Surveys

The Surveys decision tree will present the steps for creating a reliable and valid survey

Surveys are often used to collect large amounts of data in a really quick time frame. All surveys are considered to be observational, retrospective, and cross-sectional in terms of research design. Causal effects cannot be inferred from cross-sectional surveys due to the lack of randomization and reverse causality. Surveys can be used to measure for unique constructs or phenomena that do not have a current method of evaluation, diagnosis, or measurement. There are eight steps* for creating a new survey instrument. The Surveys decision tree will help you work through each of the eight steps.

The eight steps for creating surveys

Step 1: Construct specification**

Step 2: Expert review

Step 3: Survey methodology

Step 4: Survey items

Step 5: Survey pretest

Step 6: Survey structure

Step 7: Pilot study

Step 8: Validation study
Click on the Construct Specification button to continue.
Construct Specification
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  • Statistical Analysis 
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*Colton, D., & Covert, R. W.  (2007).  Designing and constructing instruments for social research and evaluation. San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass.
**Lounsbury, J. W., Gibson, L. W., & Saudargas, R. A. (2005). Scale Development. In F. T. L. Leong, & J. T. Austin (Eds.), The psychology research handbook: A guide for graduate students and research assistants (pp. 125-146). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
There are eight steps for creating a survey.