Survey Research Critique  DUE:  December 2-5, 2002

Select any public opinion survey from the Internet or academic journal.  The survey should be approximately 10 pages long with full notes on study methodology, sampling procedures, actual survey questions, question-by-question results, and analysis.

I would recommend the "Special Report" in either Public Opinion Quarterly or Public Opinion; you can also find some on FedStats.gov

** YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR SURVEY APPROVED FIRST.

Each answer should be double spaced, size 12 font, regular margins, and between 1 –1 ½ pages long. Identify the answers that correspond to the questions.   *** Use terms and concepts.

Please attach a full hard copy of the survey if taken from the Internet.  Or, if from a journal, please attach a photocopy of survey  that you used    make sure that you mark on the article itself:  the journal, the issue, the volume, and the page numbers.

Questions --

1. How was the sample selected?  (Describe population, sample frame, sample unit, selection procedure)

2.  How was the survey administered?  What was the time frame?

3.  Give an example of each type of question:
 open/unstructured
closed/structured
demographic
attitude/opinion
knowledge
behavior

4.  Did you spot any instances of loaded or biased questions?  If so, give examples.  If you didn't find any, select any two questions and explain how they are balanced.
 

5.  What was the purpose of the survey and did it achieve its research goal?