Surveys

Definition

Surveys are a research method used to collect information from a sample of individuals in order to gain insights about a larger population. They involve systematically asking questions to gather data on people's attitudes, behaviors, opinions, and experiences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Surveys are a widely used research method in psychology because they allow for the collection of data from a large number of people in a relatively efficient and cost-effective manner.
2. Surveys can be administered in various formats, including online, by mail, over the phone, or in person, depending on the research objectives and target population.
3. The design of survey questions is crucial, as the wording, order, and response options can significantly influence the quality and reliability of the data collected.
4. Surveys can provide valuable insights into people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which can inform decision-making and guide further research in psychology.
5. Ethical considerations are important in survey research, such as ensuring participant confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, and minimizing the potential for harm or bias.

Review Questions

• Explain how surveys can be used to gain insights about a larger population in the context of psychological research.
  • Surveys allow researchers to collect data from a sample of individuals that is representative of a larger population. By asking a set of standardized questions to this sample, researchers can then make inferences about the attitudes, behaviors, and experiences of the broader population. This is particularly useful in psychology, where surveys can provide valuable insights into human thoughts, feelings, and decision-making that can inform theories, interventions, and policy decisions.
• Describe the key considerations in designing effective survey questions for psychological research.
  • The wording, order, and response options of survey questions can significantly impact the quality and reliability of the data collected. Researchers must carefully craft questions that are clear, unbiased, and relevant to the research objectives. They must also consider the cognitive and social factors that can influence how respondents interpret and respond to the questions, such as social desirability bias, question framing, and the use of Likert scales. Additionally, the survey format (e.g., online, paper-and-pencil) can affect the way respondents engage with the questions and the data collected.
• Evaluate the ethical considerations involved in conducting survey research in psychology, and explain how researchers can address these concerns.
  • Ethical considerations are crucial in survey research, as it involves collecting personal information from human participants. Researchers must ensure that participants provide informed consent, understand the purpose and potential risks of the study, and have their confidentiality and privacy protected. This may involve measures such as anonymizing data, securing data storage, and providing clear information about how the data will be used. Researchers must also be mindful of potential biases or harms that could arise from the survey questions or the way the survey is administered, and take steps to mitigate these issues. Adhering to ethical guidelines and principles of beneficence, respect for persons, and justice is essential in conducting responsible and meaningful survey research in psychology.

Related terms

Questionnaire: A set of questions designed to gather information from respondents, which is a key component of survey research.

Sample: A subset of a population that is selected to participate in a survey, allowing researchers to make inferences about the larger group.

Response Rate: The percentage of people in a survey sample who actually complete and return the survey, which can impact the reliability of the data.