1. Surveys

What kind of data do surveys mostly collect?

Quantitative data that is numerically scored, but also some qualitative data that is textual.

What are the characteristics of such data?

Social in nature, appropriate for large groups, measures attitudes, opinions, attributes, values, and experiences.

What are the most appropriate contexts for using surveys in research?

For research requiring data for large groups around questions that record and investigate relationships between attitudes, opinions, attributes, values, and experiences.

How are the relationships between data and theory in survey research described?

Inductive (data first and theory second) and deductive (theory first and data second).

How does survey data differ from data collected by other methods such as qualitative data?

Survey data is translated into statistics that describe states of higher or lower, greater or fewer, more or less, and stronger and weaker. Qualitative data relates textual testimony concerning the meanings, feelings, and experiences of those researched.

What do survey questions mostly measure about individuals?

A series of personal attributes, opinions, values, experiences, and values.

How do surveys help our understanding of politics, health, migration, and consumer choices?

Through collecting data about attributes, attitudes, and opinions surveys help identify patterns of social behaviour, experience, and intention that relate information about social groups within a society allowing governments and policy agencies to make decisions and plan programs.