EPE 619 - SURVEY RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION (SUBTITLE REQUIRED)

College of Education

Credits: 3

Survey research is one of the most common and useful methods for gathering data in educational research. Obtaining valid and reliable research results requires the administration of instruments that provide valid and reliable measures of the variables selected for observation. This course will focus on principles of measurement and procedures for developing a variety of survey instruments and for determining their validity and reliability. It is designed to teach students both how to improve the questions and design instruments. The theory and practice of survey reserach relies on contributions from disciplines such as psychology, sociology, statistics, and computer science. The purpose of this course is to familiarize participants with basic features of the design and implementation of surveys, and acquaint them with some principles and underlying theory from disciplines that have traditionally used surveys most heavily. The course will cover major stages of the survey process, including hypothesis and problem formulation, study design, sampling, questionnaire design, interviewing techniques, pretesting, modes of data collection, and data cleaning, management, and anlysis The course involves lectures, readings, and discussions. Students are encouraged to bring materials related to their own research interests. The course will provide an overview of the theoretical and experimental literature related to question and questionnaire design as well as focusing on practical issues in the design, critique, and interpretation of survey questions that are often not taught in formal courses. There will be exercises both in and outside of class to reinforce both theory and practice.

Prerequisite(s):
Prereq: EPE/EDP 557 or an equivalent course; an introductory statistics course.
Approved for Distance Learning.