Surveys
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 1.3.3
Surveys
Surveys are used to collect primary quantitative data from large groups of people. They are usually carried out using structured questionnaires or interviews.
Surveys
- Surveys are used to collect primary quantitative data from large groups of people.
- They are usually carried out using structured questionnaires or interviews.
Generalisability
- Surveys aim to be representative and generalisable to wider populations, and not just the people studied.
- To do this, sociologists collect information from a smaller representative group, drawn from the whole survey population.
- A sample will not be representative if it is too small or if the sampling frame (the list of names of all the those included in the survey population) is not complete.
Carrying out a survey
- Decide on a hypothesis (an idea, theory or question to investigate).
- Operationalise concepts – put an abstract idea or theory into a form that is measurable.
- Conduct a pilot study – a small-scale practice survey so that the researcher can highlight any unforeseen problems.
Sampling Methods
Surveys are used to collect primary quantitative data from large groups of people. They are usually carried out using structured questionnaires or interviews.
Generalisability
- Surveys aim to be representative and generalisable to wider populations, and not just the people studied.
- To do this, sociologists collect information from a smaller representative group, drawn from the whole survey population.
- A sample will not be representative if it is too small or if the sampling frame (the list of names of all the those included in the survey population) is not complete.
Sampling methods
- Random sampling:
- Every individual in the survey population has an equal chance of being picked out for investigation.
Systematic sampling
- Systematic sampling:
- Names are selected from the sampling frame at regular intervals until the desired size is reached.
Stratified random sampling
- Stratified random sampling:
- The sampling frame is subdivided (stratified) into a number of smaller sampling frames based on particular characteristics (e.g. gender, social class).
- A random sample is then taken from this frame.
Quota sampling
- Quota sampling:
- The survey population is stratified and interviewers then find a quota of people who fit the criteria.
Snowball sampling
- Snowball sampling:
- Used when a sample of a sampling frame is hard to obtain.
- The researcher identifies a small number of people with desired characteristics and asks them to introduce them to other people who might be willing to cooperate.
Test yourself on Surveys
Carrying Out a Survey
What type of sampling is used when a sample of a sampling frame is hard to obtain?
In which sampling method would researchers select names from the sampling frame at regular intervals until the desired size is reached?