Survey design/Before designing a survey

It can be very tempting to press ahead with designing a survey. But first, be clear about the purpose of the study and the research methodology.



Before designing a survey, develop a research proposal which clearly explains the:
 * 1) research purpose
 * 2) research questions
 * 3) hypotheses
 * 4) Research design: Experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental
 * 5) Sampling method
 * 6) Target constructs - operationally define the:
 * 7) independent variables
 * 8) dependent variables

Have the research proposal peer reviewed and modify as appropriate. Before designing a survey, it is helpful, and generally recommended, to clearly establish a research proposal and to get this proposal peer-reviewed (and/or reviewed by a supervisor). Investment in developing the proposal is generally returned many-fold.

The seven Ps apply to survey design: Prior preparation and planning prevents piss-poor performance.

Poor research results and conclusions emerge from poor data, which is often due to poor survey design. Hence, a well-conducted survey research project should exhibit:
 * clarity in the project's purposes (and specific research questions and hypotheses)
 * careful development of well-worded questions with appropriate response formats and/or
 * a well designed and implemented sampling method