Surveys
Introduction
There are many studies undertaken by various scholars in trying to shed light to certain phenomenon as well as bringing solution to the problems. It requires many preparations in order to come up with the generalized and readily accepted findings to the mass. This will be due to their reliability as they cut all across the board from their nature of representativeness. For any study to be valid, it must follow some steps and consequential stages that give it the integrity and the degree of acceptance. In many studies conducted, the critical things are always to know what the researcher wants to explore in the research. Because of this, researches dealing with business has to identify the requirements by their clients same to politicians whose researches has to address the requirements of the public. Companies that carry out researches aim at knowing the attitudes of their stakeholders hence calling for a proper use of surveys.
Surveys have become one of the key concepts of conducting research studies as many organizations as well as researchers rely on them heavily. This is because they encompass procedures, which involves asking questions to the respondents and giving feedback, which helps in solving the research problem. There are different forms of survey that are used by researchers in their data collection. Similarly, different survey techniques have different strengths and weaknesses, which researchers must look into when settling on the methodology or data collection material to adopt. However, the most used type of survey research techniques are questionnaires and interviews. They are chose depending on the objective of the researcher since they have different application. This paper will discuss the use of survey in conducting educational research by outlining their weaknesses and strengths as well as their application.
Use of Surveys
Most researches dealing with education have resorted to the use of survey in their data collection. This is because of the perceived usefulness of the technique in capturing large number of participants, which also reflects on its efficiencies. On the other hand, the use of survey research has its weaknesses in data collection because it does not give reliable data in controversial issues. It becomes difficult for people to adopt a common ground because of different opinions. Researchers chose survey method to other available methods because of the strengths it has in providing solutions in certain circumstances. Similarly, different research problems call for different research tools that can capture the data, as they are required (Allen, 1995). The subsequent paragraphs will outline the strengths and weaknesses of using survey as a data collection tool in educational research.
Weaknesses of Survey as Research tools
Surveys display inflexible design that makes it difficult in changing in the process of the survey. It makes it impossible for the researcher to make changes to the design once it has been used hence being inflexible to the respondent and to the researcher. Although the rigidity portrays itself as a weakness by many researchers, it may sometimes act as strength in promoting preciseness of the data collected. This may bring fairness in the whole process when all the respondents use the same data collection tool. The inflexibility of the survey may lead to the invalidity of the data incase there was error which went unnoticed. Similarly, changing it after the start of the research may compromise the data collected when different participants responds to different survey tools (Pinsonneault, 2000). It will lead to the mix-up of questions and responses hence bringing miss-uniformity.
The use of survey is not ideal in collecting information relating to controversial issues. This is because it becomes difficult for the respondents to recall information regarding those issues hence not able to relay the exact information. The truth of such information may not be re-laid using survey as compared when using other forms of data collection such as face to face and focus group discussion. Incase participants’ responds to such questions; the information given may not be truth hence witnessing cases of biases (Evans, 2005). This may compromise the situation depending on the level of information given by respondents. In such a case, the researcher needs to adopt another data collection tool, which suits the incidence.
Most research questions are standardized before they are administered to the research subjects. The research questions are modified to suit the general population with little room of flexibility. However, the questions administered may not address the participants, as they ought to be due to technicalities that may arise. This may affect the findings of the research as it lack tailoring to meet the expectations of the participants. In the end, the participants may fail to give their best or give invalidated data, which perhaps may cost the researcher. Similarly, the information may discourage the respondents hence may not feel like providing accurate and honest answers. They may also not feel comfortable at answering questions, which they do not understand. The framing of questions on the questionnaires or interviews shows the weakness of using this methodology more so when it involves participants who are illiterate.
Individual’s responses are affected by their emotions, which makes it difficult to get reliable data. In some cases of survey, the participant is required to take more of the work than the form hence does more of the work. Telephone survey will require the participant to answer the phone call same way to mail survey which requires the participant to write down his comments. This hard task may discourage participants from taking part in the study because they may feel burdened by the entire exercise. Similarly, some may be limited in their answer as in the case of phone interview making it difficult to achieve the objective.
