|
Spring, 2011 |
Dr. Kenneth Wald
Email
Home Page
| Office: 303 Anderson | Matherly 12 |
| Phone: 273-2391 or 392-0262 (Dept. office) | Thursday, periods 8-10 |
| Email: kenwald@ufl.edu | 3:00-6:00 |
| Office
Hours: Tue
1:00-5:00,
Weds.
1:00-3:00
or
by
appointment |
|
| Background: The essence
of survey research consists of selecting a sample of respondents,
asking
them questions, and analyzing their answers. Since its development in
the 1930s and 1940s, this seemingly simple technique has become a major
tool of investigation for academic researchers, journalists, social
analysts, government agencies, political practitioners, market
researchers, and others. The course is intended to provide students
with a solid grounding in the design of surveys, paying
particularly close attention to the potential pitfalls inherent in this
method of data collection. During the semester, we will address the
question of when and why to undertake this particular form of research,
explore the issues that arise in the administration and analysis of
surveys, and consider how best to communicate survey data and issues.
The principal focus of the seminar is on recognizing and dealing with
potential threats to the validity of surveys that arise from what is
called non-sampling error. Nonsampling error has been defined in many
ways but never so memorably as when Robert Chambers described survey
data as . . . aggregates of what has
emerged from fallible programming of fallible punching of fallible
coding of responses which are what investigators wrote down as their
interpretation of their instructions as to how they were to write down
what they believed respondents said to them, which was only what
respondents were prepared to say to them in reply to the investigator's
rendering of their understanding of a question and the respondent's
understanding of the way they asked it; always assuming that the
interview
took place at all and that the answers were not more congenially
compiled under a tree or in a teashop or bar without the tiresome
complication of a respondent. (R. Chambers, Rural Development: Putting the Last First [Essex,
UK:
Longman],
1983,
pp.
51-2)
Beyond the customary
topics, the seminar will also consider the use of new survey modes
associated
with advanced computer technology and surveys as a global phenomenon.
At the end of the semester, you should be a more sophisticated consumer
of surveys and also have the capacity to contribute intelligently to
survey design and interpretation. Reading: We will use the following paperback book as the core text for the seminar: Groves, Robert et al.
2009. Survey Methodology. 2nd
edition. New
York: Wiley-Interscience In addition, I've
recommended a supplemental text that gives a more "how-to" feel: Salant, Priscilla and
Don A. Dillman. 1994. How to Conduct Your own
Survey. New York: John Wiley, 1994 Except for two
excerpts
indicated below, this book is not required but
I'll indicate readings keyed to the course schedule. Because the book
is rather dated, let me suggest you look at this brief article
as a supplement on web-based surveys. A recent report
by a blue-ribbon taskforce has produced a comprehensive report on all
the issues raised by online surveys For those of you
who anticipate
taking a comprehensive examination over this material, I also recommend
reading The Psychology of
Survey Response by
Roger Tourangeau, Lance J. Rips, and Kenneth A. Rasinski (New York:
Cambridge University Press, 2000). The texts will be
supplemented by a substantial number of journal articles that will be
available online
and some supplementary material that will be distributed. Responsibilities : POS 6757 is a graduate seminar and its success depends on you keeping up with the readings, attending class faithfully, participating actively in class activities, and contributing to discussion. Your final grade will reflect this goal by weighing several components:
As in any graduate seminar
unexcused absences, missed deadlines and lack of
participation will count against you.
|
Note: The required book chapters will be available on E-reserve unless otherwise indicated. POQ refers to Public Opinion Quarterly, AJPS to American Journal of Political Science, JOP to Journal of Politics. The Salant & Dillman readings indicated with an asterisk are optional.
2. The Concept of Survey Error (1/13)
Adina
Smith
et
al., "Development & Implementation of a Culturally
Sensitive Cervical Health
Survey: A Community-Based Participatory Approach." Women &
Health
40 (2004): 67-86.
| Take-home examination distributed in class on February 17th and is due by the start of class on February 24th. |
5. Interviewer
Effects (2/24) Take-home
examination due in class. [Disc: Harrigan] CRP=C
Survey
Methodology, chaps. 9
Michael
Schober and Frederick Conrad, "Does Conversational
Interviewing Reduce Survey Measurement Error?" POQ 61 (1997),
576-602
Darren
W. Davis,
"The Direction of Race of Interviewer Effects Among African-Americans," AJPS (1997) 41, 309-22
Steven
Finkel et al.,
"Race-of-Interviewer Effects in
a Pre-election Poll,"
POQ 55 (1991), 313-3
Emily
Kane and Laura Macaulay, "Interviewer Gender and Gender
Attitudes," POQ
57 (1993), 1-28
Kevin
Hill
&
Dante
Moreno, "Language as a Variable: English, Spanish,
Ethnicity, and Political Opinion," Hispanic
J
of
Behav
Sci 23 (2001) 208-28
6. Respondent
Effects
(3/3) [Disc: Tanrioven] CRP=A
John
Katosh and Michael Traugott, "Consequences of
Validated and Self-Reported Voting Measures," POQ 45 (1981), 519-35
Stanley
Presser,
"Is Inaccuracy on Factual Items Item-Specific or Respondent-Specific?" POQ 48 (1984), 344-55
Michael
Traugott & John Tucker, "Strategies for Predicting
Whether a Citizen Will Vote & Estimation of Outcomes," POQ 48 (1984), 330-43
Adam
Berinsky, "Two Faces of Public Opinion," AJPS 44
(1999),
1209-30.
| Spring Break, March 5 - March 12 |
9.
Legal/Ethical Issues in Survey Research (4/14) [Disc:
Alenicheva] CRP=C
Survey Methodology, chaps. 11
Mitchell
Seligson, "Human Subjects
Protection and Large-N Research" PS: Political Science &
Politics 41 (2008):
477-482
Fred
Morgan,
"Judicial
Standards for Survey Research," Journal of Marketing 54
(1990), 59-70
Lisa
Fontes, "Ethics in Family Violence Research," Family Relations 47 (1998), 53-61.
Mark
Orkin, "The Politics and Problematics of Survey Research," American Behavioral Scientist 42
(1998), 201-222
Richard
Hamilton,
"Work and Leisure: On Reporting Poll Results," POQ 55 (1991), 347-356