GEOG 2260 Lecture Notes - Research Question, Semantic Differential, Selection Bias
11 Apr 2013
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Definition: elicit people"s views, social conditions, characteristics, behaviour, structures, attitudes/beliefs/opinions & knowledge, quantitative & qualitative, sample many respondents who answer same questions, descriptive and/or analytical. Types: mail (self-administered) questionnaire, telephone interviews, face-to-face interviews. Data: personal factual q"s (demographic, behavioural, factual q about others, structural questions, questions measuring attitudes, gauging beliefs, asking opinions, questions about knowledge. Allows creativity, self-expression, detail, clarification, unanticipated findings. Complex grid and table: make sure to avoid. Pay attention to effects of specific words/phrases. Design: keep in mind your research focus, how would you answer the question, ensure solid organizational structure, ensure logical question order, ensure clear flow and presentation, include clear instructions for answering. N for quantitative and saturation for qualitative. Communication between survey instrument, researcher respondent: non-response errors. Rates vary (10-50% mail & 90% in person) Wording issues to avoid (choice, bias, confusion, etc. ) Organizational structure (logical order, flow, presentation, clear instructions)
