Surveys: Design and Use

Surveys allow us to capture critical data (from staff, managers, clients/customers, and more) that can improve organizational performance. Learn the ins and outs of good survey design (whether delivered traditionally or online), basic data analysis techniques, and strategies for writing informative but reader-friendly reports.
Meets on two Saturdays: 2/2 and 2/16; see below for specific times.

Overview

This is a practical course--designed to improve the way you assess instructional needs and the learning interventions you design, implement, or manage. Whether administered online or "traditionally" (handed out, mailed out), surveys can help us learn whether or not:

• customers think we're doing a good job.
• staff feel informed, well-supported or valued.
• staff believe internal policies are clear, understandable, and equitable.
• participants believe workshops have been thoughtfully designed, adequately facilitated and well-received.

We'll explore good survey design, features of "robust" online survey generators, simple (but powerful) analytical procedures, and ways to narratively and graphically present your survey results. You'll walk through all the steps--guided by resources to which you can turn again and again.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, you'll know:

• how to "connect": a survey to its purpose (needs assessment, evaluation, etc.).
• survey lingo.
• the variety of items types from which you can choose.
• strategies for improving the look and feel of your survey.
• what distinguishes the survey from other data collection methods (an interview, a focus group, an observation, or a test).
• how to make a survey respondent-friendly.
• different sampling strategies.
• ways to improve survey response rates
• what distinguishes personally-administered and mail-out surveys from those delivered on the web.
• techniques for analyzing survey data (whether quantitative or qualitative).
• how to report survey findings to interested audiences

Audience

This course targets anyone charged with or interested in collecting data via survey. The instructor assumes basic familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel, and Internet browsers (Firebox, Safari, Explorer, etc.).

Resources

• Salant, P., & Dillman, D.A. (1994). How to conduct your own survey. New York: John Wiley & Sons (Required; purchase from Amazon or Aztec Shops)
• Articles from Electronic Course Reserves (password=questionnaire)
• Don Dillman's website
• Informative websites
  • Tips from InfoPoll
  • Tips from AdvancedSurvey
  • Tips from the University of Texas (at Austin)/Division of Instructional Innovation and Assessment

Tools

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Inspiration (trial download for 30 days)
• SPSS (trial download for 14 days)
• Headset with mic

Course Syllabus

We will be using Moodle. The enrollment key will be provided to you via email.

We will use Adobe Connect for our synchrounous sessions. If you have not used before, please check your computer connection.

February 2:
Morning session: 8:30 to 10:30 am (Pacific)
Afternoon session: 1:00 to 3:00 pm (Pacific)