Survey Research Methods in Education

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the use of survey research methods in educational and social science research.
• Identify and assess major sources of survey error and their implications for research findings.
• Design, pilot test, and refine survey instruments using established survey methodology principles.
• Develop and justify appropriate sampling strategies for survey research.
• Select and defend data collection modes and survey implementation procedures.
• Create a survey data analysis plan aligned with research questions and study objectives.
• Prepare a complete survey research proposal, including design, sampling, instrumentation, data collection, and analysis components.
• Apply best practices in planning, conducting, and evaluating survey research across the full survey lifecycle.
• Make informed methodological decisions at each stage of survey design, implementation, and analysis.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Participation	20%
Homework	30%
Final Project	40%
Presentation of survey project	10%

Attendance/Participation:

Students are expected to participate actively both in class and in online discussion boards and post their reactions to the weekly assigned readings. Participation among other things includes but is not limited to: Discussing survey design decisions, Critiquing survey questions and instruments, Reviewing sampling plans, Interpreting survey results, Providing constructive feedback on classmates' survey proposals, and Sharing professional experiences related to survey research.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Blair J, Czaja RF, Blair EA. (2014). Designing Surveys: A Guide to Decisions and Procedures, 3rd Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. ISBN: 9781412997348. E-COPY available