Surveyor may be bias in some circumstances as one has the power of choosing whom he or she wants to participate in answering the questions. The sampling of participants perceived to be random may turn out to be bias when the surveyors do not use proper selection procedures. The surveyor may also be bias when asking questions to a small group of population in one side and then generalizing it to the entire study (Schmidt, 1997). Because of this selection procedure, the study will be bias hence may not present the real facts on the ground. Therefore, the selection procedure needs to be transparent and uniform to minimize chances of surveyor biases. Unequal sampling of the participants may interfere with the findings, as it will only represent a small section of the population.
Strengths of Survey as a research Tool
Many researchers prefer to use survey as a research technique in data collection because it is able to present a larger population. In most cases, survey involves large number of respondents who can be used in generalizing the findings of the research. It allows for proper selection of participants who present almost all individuals from the society. This makes it descriptive of the general population, as it is highly representative. In comparing survey method with other data gathering techniques, it is able to extract data and other information, which are nearly attributed to the general population. Its application in the education sector can be essential in establishing as well as generalizing its finding because of the high number of respondents involved. The representativeness brought by survey method makes it easier in analyzing the research statistically. It allows analysis of various variables which other research methodologies are not able hence having advantage over them (Suskie, 1996).
Many research companies as well as researchers resorts to use of survey because of its cost effectiveness. When using a survey in conducting a research, the researcher will bear only be the cost of producing questionnaires which act as data collection tool. The administering of questionnaires will not need a lot of money since it always takes place in an education setup where the researcher does not need to walk long distances. However, a researcher may introduce some incentives to motivate respondents in case of low responses from them (Evans, 2005). Largely, this cost is still low compared to other methodologies like focus group discussion where the researcher will have to pay more. Individuals who take a study using this methodology tends to use little money compare to others hence very cost effective.
Surveys provide participants with standardized stimulus hence effective for doing scientific research studies. It has a high reliability, which minimizes the researcher’s biases, as there is no observer subjectivity. Surveyors do not always take part in the research but provides the opportunities for participants to respond. This gives the respondents the independent of responding independently without the surveyor influencing his thinking to encounter biases. Similarly, the use of survey method allows for standardization of questions by spelling how questions are answered through scrutiny. Because of this, it ensures there is greater precision in terms of measuring the gathered data.
Administering surveys is very easy because it comes in a variety of ways. This makes it flexible for the researcher to choose the methodology he or she wants to use which does not inconvenient the respondent. In case of a questionnaire, there are different avenues in which it can reach the respondent among the ways being sending via email or fax. There are many studies conducted by online surveyors through e-mailing the questionnaire and sending it back to the surveyor. The researcher only needs to identify the participants to carry the online survey and do it at their own comfort (Schmidt, 1997). This makes it easier for researchers to collect data all across the globe as long as they have identified their research participants.
Application of Survey in the field of Education Research
Different researchers have used different survey methods in collecting their data. This has been because of the growth of internet, which have made some researchers to resort to the use of email surveys. By using this methodology, surveyors argue that it makes them reach different individuals across the geographical board. The use of online survey through email saves the cost and time of doing research. The use of email allows researchers to collect data and create more awareness on the ethical code of conducts (Eysenbach & Wyatt, 2002). It also respects the cultures of those using internet when conducting research hence enhancing the validity of the research findings. It also minimizes the physical and mental harm of the correspondence that comes from different socioeconomic backgrounds (Nguyen, 2007).
The use of survey research was used in measuring student’s satisfaction in online course in a study conducted by Strachota (2003). This was after students raised concerns on their satisfaction in online courses in the field of distance learning which is in the process of development. According to the research findings, online survey research findings proved as reliable, cost effective and efficient compared to other traditional methods of survey such as telephone. Additionally, the research found that there is increased learner content interaction and learner instructor interaction, which is more prominent in promoting learners online experience. The research recommended more models with rich interactive content with the presence of the instructor to make the online learning more satisfying.
Some other scholars have linked the used of survey in generating knowledge as used by athletes. According to Turocy (2002), athletes gather more information through survey as they use either questionnaire or interview techniques. For this to be effective, it requires the development of formal instruction, which ensures its success. However, there is need to validate them and ensure reliability of the instruments used such as questionnaires in the data collection. It also cautions on sampling which should be appropriate in applying the findings to a larger population.
