Surveys

Surveys

1. Uses

   • To collect primary quantitative data from large groups
   • They are usually carried out using structured questionnaires or interviews

2. Generalisability

   • Surveys aim to be representative and generalisable to wider populations, 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 is not complete

3. Carrying out a survey

   • 1. Decide on a hypothesis
   • 2. Operationalise concepts (put an abstract idea or theory into a form that is measurable)
   • 3. Conduct a pilot study (a small scale practice survey so that the researcher can highlight any unforeseen problems)

4. Sampling Methods

   • Random sampling: every individual in the survey population has an equal chance of being picked out for the investigation
   • Systematic sampling: names are selected from the sample frame at regular intervals until the desired size is reached
   • Stratified random sampling: the sampling frame is subdivided (stratified) into a number of smaller sampling frames based on particular characteristics. A random sample is then taken from this frame
   • Quota sampling: the survey population is stratified and interviewers then find a quota of people who fit the criteria
   • Snowball sampling: used when a ample of a sampling frame is hard to obtain- the researcher identifies a small number of people with desired characteristics and asks them to ask other people who might be willing to take part