Survey Methodology 2e

Praise for the First Edition:

"The book makes a valuable contribution by synthesizing current research and identifying areas for future investigation for each aspect of the survey process."
--Journal of the American Statistical Association

"Overall, the high quality of the text material is matched by the quality of writing . . ."
--Public Opinion Quarterly

". . . it should find an audience everywhere surveys are being conducted." --Technometrics

This new edition of Survey Methodology continues to provide a state-of-the-science presentation of essential survey methodology topics and techniques. The volume's six world-renowned authors have updated this Second Edition to present newly emerging approaches to survey research and provide more comprehensive coverage of the major considerations in designing and conducting a sample survey.

Key topics in survey methodology are clearly explained in the book's chapters, with coverage including sampling frame evaluation, sample design, development of questionnaires, evaluation of questions, alternative modes of data collection, interviewing, nonresponse, post-collection processing of survey data, and practices for maintaining scientific integrity. Acknowledging the growing advances in research and technology, the Second Edition features:

* Updated explanations of sampling frame issues for mobile telephone and web surveys
* New scientific insight on the relationship between nonresponse rates and nonresponse errors
* Restructured discussion of ethical issues in survey research, emphasizing the growing research results on privacy, informed consent, and confidentiality issues
* The latest research findings on effective questionnaire development techniques
* The addition of 50% more exercises at the end of each chapter, illustrating basic principles of survey design
* An expanded FAQ chapter that addresses the concerns that accompany newly established methods

Providing valuable and informative perspectives on the most modern methods in the field, Survey Methodology, Second Edition is an ideal book for survey research courses at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an indispensable reference for practicing survey methodologists and any professional who employs survey research methods.

Written by six nationally recognized experts in the field, this new edition covers the major considerations, both classic and newly developed, in designing and conducting a sample survey. Topical, accessible, and to-the-point, this update represents the state-of-the-science in survey methodology with a new focus on (1) the increasing use of the internet for conducting survey research and (2) the growing presence of mobile phones rather than landlines in residential homes. The chapter on 'modes of data collection' reflects this new focus, with expanded and new material on internet surveys. The discussion on nonstatistical survey quality concepts such as "fitness for use" has been updated, and the authors have expanded coverage of sampling frame issues. The number of exercises has been doubled, providing the reader with a wealth of opportunities to test their understanding of the presented concepts, and all references have been updated. A related FTP site houses electronic figures related to the book and PowerPoint slides are available for instructors upon request. 

Preface to the First Edition. Preface to the Second Edition. Acknowledgements. Chapter 1: An Introduction to Survey Methodology. 1.1 Introduction. 1.2 A Brief History of Survey Research. 1.3 Some Examples of Ongoing Surveys. 1.4 What is Survey Methodology? 1.5 The Challenge of Survey Methodology. 1.6 About this Book. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 2: Inference and Error in Surveys. 2.1 Introduction. 2.2 The Lifecycle of a Survey From a Design Perspective. 2.3 The Lifecycle of a Survey from A Quality Perspective. 2.4 Putting It All Together. 2.5 Error Notions in Different Kinds of Statistics. 2.6 Nonstatistical Notions of Survey Quality. 2.7 Summary. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 3: Target Populations, Sampling Frames, and Coverage Error. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Populations and Frames. 3.3 Coverage Properties of Sampling Frames. 3.4 Alternative Frames for the Target Population of Households or Persons. 3.5 Frame Issues for Other Common Target Populations. 3.6 Coverage Error. 3.7 Reducing Undercoverage. 3.8 Summary. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 4: Sample Design and Sampling Error. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Samples and Estimates. 4.3 Simple Random Sampling. 4.4 Cluster Sampling. 4.5 Stratification and Stratified Sampling. 4.6 Systematic Selection. 4.7 Complications in Practice. 4.8 Sampling US Telephone Households. 4.9 Selecting Persons Within Households. 4.10Summary. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 5: Methods of Data Collection. 5.1 Alternative Methods of Data Collection. 5.2 Choosing the Appropriate Method. 5.3 Effects of Different Data Collection Methods on Survey Errors. 5.4 Using Multiple Modes of Data Collection. 5.5 Summary. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 6: Nonresponse in Sample Surveys. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Response Rates. 6.3 Impact of Nonresponse on the Quality of Survey Estimates. 6.4 Thinking Causally About Survey Nonresponse Error. 6.5 Dissecting the Nonresponse Phenomenon. 6.6 Design Features to Reduce Unit Nonresponse. 6.7 Item Nonresponse. 6.8 Are Nonresponse Propensities Related to Other Error Sources? 6.9 Summary. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 7: Questions and Answers in Surveys. 7.1 Alternatives Methods of Survey Measurement. 7.2 Cognitive Processes in Answering Questions. 7.3 Problems in Answering Survey Questions. 7.4 Guidelines for Writing Good Questions. 7.5 Summary. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 8: Evaluating Survey Questions. 8.1 Introduction. 8.2 Expert Reviews. 8.3 Focus Groups. 8.4 Cognitive Interviews. 8.5 Field Pretests and Behavior Coding. 8.6 Randomized or Split-Ballot Experiments. 8.7 Applying Question Standards. 8.8 Summary of Question Evaluation Tools. 8.9 Linking Concepts of Measurement Quality to Statistical Estimates. 8.10 Summary. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 9: Survey Interviewing. 9.1 The Role of the Interviewer. 9.2 Interviewer Bias. 9.3 Interviewer Variance. 9.4 Strategies for Reducing Interviewer Bias. 9.5 Strategies for Reducing Interviewer-Related Variance. 9.6 The Controversy About Standardized Interviewing. 9.7 Interviewer Management. 9.8 Validating the Work of Interviewers. 9.9 The Use of Recorded Voices (and Faces) in Data Collection. 9.10 Summary. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 10: Postcollection Processing of Survey Data. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Coding. 10.3 Entering Numeric Data into Files. 10.4 Editing. 10.5 Weighting. 10.6 Imputation for Item-missing data. 10.7 Sampling Variance Estimation for Complex Samples. 10.8 Survey Data Documentation and Metadata. 10.9 Summary. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 11: Principles and Practices Related to Scientific Integrity. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 Standards for the Conduct of Research. 11.3 Standards for Dealing with Clients. 11.4 Standards for Dealing with the Public. 11.5 Standards for Dealing with Respondents. 11.6 Emerging Ethical Issues. 11.7 Research About Ethical Issues in Surveys. 11.8 Administrative and Technical Procedures for Safe-Guarding Confidentiality. 11.9 Summary and Conclusions. Keywords. For More In-Depth Reading. Exercises. Chapter 12: FAQs About Survey Methodology. 12.1 Introduction. 12.2 The Questions and Their Answers. References. Index.