Survey Research Methods

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Juris Doctor

The course objectives for this are as follows: ● Identify and select the appropriate survey methodology for any research project by taking into account the research questions, the design of the study, the sample, and limitations of survey research methods. ● Operationalize the study research questions into survey questions using current best practices for design by mode, and gain the ability to evaluate the quality of a survey instrument. ● Understand and practice the implementation of the various survey methods, including instrument design by mode, data collection, coding and data processing, analysis, and writing. ● Identify sources of bias and error that occur in each stage of the survey research process. ● Identify issues around ethics in survey research, including awareness of vulnerable populations and socio-economic and cultural differences. This course takes students through the stages of designing and conducting a survey research project, including the selection of the sample, design of the survey instrument, understanding survey mode (paper, telephone, in-person, web, and mixed modes) by sample and with regard to survey design features, conducting and managing survey data collection, coding and analyzing data, and writing of the findings by audience-type. The course will cover sources of error and bias in survey research, limitations of this methodology, and ethics in human subject research, including vulnerable populations and socio-economic and cultural differences. The course allows students to apply and master survey research through readings, discussions, and practice.