Survey Studies

• Survey Studies
• Are investigations in which self-report data are collected from samples with the purpose of describing populations on some variable(s) of interest.
• Surveys have probably been conducted as long as humankind has been in existence.
• Accounts of surveys are recorded in the bible and in other historical books. Probably everyone who is reading this material has been involved in some type of survey.
• The ability to generalize sample results to the population of interest depends on the sampling method. Probability sampling techniques and adequate sample sizes are very important in survey research. 1
• Many disciplines, especially the social sciences, have used survey research.
• The ability to generalize sample results to the population of interest depends on the sampling method. Probability sampling techniques and adequate sample sizes are very important in survey research.
• Many disciplines, especially the social sciences, have used survey research.
• Surveys generally ask subjects to report their attitudes, opinions, perceptions, or behaviors.
• A nurse researcher might use survey to gather data on the health needs of clients, their sleep patterns, or their perceptions of the nursing care they have received.
• Surveys generally ask subjects to report their attitudes, opinions, perceptions, or behaviors. 2
• A nurse researcher might use survey to gather data on the health needs of clients, their sleep patterns, or their perceptions of the nursing care they have received. 3
• Surveys generally ask subjects to report their attitudes, opinions, perceptions, or behaviors.
• A nurse researcher might use survey to gather data on the health needs of clients, their sleep patterns, or their perceptions of the nursing care they have received.
• Surveys generally ask subjects to report their attitudes, opinions, perceptions, or behaviors.
• A nurse researcher might use survey to gather data on the health needs of clients, their sleep patterns, or their perceptions of the nursing care they have received.
• Surveys may be conducted by phone, mail, the internet, or through personal contact with the subjects.
• The most common data collection techniques used in survey research are questionnaires and interviews.
• In surveys, participants may be studied using a cross-sectional or a longitudinal approach.
• In a cross-sectional survey, subjects are studied at one point in time. Longitudinal surveys follow subjects over an extended period of time.
• One of the chief virtues of survey research is its ability to provide accurate information on populations, using relatively small samples.
• Another advantage of survey research concerns the large amount of data that can be obtained rather quickly and with minimal cost.

• Setting for research
• Research may be classified as laboratory or field studies, according to the setting in which the study is conducted.
• In laboratory studies , subjects are studied in a special environment created by the researcher.
• Although laboratory studies are not always highly standardized, the investigator usually attempts to control the research environment as much as possible.
• Field studies are conducted “in the field “or in a real-life situation, where not as much control can be maintained
• Although laboratory studies are not always highly standardized, the investigator usually attempts to control the research environment as much as possible.
• Field studies are conducted “in the field “or in a real-life situation, where not as much control can be maintained
• Simulation studies are considered to be laboratory studies.
• In a simulation study, the researcher might measure subjects responses to descriptions of case studies that are intended to represent real-life situations
• The control of the environment in this situation is through the researcher s descriptions of the events in the case studies.
• A research study receives the classification of field study when conducted in a real –life setting
• Phenomena are studied in the natural environments in which they occur.
• Most nursing research has been conducted in the field.
• The field approach is particularly appropriate for the nurse researcher because nursing is a practice discipline

Critiquing quantitative research designs

• It may be very difficult for the reader to determine if an appropriate design has been used in study.
• As said previously , critiquing is not easy! Advanced research knowledge may be necessary to make an accurate determination of the appropriateness of a study design.
• However, the beginning research or critic can make some overall evaluations of design section of a research report.
• resents criteria for evaluation quantitative research design.
• The entire research report must be read before a determination can be made of whether the research design is appropriate for the study.
• The major consideration when critiquing a study design concerns the ability of the study design to test the hypothesis or answer the research question(s).
• IS the researcher trying to determine a cause-and effect relationship or describe a phenomenon from the point of view of the research subject?
• The research design determines how much controls the researcher has over the research situation.
• The reader of a research report must determine the purpose of the study and what the researcher hoped to add body of knowledge on the selected phenomenon or phenomena.
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