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Kies de Nederlandse taal
Course module: 200500126
200500126
Conducting a Survey
Course info
Course code200500126
EC7.5
Course goals
In this course students get acquainted with different scientific theories of self-report and they will learn how to conduct their own survey, from the first stage of writing and testing the questions, via organizing the questionnaire, to sampling, coding, screening the data, analyzing the data, and writing about survey results. This course will make students better equipped for jobs as a junior researcher on (middle) large research organizations and research departments of large companies.

Relation between assessment and objective
Students learn how to interpret scientific theories and practical experiments about survey research, which will be graded in the form of an exam.
In addition they conduct their own survey, for which students need to write a research plan, synthesize information, analyze data, and report (written and orally) about their scientific research project. Knowledge on practical exercises related to analyzing data will be tested via written assignments in SPSS-practicals.

Course aims:
a. Students develop fundamental knowledge and understanding in the state of the art in survey methodology (Knowledge and Understanding)
b. They apply their knowledge in a multi-disciplinary context to contemporary problems (Applying)
c. They are able to determine the most effective research methods to address a research problem (Applying, using software to operationalize a research question and distinguishing different research strategies)
d. They are capable of autonomous scholarly self-development (Learning skills)
e. They give proof of being a responsible and scholarly professional (Learning skills)
f. They are able to advise researchers in applying the current state of the art in methodology and statistics (Judgment)
g. They are able to produce publications up to the standards of international peer-reviewed books in the survey field (Communication)
h. They are able to present on research findings and insights to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously in English (Communication)

After taking this course students are able to conduct proper survey research.
 
Testing:
The final grade is based on several assignments and an exam. Details on how the final grade is composed will be announced in the course manual.
Content
Note: Students who cannot comply with the entrance requirements mentioned below will be asked to provide further information on their eligibility. The course coordinator will decide on their eligibility.
Assumed knowledge: Multivariate statistics, factor analysis, regression analysis. Participants should be familiar with SPSS.

In nine weeks you will learn the basics of conducting your own survey. During every meeting we will treat a different aspect of survey research. The order of the meetings will be parallel to the order in which a survey is developed and conducted. The weekly lectures will cover the theoretical and statistical backgrounds of surveys. During the workshop meetings you will work on your own questionnaires, provide feedback to other students and analyze your own survey data in small groups. Topics that are discussed are amongst others: the specification of research questions, questionnaire design, cognitive laboratory, designing a sampling frame, non-response, survey modes, and dealing with incomplete data.
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Kies de Nederlandse taal