Course

A systematic approach to understanding trade-offs when designing and remodeling social surveys

This course is for anyone involved in the design of survey research and exploring alternative modes of data collection.
Register online via the NCRM website
  • Event time:
    24th May 2023 09:00 – 25th May 2023 17:00
  • Format:
    online

In this online course, colleagues from NatCen's Centre for Social Survey Transformation will outline a comprehensive framework for understanding the trade-offs involved in designing and remodelling social surveys. Our framework is rooted in the Total Survey Error and Total Survey Quality approaches, balancing the need to reduce sources of error against the constraints of a project, time and costs. Through real-life examples and case studies, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different research designs, with a focus on mixed-mode surveys, and the key steps involved in making informed decisions and remodelling surveys.

This course is for anyone involved in the design of survey research and will be particularly relevant for those who are running an existing survey and exploring alternative modes of data collection.

The course covers:

  • Theoretical frameworks and their applications in optimal survey design
  • The risks of measurement and selection effects
  • Advantages and disadvantages of various research designs, with a focus on mixed-mode surveys
  • Trade-offs in designing and remodelling social surveys
  • Key steps in making informed decisions when designing and remodelling surveys

By the end of the course participants will:

  • Be familiar with the application of the Total Survey Error and Total Quality frameworks for optimal survey design
  • Improve their research design skills and their ability to evaluate and critique existing designs
  • Have a better knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of different research designs, with a focus on mixed-mode surveys
  • Understand the trade-offs involved in designing and remodelling social surveys
  • Understand the key steps involved in designing and remodelling social surveys

Pre-requisites:

Participants need familiarity with the design of survey research, either through coursework or work experience. A basic understanding of quantitative research methods, and survey concepts is expected. No experience with data analysis software is required for this course.

Cost:

This course is hosted by the National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM). The fee per teaching day is £30 per day for students / £60 per day for staff working for academic institutions, Research Councils and other recognised research institutions, registered charity organisations and the public sector / £100 per day for all other participants. In the event of cancellation by the delegate, a full refund of the course fee is available up to two weeks prior to the course. NO refunds are available after this date. If it is no longer possible to run a course due to circumstances beyond its control, NCRM reserves the right to cancel the course at its sole discretion at any time prior to the event. In this event every effort will be made to reschedule the course. If this is not possible or the new date is inconvenient a full refund of the course fee will be given. NCRM shall not be liable for any costs, losses or expenses that may be incurred as a result of its cancellation of a course, including but not limited to any travel or accommodation costs. The University of Southampton’s Online Store T&Cs also continue to apply.

Instructors

  • Shane Howe
    Research Director
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    Shane Howe is a Research Director based in the Centre for Social Survey Transformation. His experience focuses on quantitative methods with an emphasis on survey and questionnaire design. He has worked on several large-scale cross-sectional household surveys, including the English Housing Survey, Taking Part and British Social Attitudes.

    He has recently been part of several projects which aim to understand the impact of shifting modes on survey data and minimise disruption to trend series data. Recently he has helped to transition the British Social Attitudes questionnaire from face-to-face data collection to online and telephone assisted interviewing. In addition to this, he has also played a leading role in developing the National Travel Attitudes Study, a multi-mode panel study on behalf of the Department for Transport, using both web and telephone interviews.

    Shane’s main interests reside in questionnaire design and improving the user experience for respondents in a self-completion environment.

  • Eva Aizpurua
    Research Director
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    Eva Aizpurua, PhD, is an experienced survey methodologist with a broad range of experience across academia, the private sector, and non-profit organizations. As a Research Director at NatCen, she focuses on developing optimal designs for social surveys undergoing remodelling. Previously, Eva worked as a Research Scientist on the Demography & Survey Science team at Meta. She has also held Research Fellow positions at the European Social Survey Headquarters and Trinity College Dublin, and was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Northern Iowa. Eva currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief for Survey Practice.