Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/questionnaire-design
In the realm of social science research, the quality of data hinges significantly on the design of the instruments used to collect it. A poorly constructed questionnaire can lead to biased results, inaccurate conclusions, and wasted effort. Fortunately, Coursera offers a comprehensive course, ‘Questionnaire Design for Social Surveys,’ that equips learners with the essential skills to craft effective and reliable surveys.
This course delves deep into the fundamental elements of questionnaire design and evaluation. It meticulously breaks down the process of how individuals respond to questions, addressing the inherent challenges and exploring various options for eliciting accurate information, particularly concerning behavioral frequencies. The instructors provide practical techniques for evaluating existing questions, highlighting mode-specific questionnaire characteristics that can impact data quality. Furthermore, the course reviews methods of both standardized and conversational interviewing, offering a well-rounded perspective on data collection strategies.
The syllabus is thoughtfully structured, guiding learners through a logical progression of topics. We begin with an overview of standardized interviewing, understanding different question types, and the critical concepts of measurement error (bias and variance). The course then moves to the intricate ‘Response Process,’ dissecting how respondents comprehend, retrieve information, make judgments, and ultimately provide their answers.
A significant portion of the course is dedicated to ‘Asking Factual Questions,’ tackling the complexities of memory and recall, the delicate nature of sensitive questions, and the crucial considerations of mode, privacy, and confidentiality. Following this, ‘Measuring Attitudes’ explores the impact of context effects, the strategic use of different scales, the importance of ‘don’t know’ options, and the subtle influence of response order effects.
Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of the course is ‘Testing Questionnaires.’ Here, learners are introduced to robust evaluation methods, including expert reviews, focus groups, cognitive interviews, behavior coding, and various quantitative techniques. This practical emphasis ensures that participants can critically assess and refine their questionnaire designs before deployment.
Finally, ‘Putting It All Together’ provides a holistic view, guiding learners through the entire questionnaire development process from start to finish. It covers essential elements like what to include at the end of a survey, mode choice considerations for layout, and the nuances of self-administered questionnaires.
Overall, ‘Questionnaire Design for Social Surveys’ is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in social research, market research, or any field requiring the collection of reliable data through surveys. The course is delivered with clarity, offering actionable insights and practical tools. I highly recommend this course to students, researchers, and professionals looking to elevate their survey design capabilities.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/questionnaire-design