Survey Design

Prior to the live sessions held on Zoom, you will have access to introductory pre-recorded lectures, recommended readings, and self-assessment quizzes. These resources are designed to provide you with a solid foundation and enable you to prepare effectively for the course.

Throughout the live sessions, a mix of various instructional methods will be utilised. The instructor will deliver short input lectures to provide essential insights and knowledge. Interactive in-class discussions and collaborative group exercises will further reinforce your understanding of survey design and enhance your methodological skills.

Moreover, you will be encouraged to actively engage in the learning process by bringing your own survey projects and related questions to the table. The course offers a valuable opportunity for feedback and guidance on participants' individual research endeavors, fostering a hands-on and practical approach to learning.

Key topics covered

This course covers the key stages of the survey research lifecycle. It begins with fundamental questions of research design that precede data collection, followed by the implications of probability and non-probability sampling strategies. You then explore measurement techniques and learn how to translate theoretical constructs into survey questions. The course also introduces survey experiments and their potential for investigating causal relationships. Finally, you learn how to assess data quality after data collection and consider best practices for reporting research findings, sharing survey data and protecting respondents.

Day 1: Fundamentals of Research Design

Before designing a survey, fundamental decisions about the research design need to be made. This session covers cross-sectional and longitudinal survey designs and their implications for the inferences that can be drawn. It also addresses legal and ethical standards to consider before conducting a survey. Discussion of research examples helps you relate these choices to your own projects.

Day 2: Sampling Methods

You will examine probability and non-probability sampling designs and survey modes, including face-to-face, telephone and online surveys. You will discuss their strengths and limitations, alongside approaches to encouraging participation, such as incentives. Group exercises explore the implications of sampling and recruitment choices for practical research.

Day 3: Measurement Techniques and Questionnaire Design

You will explore measurement techniques and how questionnaire design can influence measured outcomes. The session introduces criteria and tools for evaluating survey questions, including pretesting, and examines examples of effective and problematic practice. Practical exercises give you opportunities to assess and improve question wording and response options.

Day 4: Survey Experiments

This session introduces survey experiments as a means of investigating causal relationships and the effects of specific interventions. You will learn how to design experiments that can be embedded in surveys, from simple randomisations to more complex factorial designs. Research examples and group exercises help you apply these approaches to substantive questions.

Day 5: Data Quality Assessment and Best Practices for Dissemination

On the final session of the course, you will learn about the criteria of data quality and approaches to addressing potential biases after data collection, including post-stratification weights. You will discuss practical examples of data quality problems and possible responses. The course concludes with guidelines for reporting survey research and best practices for data sharing and data protection.

Post-course assignment

For the additional ECTS credit, you will develop a short survey proposal, including a draft questionnaire, on your own topic or an example topic.

Prerequisite knowledge

While some familiarity with survey research and quantitative methods may be beneficial, they are not required for participation and the successful completion of the course.

Before the course

Readings will be available in advance. Allow around 3–5 hours for an initial overview, focusing on the topics that interest you most. The wider reading list provides further material to explore in more depth during or after the course.

Learning commitment

The course includes three hours of live teaching each day for five days, alongside readings and other learning activities.

Once you have registered and paid, you will receive access to our Learning Management System (LMS) approximately two weeks before the course start date. Course materials, including pre-course readings, will be available here. Allow approximately 20 hours per week before the course to review the materials and complete readings and any pre-course tasks.

During the course week, you should allow approximately two to three hours per day for preparation and assignments, in addition to the live teaching sessions.

The course offers the opportunity to earn three ECTS credits. To earn a fourth credit, you will need to complete a post-course assignment involving approximately 25 hours of work.

Disclaimer

This course description may be subject to subsequent adaptations (e.g. taking into account new developments in the field, participant demands, group size, etc.). Registered participants will be informed at the time of change.

By registering for this course, you confirm that you possess the knowledge required to follow it. The instructor will not teach prerequisite items. If in doubt, please contact us before registering.