"This book lays out the essential information about commonly used designs for the reader. The presentation of extremely complicated and technical information is excellent. The exercises are very valuable to use in the classroom as they will help to reinforce the learning of design principles."
--Kathleen Sexton-Radek, Elmhurst College
Which survey design should you select and use for your survey? For what purpose do you want to use your survey---to describe, compare, or predict attitudes, knowledge or behavior? In this book, the author provides lots of examples and explanations of the major features of high-quality survey systems. Guidelines are provided for experimental and observational designs of surveys, as well as for cross-sectional, cohort and case-control designs. In addition, the author provides checklists of risks to avoid for internal and external validity of a design. New to this edition is coverage of descriptive and experimental factorial designs.
How to Design Survey Studies: Learning Objectives
Ch 1. Useful Surveys
Features of Well-Designed Survey Studies
Measurable Objectives
Sound Research Design
Reliable and Valid Instruments
Appropriate Analysis
Accurate Reporting
Accurate Reporting
Checklist of Questions to Ask When Choosing a Survey Design
Ch 2. Classification of Designs for Survey Studies
Experiments
Concurrent Controls and Random Assignment
Guidelines for Experimental Designs Involving Randomly Assigned Concurrent Controls
Concurrent Controls but No Random Assignment
Self-Controls
Historical Controls
Combinations
Descriptions (or Observations)
Cross-sectional Designs
Cohort Designs
Case-Control Designs
Internal and External Validity
Internal Invalidity: Checklist of Risks to Avoid
External Invalidity: Checklist of Risks to Avoid
Nine Commonly Used Study Designs
Exercises
Answers
Suggested Readings
Glossary
About the Author
