Understanding Surveys and Samples



Understanding Surveys and Samples

The survey is defined as research conducted on a sample of subject's representative of a wider group, using standardized procedures of interrogation in order to obtain quantitative measurements of a variety of objective and subjective characteristics of the population. However, in the world of education, and given the relationship between open systems, you cannot avoid using diagnostic assessment linked to, the needs analysis and the search and storage.

The characteristics of the survey

The survey is a direct observation of the facts, but through what they reveal stakeholders. The method is ready for research. Allows an application by a massive sampling system can be extended universally. It allows social research reaches the subjective aspects of the members of society.

The universality of the survey

Virtually all social phenomena can be studied through surveys. First surveys are one of the few techniques available for studying the activities, values, beliefs and motives. There are experimental studies initially known variables involved and by the survey, either by questionnaires or interviews makes it possible to determine the variables of the study. Second, survey techniques are adapted to all kinds of information and any population. Surveys can retrieve information about events that occurred to respondents and to standardize the data for later analysis, obtaining large amounts of data at a low price and in a short time.

Surveys can be performed on the total population or a representative part of it which we call sample. Except for the whole population studies, surveys are often conducted on a representative sample.

Steps to take a survey

Let's break down in broad outline the steps followed in conducting a survey, in order to give an overview.

A project

Define the purpose of the survey, formulating precise objectives to be achieved, crumbling the research problem, eliminating the superfluous and focus the survey content, defining, if possible, the variables involved and designing the sample. It includes the presentation of results and the costs of the investigation. In short, the first step is to conduct a project where the formulation of the problem involved, and the result will then steps to get the results.

Develop mechanisms for data search

The wording of the questionnaire is crucial in the development of an investigation must be done carefully and tested before being passed to the representative sample of the population. Elsewhere in this text we see the ...