ADVANCED RESEARCH

METHODS

DESCRIPTIVE
RESEARCH

I. The methodology of survey

research
Descriptive research, also
known as statistical
research, describes data
and characteristics about
the population or
phenomenon being studied.
Descriptive research
answers the questions who,
what, where, when and how.

The methodology of survey

research
The description is used for
frequencies, averages and other
statistical calculations. Often the
best approach, prior to writing
descriptive research, is to conduct
a survey investigation.

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 Descriptive research influences what

television programs we see, the type
automobiles that will be produced, the
fashion we wear and what issues and
topics we will confronted with.
In short descriptive research deals with
everything that can be counted and
studied.
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Survey
A survey is a data collection tool used to
gather information about individuals.
The major purpose of all surveys is to
describe
the
characteristics
of
a
population.
The methodology of conducting a survey
involves a series of detailed steps.

The initial step is to define the research

problem.

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Sampling
A sample is a
subset
of
the
population to which
the
researcher
intends to generalize
the result.

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Data collection
Data collection is a term used to describe a
process of preparing and collecting data - for
example as part of a process improvement or
similar project. The purpose of data collection is
to obtain information to keep on record, to
make decisions about important issues, to pass
information on to others.

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Questionnaire surveys.
Background or demographic information
about the respondent is important in that it
identifies the individual in terms of
classifying variables for the analysis.

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Closed-ended & Open-ended

questions
Closed-ended questions are easy to use,
score and code for analysis on a
computer.Since all subjects respond to the
same options, standardized data are
provided. They are somewhat more difficult
to write than open-ended questions.

Open-ended questions allow for

more individualized responses, but
they are sometimes difficult to
interpret.They are also hard to
score, since so many different
kinds of responses are received.
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Advantages & disadvantages

of using closed-ended &
open-ended questions.

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Advantages
Closed-ended

Open-ended

Enhaces consistency of
response across
respondents
Easier & faster to
tabulate

Allows more freedom of

response

More popular with

respondents

Permits follow-up by
interviewer

Easier to construct

Disadvantages
Closed-ended

May limit breadth

of responses
Takes more time
to construct
Requires more
questions to cover
the research topic

Open-ended
Responses tend to
be inconsistent in
length and content
across respondents
Both questions and
responses subject
to misinterpretation
Harder to tabulate
and synthesize.

The Cover Letter

The
cover
letter
is
an
essential part of any survey
involving a questionnaire.It is
the mechanism for introducing
individuals to the questionnaire
and
motivate
them
to
respond.The letter should be
straighfoward, explaining the
purpose and penitential value
of the survey and transmitting
the
message
that
an
individuals
response
is

Interview Surveys

The interview should

be
structured
to
obtain the necessary
information efficiently
in
a
friendly
but
businesslike
atmosphere. If possible
there should be some
accuracy checks on
the responses.

Analyzing the
result

Survey data can be analyzed using

any appropriate procedures, and in
many surveys at least part of the
results are reported in a descriptive
manner.Persentages or proportions
of respondents selecting the options
for an item are often provided.

References

HOW TO DESIGN AND EVALUATE RESEARCH

IN EDUCATION
Jack R. Praenkel
Norman E. Wallen
RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION.
William Wiersma
Stephen G.Jurs

EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH COMPETENCIES FOR

ANALYSIS AND APPLICATIONS.
L. R. Gay, Geoffrey E. Mills, Peter Airasian
100 QUESTIONS ABOUT RESEARCH
METHODS.
Neil J. Salkind
FUNDAMENTALS OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH
Gary Anderson

Fidan
Agasiyeva
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