Research Methods: Developing your research design

Surveys

The use of surveys in social science research provides insight into a particular research question at one point in time. A common tool used in a survey approach is a questionnaire, however methods such as interview and observation can also be used to collect survey data. A key characteristic of surveys is that they aim to generate insights from a sample of a population to provide insights into the population as a whole. Surveys, particularly those based on questionnaires, are most often associated with a qualitative research approach as they lend themselves to the collection of large quantities of data that can be analysed using statistical methods.

Sources of further information:

Good practice in conducting and reporting survey research