Applied Survey Methods for Health Care Professionals
AGENDA
Description:
This tutorial-based course focuses on practical issues related to the design, development, conduct, management, and analysis of surveys. Students will apply the knowledge gained in this course to the construction of a survey questionnaire and the preparation of a survey research proposal. The course will cover a variety of survey methods including mailed surveys, web surveys, telephone surveys, and mixed-mode surveys as well as issues related to questionnaire design, sampling, pilot testing, survey implementation, data collection, data management, data analysis, and ethics. This course should interest health care professionals who plan to use survey methods to collect information and/or want to increase their competency in critically evaluating survey research.
Objectives:
To identify a health research question/topic suitable for survey research
To construct a survey questionnaire
To design a survey appropriate for the selected research topic
To examine and understand the strengths and limitations of various survey methods
To demonstrate an understanding of questionnaire development, pilot testing, survey implementation, data collection, data management, data analysis, and the peer-review grant application process
To understand ethical issues related to survey research
Format:
Each week students will be assigned readings and specific activities/problems that require preparation prior to the tutorial session. The tutorial sessions will be largely interactive so students can explore, expand upon, and apply the information provided in the readings. The course is built on the philosophy of self-directed, small group learning. Students will have the opportunity to learn from each other and the course instructor.
Evaluation:
Tutorial Performance: 10%
Questionnaire Construction: 30%
Final Paper: 40%
Presentation:10%
Critique a student’s final paper: 10%
Reading(s): Dillman DA, Smyth JD, Christian LM. Internet, Phone, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method, 4th Edition. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2014
