Surveys
- In a paragraph or more, summarize the section titled, “Topics Appropriate for Survey Research’ (pages 254-255]
French workers conducted the earliest form of the survey in 1880, where the researcher sent 25000 questionnaires to employees, and none was returned (Babbie, 254). In present-day survey research is applied as a mode of observation in social sciences where researchers select sample respondents and circulate a questionnaire (Babbie, 254). The topics that are descriptive, explanatory, and exploratory are appropriate for survey purposes. It is the best form of research for where original data is collected without observing the entire population that usually large. Babbie (254) noted that the surveys are suitable to measure attitudes, orientations, and public opinion polls, including many people. Efficient sampling ensures that selected respondents have characteristics that reflect the correct features of the larger population (Babbie, 254). On the other hand, when the questionnaires are carefully structured and standardized, they bring appropriate respondents’ data. Some surveys are scientifically unsound, which creates a negative public attitude towards public opinion and surveys (Babbie, 255).
- In a paragraph or more, summarize the section titled “Guidelines for Asking Questions” [pages 255-262].
The use of variables is vital for social researchers to formulate and ask questions to get the required data for subsequent analysis and interpretation (Babbie, 255). They can be written down, and respondents write back, or the interviewer can ask the questions. The guidelines are essential to ensure that user data is retrieved from the questionnaires. Researchers must select appropriate items forms either by use of questions or statements. Statements can be used when the researcher brings up an issue using brief information and asks respondents whether they agree on disagree (Babbie, 256). Open-ended and closed questions can be used to ensure enough data is collected for analysis. Other important guidelines include making the questionnaire items clear, avoiding using double-barreled questions to avoid misleading respondents, and ensuring questions are relevant to the research topic. The respondents sampled by researchers have to be competent and willing to answer the questions to ensure that candid responses are collected (Babbie, 259). Additionally, items have to be short and precise, with zero negativity or any form of bias (Babbie, 260).
- In a paragraph or more, summarize the section titled “Questionnaire Construction” [pages 262-264]
Questionnaires are essential in carrying out surveys in social research (Babbie, 262). The questionnaire format is vital to ensure that the wording and nature of questions asked to achieve the main objective of data collection. The questionnaires should be spread out and designed appropriately to spread out the questions (Babbie, 262). The formats adopted in the questionnaire should have a few errors and be precise for all respondents. A specific layout has to be adopted in the questionnaire to ensure respondents offer their responses. Most questionnaires use boxes and brackets as the best format to give their feedback (Babbie, 263). The structure should provide instructions for the respondents to skip questions that are not relevant to them and answer only relevant questions.
- In a paragraph or more, summarize the section titled “Strengths and Weaknesses of Survey Research” [pages 287-288]
Like other research methods in social research, the use of surveys has strengths and weaknesses. The surveys are helpful to researchers when tackling large populations because it samples out respondents with characteristics similar to those of the people. The surveys make large population research feasible and make the process flexible by asking many questions (Babbie, 287). Standardized questionnaires can be measured appropriately to attain the research goals.
The main weakness is that standardization of questionnaires results in complicating questions that end up being inappropriate to some respondents. Important aspects may be missed by researchers when structuring the questionnaires. Another weakness is that surveys rarely deal with social life issues because researchers are only interested in the data (Babbie, 287). Surveys are also inflexible, and respondents’ responses remain unchanged for a long time until similar research is undertaken. The weakness of the artificiality of surveys is common when respondents have experience of earlier activities making people have conservative answers to questions.