Survey research is a quantitative method whereby a researcher poses some set of predetermined questions to an entire group, or sample, of individuals. Survey research is an especially useful approach when a researcher aims to describe or explain the features of a very large group.
This method may also be used as a way of quickly gaining some general details about one’s population of interest to help prepare for a more focused, in-depth study using time-intensive methods such as in-depth interviews or field research. In this case, a survey may help a researcher identify specific individuals or locations from which to collect additional data.
As is true of all methods of data collection, survey research is better suited to answering some kinds of research question more than others.
These questions form the core of a survey and are used to gather numerical data to determine statistical results. The data collected from surveys is then statistically analyzed to draw meaningful research conclusions.
Survey research is often used by researchers who wish to explain trends or features of large groups. It may also be used to assist those planning some more focused, in-depth study.
Recall some of the possible research questions you came up with. How might you frame those questions so that they could be answered using survey research?
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