by Freya Sonenstein ¹

• ¹ The Johns Hopkins University

This Online Course examines issues in Survey Research Design.

Course Description

Leads participants through the process of designing their own survey. Examines the major decisions faced by a health researcher who wants to design and implement a survey. Explores the potential sources of bias associated with alternative approaches to sample design, respondent recruitment, data collection methods (interviews in-person or by telephone, computer assisted interviews, or mail surveys) instrument design, and field administration. Participants prepare a defensible proposal for a survey that they would like to conduct. Emphasizes population surveys, but not exclusively so.

Course Objectives

Upon successfully completing this course, students are able to:

• Identify primary sources of error in surveys, and discuss the consequences of each type of error for survey findings
• Critically evaluate the design, construction and implications of studies based on survey research
• Formulate strategies for surveys that minimize error
• Critically evaluate the design, construction, and implications of surveys