Improving Survey Methods: Lessons from Recent Research (European Association of Methodology Series) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415817625 ISBN 13: 9780415817622

Publisher: Routledge, 2014

Synopsis

This state-of-the-art volume provides insight into the recent developments in survey research. It covers topics like: survey modes and response effects, bio indicators and paradata, interviewer and survey error, mixed-mode panels, sensitive questions, conducting web surveys and access panels, coping with non-response, and handling missing data. The authors are leading scientists in the field, and discuss the latest methods and challenges with respect to these topics.

Each of the book’s eight parts starts with a brief chapter that provides an historical context along with an overview of today’s most critical survey methods. Chapters in the sections focus on research applications in practice and discuss results from field studies. As such, the book will help researchers design surveys according to today’s best practices.

The book’s website www.survey-methodology.de provides additional information, statistical analyses, tables and figures.

An indispensable reference for practicing researchers and methodologists or any professional who uses surveys in their work, this book also serves as a supplement for graduate or upper level-undergraduate courses on survey methods taught in psychology, sociology, education, economics, and business. Although the book focuses on European findings, all of the research is discussed with reference to the entire survey-methodology area, including the US. As such, the insights in this book will apply to surveys conducted around the world.

About this title

About the Author

Uwe Engel is Professor of Sociology at the University of Bremen, Germany.

Ben Jann is Associate Professor for Sociology at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

Peter Lynn is Professor of Survey Methodology at the University of Essex, UK.

Annette Scherpenzeel is the cohort manager of the Consortium of Individual Development at Utrecht University, the Netherlands.

Patrick Sturgis is Professor of Research Methodology at the University of Southampton, UK.

Review

"This volume...covers a very broad range of issues related to the methodology used in surveys. ...The contributing authors ...[are] among the top-class scientists in their field (worldwide). ...The volume will definitely have added value for survey practitioners. ... With some background, this volume is certainly appropriate for any course on survey methodology. I’m looking forward to its publication. It will be exciting!" – Marcel Das, CentERdata (Tilburg University), the Netherlands

"Much of the outstanding work now moving survey science forward is from European countries. This volume brings together recent work from many of the world’s best survey methodologists, ranging from coping with survey mode and nonresponse effects to designing access panels." – Don A. Dillman, Washington State University, USA

"This is an excellent, updated and instructive collection of essays in survey methodology produced by the most notable European experts on the topic. This book is highly recommended for survey methodologists and any practitioner of public opinion." – Mariano Torcal, Pompeu Fabra University, Spain

"Improving Survey Methods will be a treat for survey methodologists everywhere. Written by a dream team of European researchers, the book examines important topics facing survey researchers around the world." – Roger Tourangeau, Westat, USA

"There is hardly a shortage of books on survey design. But even in such a saturated market the value of this tome (and it is a rather substantial text) is impossible to deny. And with its pan-European collection of authors, all of whom have contributed to the success of some of the largest social surveys in Europe, it is not lacking in authority... For academics and seasoned researchers keen to consolidate their understanding of all aspects of survey design, in particular (but not exclusively) those with a quantitative leaning, they are unlikely to find better." - James Lubwama, SRA Research Matters

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0415817625
• ISBN 13: 9780415817622
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 452
• Editor: Engel Uwe