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.
Created by: University of Michigan
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 |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Module 1: Introduction, Classic Modes of Survey Data Collection
In this lesson, you will be introduced to some key concepts about survey data collection methods that we will rely on throughout the course. By the end of this lesson, you should be well acquainted with the major sources of survey error and how these are affected -- usually in the form of tradeoffs -- by the particular mode used to administer questions and capture responses.
12 videos, 5 readings
- 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: Notice for Auditing Learners: Assignment Submission
Graded: Module 1: Classic Modes of Data Collection
WEEK 2
Module 2: Self-administration, Online Data Collection
This second lesson focuses on modes in which survey respondents self-administer questions and provide their responses directly to researchers. By the end of Lesson 2, you will understand the pros and cons of self-administered modes from the TSE perspective.
9 videos, 3 readings
- 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
Graded: Quiz Two
WEEK 3
Module 3: Interviewers and Interviewing
In this lesson, we explore the various roles interviewers take on beside asking questions and collecting answers, as well as some of the different approaches to interviewing that have been proposed and how they affect the accuracy of responses. By the end of Lesson 3, you will appreciate the benefits and costs of collecting data in interviews and will be able to contrast them with the costs and benefits of self-administration.
9 videos, 3 readings
- 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
Graded: Quiz Three
WEEK 4
Module 4: Emerging modes, new data sources
In this lesson, we focus on some new data collection modes such as mobile web surveys and SMS text interviews, as well as alternative data sources such as sensor data, administrative data, and social media. By the end of this lesson, you will have a sense of the issues to which survey methodologists and survey researchers are devoting much of their attention these days. You will be able to weigh the pros and cons of these new methods and data sources.
12 videos, 4 readings
- 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
Graded: Module 4: Emerging modes, new data sources
Graded: Final Exam
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Ratings and Reviews
One of the best course I have ever taken online 🙌🙌. Dr. Fred Conrad's teaching style and lecture delivery is awesome 👏👏. The content of this course2 is more than awesome. A huge thanks to Dr. Conrad and coursera team for their effort and making learning so much fun 👍👍👏👏.
A very good course!
The course is very informative and relevant to my professional work.
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Very good course. Would be 5 stars if it were to be more applied.