Survey Methods and Online Research

SOST70043 Survey Methods and Online Research 20 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Alexandru Cernat Unit coordinator Social Statistics 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 10.0 This unit aims to introduce students to the principles of survey design for large and small-scale surveys and its contextualised application in academia, public and private sectors. It is intended to help students develop robust theoretical and practical foundations relating to the process of planning, designing, and conducting a survey, and the practical aspects of survey methodology, including ethical considerations. The course will likewise place emphasis on different sampling strategies, survey methodologies, the impact of challenging factors on survey data quality, as well as techniques to address these factors.  This unit aims to introduce students to the principles of survey design for large and small-scale surveys and its contextualised application in academia, public and private sectors. It is intended to help students develop robust theoretical and practical foundations relating to the process of planning, designing, and conducting a survey, and the practical aspects of survey methodology, including ethical considerations. The course will likewise place emphasis on different sampling strategies, survey methodologies, the impact of challenging factors on survey data quality, as well as techniques to address these factors.  The unit aims to: Introduce students to survey and survey methodology (online and in the field), including sampling techniques, data collection, questionnaire design, measurement error, and estimations.  · Recognise the importance of conceptual and theory-driven survey designs;  · Summarise ethical considerations associated with survey design and implementation;  · Define key terminology utilised in survey design;  · Outline factors which influence data quality;  · Differentiate between sampling techniques and methods;  · Discuss the importance of measurement error and estimation;  · Describe the interconnected relationship amongst the different steps and components of survey research in the social sciences.  · Assess suitability of and make evidence-based judgements about sampling techniques in the context of different research questions;  · Evaluate survey questionnaires in the context of different survey designs;  · Ability to critically assess the quality of surveys and survey data;  · Specify well-reasoned arguments for selecting post-survey processing and estimation methods.  · Design and plan a survey (online and in the field);  · Create questionnaires to collect suitable information for specific research questions, taking into considerations limiting factors for different types of designs.   · Prepare a survey proposal;  · Formulate, organise, express, and communicate evidence-based opinions effectively.  The course unit will consist of asynchronous videos, interactive activities, and guided online readings. In addition, there will be frequent synchronous sessions such as seminars and tutorials. The course will include quizzes for which they will receive formative feedback to consolidate their theoretical knowledge. Students will be required to complete two summative assignments. The first assignment will involve developing a survey design proposal. The second assignment will build upon the first, whereby students will critically appraise a pre-existing survey utilising knowledge obtained from the formative quizzes, the assessed proposal, and other material taught throughout the course unit. Students will also be provided with additional materials such as assigned readings, video demonstrations, and other individual and group activities to supplement their learning.  0 Other 100% Quizzes x8   (non-assessed, 10 questions each) Survey Proposal (1500 words, 40%) Survey Design Critique and Analysis (2500 words, 60%)  Automatic online feedback for the quizzes. Online feedback on assessments within 15 working days.  N Clark, T., Foster, L., Sloan, L. and Bryman, A. (2021). Bryman's Social Research Methods. 6th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.  Blaikie, N. and Priest, J. (2018) Designing Social Research: The Logic of Anticipation. 3rd Edition, Cambridge: Polity. Groves, R.M., Fowler, F.J. Jr., Couper, M.P., Lepkowski, J.M., Singer, E., and Tourangeau, R. (2009). Survey Methodology, 2nd Edition. New York: Wiley.  Kalton, G. (1983). An Introduction to Survey Sampling. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications. For Information and advice on Link2Lists reading list software, see: <a href="http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/academicsupport/informationandadviceonlink2listsreadinglistsoftware/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">http://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/academicsupport/informationandadviceonlink2listsreadinglistsoftware/</a>   0 0 173 There will be no on-campus contact hours and learning will take place fully online. Contact time – 27 hours