Designed a Survey Sample
This study will use questionnaire as the sole data collection tool in gathering information on the use of smart table in Australia education system. Questionnaire best suits this study because it will allow collection of data from different respondents and for easy analysis and interpretation. The goal of this study is to identify the effectiveness of Smart Table as education tool in moderating learning. The study wants to establish how it promotes students learning culture and their interaction with their teachers. It will also outline how it contributes to improving the performances of students as it has proved in other countries (Suskie, 2004). The above information to be established are better captured when questionnaire is used as a tool in collecting data.
The target groups for this study are students and teachers in the Australian institutions. This is because they are responsible for using smart table and they readily interact in the learning process. The aim of the study is to establish the level of influence among students using Smart table and learning outcome. Students and teachers are also the target group because they are the major stakeholders in the educational sector. The study will involve administering a questionnaire to them through mailing or face-to-face depending on their availability. The questionnaire will involve simple wording for easy understanding and to convenient to the participants. Similarly, the target population will be limited to the research area and the survey be equally distributed. This will ensure there is equal representation of the data, which can be used in generalizing the findings.
Application and Analysis
There will different applications before and after the study, which finalizes the way for a valid conclusion of the research. The questionnaire will undergo a pre-test process, which involve random selection of respondents from the mapped locations of study. The pre-test will examine if the questionnaire captures the different aspects of information needed in gathering data. It will also help in identifying poor wording, errors in the questionnaire instructions, determining problems by the respondents and their unwillingness. It will be used in determining the length of time needed to complete each questionnaire. There will be pre-training of interviewers who will assist in administering questionnaires and this has to take place before taking the pre-testing. Data processing will be required in order to make it easier in the analysis. It will therefore require editing and coding as well as sorting which makes it easy when doing tabulation. Results output tabulation, report analysis and estimation methods will be applied during this stage at ensuring there is proper planning which paves way for interpretation
Data quality is an important part of validating any type of research and requires measures to ensure the information is of quality. It is always difficult to have a data free of errors in spite the numerous attempts which may be put in place hence no survey ever conducted becomes perfect. However, some measures may be taken to increases the quality of data and such quality programs will include training those administering questionnaires, editing information, testing computer programs, following up non-respondent. Other measures may include data collecting and carrying a spot check in minimizing sampling errors, which occurred during the survey process.
The reliability of quality data collected can be ensured if there is consistency in the questions. The answers should be consistent with the questions if they are of the same concerns. Sloppiness of researchers may affect the validity and quality of the data collected. Although it may be very difficult to prove validity and reliability of data, it is promising by the use of more accurate vigorous measures when conducting the study. Taking different measures into consideration when conducting study is important in coming up with reliable and valid finding.
Conclusion
Surveys researches are conducted with the ultimate aim of responding to a question, which needs an answer. It involves questioning the participants as they respond to the researcher in giving their take concerning the phenomenon in question. Over the years, researchers have used a survey technique in the field of educational research to pave more way for subsequent researches concerning the same. Survey technique applied in conducting a study on how to improve online learning among distance learners and it proved to be successful in showing the relation of learner-instructor and learner-materials concerning performances. Other researches had also used survey in educational matters, which proved successful at long run in data collection.
Most researches resort to using survey in educational researches because of its perceived strengths compared with other techniques. Survey method is effective because it is representative hence allowing data e gathering all across the participant’s backgrounds. The high number of participants represents the larger population hence being even in representing every location. It also requires little money to conduct survey since one only needs to meet the cost of producing material. Data collection is convenient to the respondents since research tools can be sent to them wherever they are across the globe. Despite all the strength of survey technique, it has some shortcomings, which render it ineffective at some points. For instance, it is inflexible because it does not allow changes to be made more so in the case of questionnaires. Making changes may interfere will the validity of data because of the confusion characterized by it. It may also be difficult to gather information regarding a controversial issue since there will be different reaction to it and some people may not reflect on what happened due to short memory.
This research will use questionnaire as a data collection tool administered to the students and teachers who are the target population. It will take measures to ensure there is quality data through pre-testing the data collection tool. This will give more information regarding time, structure of the question and any other information that needs attention. The validity of the data will be ensured through administering the questionnaire in the targeted population and sampling the respondents in as way that can bring equality among the respondents.
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