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9: Survey Research

DOI:

10.1891/9781617050992.0009

Authors

  • Harrington, Amanda Leigh, MD

Abstract

This chapter presents survey research methods and important considerations for conducting survey studies. Survey research is an organized method of obtaining data from research participants via written, electronic, or oral questioning, which can be analyzed to reach conclusions about the question being investigated within a sample of the population. Information gained from survey studies can lead to improved understanding of human response to chronic illness, disability, therapeutic interventions, and long-term outcomes. Survey responses may be used to collect quantitative or qualitative data on a topic of interest. Surveys are a type of descriptive research that allows unique information to be obtained that is not available via other research methods. The chapter describes strengths, weaknesses and strategies related to survey research. These strategies include sample; controls; procedure for conducting survey research; formulation of survey questionnaire and methods of data collection.