Designing Effective Online Surveys - Online Course
A 3-Day Livestream Seminar Taught by
Andrew Miles10:00am-12:30pm (convert to your local time)
1:30pm-3:30pm
The Internet has revolutionized survey research. Web-based surveys are now used in many disciplines, and for good reason. Compared to traditional paper-and-pencil and face-to-face modes of data collection, they make it easy to randomize question order, skip irrelevant questions, include rich multimedia content, and adapt the survey experience based on respondent input. Add to this a wide range of question types and unparalleled ease of distribution, and it is easy to see why web-based surveys have become so popular.
But the Internet doesn’t just make it easy to program surveys: it also gives unparalleled access to a vast reservoir of potential research participants. With the help of third-party web panels or crowdsourcing websites, researchers can recruit respondents and complete data collection in a matter of days, sometimes hours. Fielding surveys online is also inexpensive, which makes it possible to obtain large samples even for researchers on a budget.
Online surveys are not a panacea, however. Web-based surveys make use of digital technologies that differ in marked ways from other survey modes, raising the question of how the mode of data collection influences results. Web surveys can also be completed on both computers and mobile devices, a fact which comes with its own set of possibilities and pitfalls. And respondents recruited online are generally far from representative of most populations.
This course provides a practical introduction to designing effective web surveys, selecting and recruiting samples, and working with respondents. Particular attention is given to how choices made at the design stage affect response rates and data quality, with an emphasis on highlighting actionable design strategies. We also delve into the advantages and disadvantages of using online samples and evaluate design-based and post-hoc approaches to addressing some of the challenges associated with online research.
Starting January 7, this seminar will be presented as a 3-day synchronous, livestream workshop via Zoom. Each day will feature two lecture sessions with hands-on exercises, separated by a 1-hour break. Live attendance is recommended for the best experience. But if you can’t join in real time, recordings will be available within 24 hours and can be accessed for four weeks after the seminar.
Closed captioning is available for all live and recorded sessions. Captions can be translated to a variety of languages, including Spanish, Korean, and Italian. For more information, click here.
ECTS Equivalent Points: 1
More details about the course content
This course presents the latest research on designing web-based surveys and working with respondents. We first address the fundamentals of writing effective survey questions, which is the core of any survey, web-based or otherwise. We then turn to various design issues with an eye toward maximizing response rates and data quality. Topics include determining optimal survey length, adapting for mobile devices, reducing respondent fatigue, creating effective visual layouts, and pre-testing. We then discuss samples: who to sample, how to sample, and how to work with respondents effectively, with a special emphasis on respondents recruited online.
Class meetings will consist of lectures interspersed with demonstrations of key ideas. You will be given the opportunity to apply the principles and skills in two take-home exercises.
This course presents the latest research on designing web-based surveys and working with respondents. We first address the fundamentals of writing effective survey questions, which is the core of any survey, web-based or otherwise. We then turn to various design issues with an eye toward maximizing response rates and data quality. Topics include determining optimal survey length, adapting for mobile devices, reducing respondent fatigue, creating effective visual layouts, and pre-testing. We then discuss samples: who to sample, how to sample, and how to work with respondents effectively, with a special emphasis on respondents recruited online.
Class meetings will consist of lectures interspersed with demonstrations of key ideas. You will be given the opportunity to apply the principles and skills in two take-home exercises.
Computing
This course uses Qualtrics survey software. However, the principles discussed can be applied in many web-survey software packages, so participants who use a package other than Qualtrics will still benefit. Alternately, those without a Qualtrics subscription can use the free version of Qualtrics, which allows access to a number of important design capabilities. Please note that while this class uses Qualtrics, it is not a class about Qualtrics—that is, the focus will be on survey design, not on familiarizing participants with the full capabilities of Qualtrics.
This course uses Qualtrics survey software. However, the principles discussed can be applied in many web-survey software packages, so participants who use a package other than Qualtrics will still benefit. Alternately, those without a Qualtrics subscription can use the free version of Qualtrics, which allows access to a number of important design capabilities. Please note that while this class uses Qualtrics, it is not a class about Qualtrics—that is, the focus will be on survey design, not on familiarizing participants with the full capabilities of Qualtrics.
Who should register?
This course is suitable for anyone who wants an up-to-date understanding of best practices in web survey design, sampling for web surveys, and working with (online) respondents. Course content will be valuable for both novices and seasoned researchers who have limited experience collecting data online.
This course is suitable for anyone who wants an up-to-date understanding of best practices in web survey design, sampling for web surveys, and working with (online) respondents. Course content will be valuable for both novices and seasoned researchers who have limited experience collecting data online.
Seminar outline
- Types of survey error
- Web-based surveys vs. online samples
- Designing effective web-surveys
- Questionnaire design/writing effective questions
- Paging vs. scrolling designs
- Visual elements (layout, images)
- Interactive features
- Survey length
- Mobile devices
- Pre-testing surveys
- Samples for web-surveys
- Choosing a sample
- Online panels as “next best” alternatives
- Recruiting a sample
- Mitigating threats to data quality
- Correcting for non-probability sampling
- Ethical considerations
- Types of survey error
- Web-based surveys vs. online samples
- Designing effective web-surveys
- Questionnaire design/writing effective questions
- Paging vs. scrolling designs
- Visual elements (layout, images)
- Interactive features
- Survey length
- Mobile devices
- Pre-testing surveys
- Samples for web-surveys
- Choosing a sample
- Online panels as “next best” alternatives
- Recruiting a sample
- Mitigating threats to data quality
- Correcting for non-probability sampling
- Ethical considerations
Payment information
The fee of $995 USD includes all course materials.
PayPal and all major credit cards are accepted.
Our Tax ID number is 26-4576270.
The fee of $995 USD includes all course materials.
PayPal and all major credit cards are accepted.
Our Tax ID number is 26-4576270.