Surveys
Reference - https://www3.secure.griffith.edu.au/03/toolbox/
Description
Surveys are a method used to collect information from a specific population. Surveys are used to gauge the level of public information about an issue and provide a 'snapshot' of attitudes and ideas at a particular time. They can be used to determine community attitudes or target a particular group. Surveys can be used to collect broad general information from or about a large audience or specific information from targeted groups. Surveys can seek information that can be quantitative (facts and figures) and/or qualitative (opinions and values). Surveys can use questionnaires to collect information, and these can be delivered through face-to-face interviews, self-completion written forms, telephone surveys, or electronic surveys. For a well-conducted survey using a large, random sample, surveys are usually high cost. Small-scale surveys using opportunistic sampling and volunteers can be relatively low cost, but may not produce results that can be generalised beyond the specific people sampled. Sampling so that you can generalise from your results to the general community, or a specific segment of the community, requires expert knowledge.
Objectives
Surveys are designed to collect information from community groups in relation to a particular issue or issue. The results of the surveys provide information about the demographics and/or opinions of a specific group of people. This information can permit decision-making bodies to make better-informed decisions or to better inform the community in relation to an issue or proposal.
Outcomes
Surveys provide information about a community and its opinions; for example, a survey can indicate the number of people who support or oppose specific proposals, their reasons and their demographics.
Uses/Strengths
• Provides traceable data.
• Can serve an educational purpose.
• When properly constructed using good sampling techniques, able to reach a broad representative public or targeted group.
• Can derive varied information from the results.
• Can help in future planning.
Special Considerations/Weaknesses
• Poorly constructed surveys produce poor results.
• Can be expensive if surveying a large audience.
• Care must be taken that wording of questions is unambiguous to prevent skewed results.
• Care is needed in sampling to make sure representative samples are taken.
• Surveys with tick boxes are the fastest and easiest to process, however, this limits the detail in the information collected.
• Can be seen as 'counting heads' without necessarily telling you what is in them.
Resources Required
• Staff
Can be used for
• Engage community
• Discover community issues
• Communicate an issue
Number of people required to help organise
• Large
• Small
Audience Size
• Large
Time Required
• Long-term
• Medium-term
Skill Level/Support Required
• High
• Medium
Cost
• High
• Medium
• Low
Participation Level
• Medium
Innovation Level
• Low
Method
1. Find out what is already known, and what relevant surveys have been done on this issue (if any) in the past. This will avoid duplication, and will help establish what you need to find out from your survey.
2. Survey writing is a skill that improves with practice and feedback, so seek expert advice on the pitfalls and requirements of survey writing, but rely on your own understanding of the issue or topic.
3. Preliminary investigations e.g. focus groups or interviews with people on a 'convenience' basis (outside the Town Hall, or in a shopping centre), can help to develop some of the issues/range of questions needed.
4. Determine how the information is to be obtained. Surveys can be done by asking people questions though the mail or in personal interviews, or by a combination of methods.
5. Select your target audience. How will you sample them? How will you ensure that your survey gives a representation of the ideas of the group?
6. Draft the questionnaire or interview guide.
7. Trial this with a pilot study to ensure the answers will give you the information you wanted. (Check readability and clarity of questions).
8. Undertake the survey.
9. Collate and analyse the results.
10. Write a report and make available to those surveyed, to appropriate authorities, and to the media. If the report is lengthy and/or detailed, provide a synopsis of the key points.
References
• Abelson, J., Forest, P-G, Eyles, J., Smith, P., Martin, E., & Gauvin, F-P. (2001) A Review of Public Participation and Consultation Methods. Canadian Centre for Analysis of Regionalization and Health http://www.regionalization.org/PPfirstpage.html ([accessed 3 Jan 2002].
• COSLA. (1998). Focusing on Citizens: A Guide to Approaches and Methods. Available at: http://www.communityplanning.org.uk/documents/Engagingcommunitiesmethods.pdf [accessed 3 Jan 2002]
• Flinders University Department of Public Health & South Australian Community Health Research Unit. (2000) Improving Health Services through Consumer Participation - A Resource Guide for Organisations. Commonwealth Department of Health & Aged Care. Canberra. Available as pdf as http://www.participateinhealth.org.au/how/practical_tools.htm [accessed 3 Jan 2002].
• London Borough of Waltham Forest. (2001). Consultation Guidelines. /_assets/http/www.lbwf.gov.uk/government/bv/consultation_guidelines.pdf [accessed 3 Jan 2002].
• Northwest Regional Facilitators. (1999). Public Participation Resource Guide September, Chapter One Public Participation Methods & Techniques. http://www.nrf.org/cpguide/index.html#tablecontents [accessed 20 Dec 2002].
• RCRA. (1996). Public Participation Manual. Ch 5: Public participation activities. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/permit/pubpart/chp_5.pdf[accessed 3 Jan 2002].
• US Department of Transportation (1996) Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decision-Making (13/12/02) http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reports/pittd/surveys.htm
Adelaide Hills DGP’s
Project – ‘Your Health, Your Hills Community
LINKS to:
Community Forum Questionnaire
Community Forum Questionnaire results
(Currently under construction)
