The Total Survey Error (TSE) paradigm provides a framework that supports the effective planning of research, guides decision making about data collection and contextualises the interpretation and dissemination of findings. TSE also allows researchers to systematically evaluate and improve the design and execution of ongoing survey programs and…

As part of an interview protocol investigating teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in statistics, 40 teachers were presented with a newspaper article reporting a phone-in survey about the legalisation of marijuana. The article and a question about the reliability of the sample had earlier been used in student surveys, and three student…

This paper intends to construct a survey data quality strategy for institutional researchers in higher education in light of total survey error theory. It starts with describing the characteristics of institutional research and identifying the gaps in literature regarding survey data quality issues in institutional research. Then it is followed by…

This guide to creating a survey to be administered on the Internet used Microsoft Access as the database program for the illustration. Forty-four steps in constructing the survey, including the Common Gateway Interface that moves the data collected in e-mails directly to the database, are outlined. The example developed by researchers at the…

Work performed during the 1978-1980 SAGE contract to develop improved national estimates from survey data is reported. Three areas of effort are covered in this paper: (1) the use of longitudinal merges combined with relational edits to detect reporting or encoding errors; (2) the use of longitudinal merges together with special follow-up surveys…

Errors in methodology occur regularly in the conduct of surveys for educational research. This paper discusses some of these errors and alternatives. In the area of survey design, errors are common in: (1) missed opportunities in attitude scale planning; (2) blunders in item construction; (3) missed opportunities in item construction; (4) blunders…

Many different techniques have been used to increase response rates to surveys. In this study, Federal Express overnight service was used to test the effectiveness of express mail in stimulating response to a mail survey of 132 physicians. The sample was randomly split into two groups. One group received the initial mailing by Federal Express…

The popularity of sample surveys in evaluation and research makes it necessary for consumers to tell a good survey from a poor one. Several sources were identified that gave advice on how to evaluate a sample design used in a survey study. The sources are either too limited or too extensive to be useful practically. The purpose of this paper is to…

This paper describes the methodology used in a research study involving the collection of data through a Web-based survey, focusing on the advantages and limitations of the methodology. The Teacher motivation and Job Satisfaction Survey was administered to K-12 teachers. Many of the difficulties occurred during the planning phase, as opposed to…

This paper discusses the advantages and limitations of administering a survey questionnaire via the Internet (i.e., using both Web-based and e-mail platforms). It also addresses particular issues faced by one researcher as a reflection on the use of this methodology. Highlighted are problems associated with the use of listservs, e-mail addresses,…

The study investigated the use of the electronic mail capability of Special Net (an online database) as a data collection instrument. A series of seven questions relating to adult education for the handicapped personnel preparation programs was posted to Special Net users. Five of 40 users responded to the question on-line. A followup…

Describes the workings of a simple two-way table of employment status by sex and extends this table to include school enrollment status by sex, race, and high school graduation status using logistic regression techniques. (JOW)

This paper is designed to identify effective methods and to lay out steps that can be used in a customer feedback survey process. In order for the results of any customer survey to stimulate useful changes in an organization, it is essential that the support of key players be present from the beginning. Developing a customer feedback process is a…

When survey data are statistically analyzed, many times some of the data is missing. If the missing values are not correctly handled, results of the analysis may be dubious and publication may jeopardize the credibility of the organization preparing the report. This study examined four of the more commonly used methods of handling missing data.…

Using data collected through telephone interviews with a national sample of adults, this study searched for evidence as to whether interviewers have stronger effects on the responses given to a wide range of questions by older people than on the responses of younger people. Responses to 30 items for which significant interviewer effects had…