About this course: This course presents research conducted to increase our understanding of how data collection decisions affect survey errors. This is not a “how–to-do-it” course on data collection, but instead reviews the literature on survey design decisions and data quality in order to sensitize learners to how alternative survey designs might impact the data obtained from those surveys. The course reviews a range of survey data collection methods that are both interview-based (face-to-face and telephone) and self-administered (paper questionnaires that are mailed and those that are implemented online, i.e. as web surveys). Mixed mode designs are also covered as well as several hybrid modes for collecting sensitive information e.g., self-administering the sensitive questions in what is otherwise a face-to-face interview. The course also covers newer methods such as mobile web and SMS (text message) interviews, and examines alternative data sources such as social media. It concentrates on the impact these techniques have on the quality of survey data, including error from measurement, nonresponse, and coverage, and assesses the tradeoffs between these error sources when researchers choose a mode or survey design.
Taught by: Frederick Conrad, Ph.D., Research Professor, Survey Methodology
Institute for Social Research
| Basic Info | Course 2 of 7 in the Survey Data Collection and Analytics Specialization |
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 4 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/weeks |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
- Reading: Module 1 Overview
- Reading: Help us learn more about you!
- Reading: Module 1 Required Readings
- Video: 1.1 What this course is … and is not
- Reading: Module 1 Lecture Slides
- Video: 1.2.1 Introduction to Survey Errors
- Video: 1.2.2 Variable Error and Bias
- Video: 1.2.3 Total Survey Error
- Discussion Prompt: Survey Error
- Video: 1.3.1 What do we mean by “mode?”
- Video: 1.3.2 Mode Choice (by respondent)
- Video: 1.4.1 Mixed Mode Design
- Video: 1.4.2 Concurrent Mixed Mode
- Video: 1.4.3 Sequential (Follow-up) Mixed Mode
- Video: 1.4.4 Interview with David Weir (U. Michigan) on Mixed Mode Designs
- Video: 1.5.1 Response Rates
- Video: 1.5.2 Nonresponse Error
- Reading: Module 2 Overview
- Reading: Module 2 Required Readings
- Video: 2.1.1 Modes (interviewer- and self-administered), CASI, ACASI
- Video: 2.1.2 ACASI continued
- Reading: Module 2 Lecture Slides
- Video: 2.2.1 Coverage
- Video: 2.2.2 Nonresponse
- Video: 2.2.3 Measurement
- Video: 2.3.1 Progress Indicators, Running Tallies
- Video: 2.3.2 Online Definitions
- Video: 2.3.3 Speeding Interventions
- Video: 2.4 Reg Baker (MRII) about web surveys in market research
- Discussion Prompt: Modes
- Reading: Module 3 Overview
- Reading: Module 3 Required Readings
- Video: 3.1.1 Interviewer Roles, Obtaining Interviews
- Video: 3.1.2 Respondent selection, Within Household Sampling
- Video: 3.1.3 Proxy Responding
- Reading: Module 3 Lecture Slides
- Video: 3.2.1 Standardization Debate: Wording vs. Meaning
- Video: 3.2.2 Different approaches to standardized interviewing
- Discussion Prompt: Standardization Debate
- Video: 3.2.3 Personal vs. Formal Style, I-R Rapport
- Video: 3.3.1 Variance: Interviewer Behavior
- Video: 3.3.2 Bias: Interviewers’ Fixed Attributes
- Video: 3.4 Interview with Nora Cate Schaeffer (UW) about recruitment and interviewing
- Reading: Module 4 Overview
- Reading: Module 4 Required Readings
- Video: 4.1.1 New Modes, New Data
- Video: 4.1.2 Mobile Web Surveys
- Video: 4.1.3 Text Message Surveys
- Video: 4.1.4 Text vs. Voice Interviews
- Reading: Module 4 Lecture Slides
- Video: 4.2.1 Record linkage: statistical issues
- Video: 4.2.2 Record linkage: Techniques
- Video: 4.2.3 Record linkage: informed consent and ethical issues
- Video: 4.3.1 Uses of Big Data, Sensing Technology, Social Media Content as Data
- Video: 4.3.2 Social media applications: Measuring Mood and Depression
- Video: 4.3.3 Social Media and Population Estimates: Successes
- Video: 4.3.4 Why does social media content align with surveys data sometimes and not other times?
- Discussion Prompt: Social Media and Survey Methods
- Video: 4.4 Interview with Aigul Mavletova (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Mosow) on mobile web surveys
- Reading: Post-course Survey
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
| Audit | Purchase Course | |
|---|---|---|
| Access to course materials | Available | Available |
| Access to graded materials | Not available | Available |
| Receive a final grade | Not available | Available |
| Earn a shareable Course Certificate | Not available | Available |
Enjoyed the course. I think it would be great if we could get the correct answers to questions we get wrong, even if it's an option.
The content of the programme is rich and the assessments really makes one think. It is not a copy and paste matter but actual understanding of the content is required. Greatly appreciate the effort taken to produce this course.
I enjoyed learning this course from day one till I finish. The lecturer is awesome and the supplementary materials are well-prepared and extremely informative. Plentiful scientific literature on survey methodology are available to deepen you understanding on this topic. I particularly admire Fred Conrad, his expertise in Survey Methodology is unmatched. I wish I had him and this course when I was learning Statistics in college.
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
DL
This is an excellent course. I am very satisfied with all the material.