Imagining ‘What if…’ - Dealing with speculation and hypotheticals in survey research
Date:
10/06/2014
Organised by:
NCRM, University of Southampton
Presenter:
Dr. Jan Eichhorn, University of Edinburgh, School of Social and Political Science (Social Policy)
Level:
Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)
Contact:
Jacqui Thorp
Training and Bursary Administrator
National Centre for Research Methods
University of Southampton
Email: jmh6@soton.ac.uk
Description:
PLEASE NOTE THIS COURSE WAS POSTPONED FROM 4-5 MARCH 2014
Certain socio-political events require the discussion of hypothetical considerations. Conducting survey research in such contexts is not trivial and requires researchers to play close attention to a range of complicating issues. The bandwidth of contexts in which this may apply is wide: Referenda (such as the one on Scottish independence or on the UK’s role in the European Union) are a prime example in which respondents are asked to engage both with current preferences and particular situations that may or may not arise. Other applications include research into preferences for particular policy changes – where researchers are interested in understanding people’s views on potential variations of policy implementation alternatives and related consequences.
Researchers wishing to engage in such work through surveying need to be able to take into account a range of the issues that will be engaged with in this course. The approach will be highly interactive: After brief introductions to particular challenges and references to actually conducted research (for example relating to the Scottish Independence referendum) participants will engage in practical exercises to address challenges and reflect on strategies to overcome them.
The course will engage with challenges such as i) formulating survey instruments that capture hypothetical scenarios but can clearly be understood by respondents, ii) developing questionnaires specific to particular target groups and iii) deciding on modes for respondents to reveal their preferences directly or indirectly. In addition, strategies for the implementation of such research projects will be discussed in particular taking into account time and budget constraints.
Cost:
The fee is:
1. £30 - For ALL UK registered postgraduate students
2. £60 - For staff at UK academic institutions, RCUK funded researchers, public sector staff and staff at registered charity organisations
3. £220 - For all other participants
All fees include event materials, lunch, morning and afternoon tea. They do not include travel and accommodation costs.
Full refund if cancelled one month prior to the course, NO refund less than one month.
Website and registration:
http://store.southampton.ac.uk/browse/extra_info.asp?compid=1&modid=5&deptid=8&catid=23&prodid=487
Region:
East Midlands
Keywords:
Survey Research, Data Collection, Survey and Questionnaire Design
Related publications and presentations:
Survey Research
Data Collection
Survey and Questionnaire Design