Conducting Surveys, Experiments, and Observations

Conducting Surveys,
Experiments, and
Observations
A. Conducting a Survey
• In doing a survey, the researcher must understand the right mode
of inquiry for establishing an inference whether in a large group
of people or from a small number of people in a group.
• The very aim of conducting a survey is to present and explain
the actual experiences of a certain population.
• Conducting survey is done in three steps:
1) by email;
2) telephone; and
3) personal interview.
Challenges and Limitations of Survey
1) appropriateness of the method;
2) accuracy of what to observe;
3) generalizability of the findings;
4) administrative constrains; and
5) ethical and political difficulties.

Steps to Conduct an Effective Survey
1. Determine who will participate in the survey
2. Decide the type of survey (mail, online, or in-person)
3. Design the survey questions and layout
4. Distribute the survey
5. Analyze the responses
6. Write up the results

B. Experimental Research
• is a study that strictly adheres to a scientific research design.
• It includes a hypothesis, a variable that can be manipulated
by the researcher, and variables that can be measured,
calculated and compared.
• Most importantly, experimental research is completed in a
controlled environment.
• The researcher collects data and results will either support or
reject the hypothesis. This method of research is referred to a
hypothesis testing or a deductive research method.
Experimental Research
• seeks to determine a relationship between two (2) variables—
the dependent variable and the independent variable.
• Data in experimental research must be able to be quantified,

or measured (quantitatively).
• However, the entity should be carefully observed

qualitatively, or described using words and photographs
(qualitatively).
Scientific Method
• is a series of organized steps to which an experiment is done.
• helps you plan, predict, research, conclude and maybe even

publish your findings.
• will make your experiment more organized, easy to interpret

and learn from.
Scientific Method (Steps)
1) Pose a Testable Question.
2) Conduct Background Research.
3) State your Hypothesis.
4) Design Experiment.
5) Perform your Experiment.
6) Collect Data.
7) Draw Conclusions.
8) Publish Findings (optional).
C. Observation
• May take place in natural settings and involve the researcher
taking lengthy and descriptive notes of what is happening.
• It is argued that there are limits to the situations that can be

observed in their 'natural' settings and that the presence of the
researcher may lead to problems with validity.
• Observation can sometimes obtain more reliable information

about certain things—for example, how people actually
behave.
Strengths of Observation
a. Can offer a flavor for what is happening
b. Can give an insight into the bigger picture
c. Can demonstrate sub-groups
d. Can be used to assist in the design of the rest of the research
e. Sometimes, the researcher becomes or needs to become a
participant observer, where he/she is taking part in the
situation in order to be accepted and further understand the
workings of the social phenomenon
Limitations of Observation
a. Change in people's behavior when they know they are being
observed.
b. A 'snap shot' view of a whole situation.
c. Think Big Brother...
d. The researcher may miss something while they are watching
and taking notes.
e. The researcher may make judgments, make value statements
or misunderstand what has been observed.
Techniques for collecting data through observation:
1. Written descriptions - The researcher makes written
descriptions of the people, situations or environment.
Limitations include:
• Researcher might miss out on an observation as they are
taking notes
• The researcher may be focused on a particular event or
situation o There is room for subjective interpretation of what
is happening
3. Photographs and artifacts
- Useful when there is a need to collect observable information
or phenomena such as buildings, neighborhoods, dress and
appearance.
- Artifacts include objects of significance—memorabilia,

instruments, tools and others.
4. Documentation
Any and all kinds of documentation may be used to provide
information—a local paper, information on a notice board,
administrative policies and procedures.
How to Conduct Observations for Research
1. Identify Objective
• Determine what you want to observe and why.
• When conducting observations, you are trying to learn habits,

patterns, behaviors, reactions, and general information about
people in a particular environment to better understand what
they do and, hopefully eventually, why they do it (though
observations alone often won’t tell you the “why”).
2. Establish Recording Method
• To make observations most effective, it’s important that you
minimize or eliminate any disruptive or unfamiliar devices
into the environment you wish to observe.
• Note-taking is the most common method, though in some

public spaces you can take photographs, audio recordings,
and other methods.
3. Develop Questions and Techniques
• Determine whether you are conducting an informal or a
formal observation.
• Knowing your objective, determine if there are specific

questions you have or if you are going in completely open-
minded.
4. Observe and Take Notes
• Visit the place you are hoping to get information from.
• Be as unobtrusive as possible, taking notes, photographs,
audio, and film, only where it is allowed, you have
permission, and it makes sense for the research without
disrupting the environment.
• If you are doing formal observations, will you need to code
certain behaviors, actions, words, visuals, and other observed
data.
5. Analyze Behaviors and Inferences
• Separate the difference between what you observed (which
are factual behaviors) and why what you observed happened.
• Typically, to make some sense of your observed data, you
will need to interview people in the environment you are
observing, either during the observation itself, or afterwards.
• Make connections between interactions, responses,
behaviors, and other phenomena.

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Conducting Surveys,

2) accuracy of what to observe;

3) generalizability of the findings;

4) administrative constrains; and

5) ethical and political difficulties.

2. Decide the type of survey (mail, online, or in-person)

3. Design the survey questions and layout

4. Distribute the survey

5. Analyze the responses

6. Write up the results

• Data in experimental research must be able to be quantified,

• However, the entity should be carefully observed

• helps you plan, predict, research, conclude and maybe even

• will make your experiment more organized, easy to interpret

• It is argued that there are limits to the situations that can be

• Observation can sometimes obtain more reliable information

- Artifacts include objects of significance—memorabilia,

• When conducting observations, you are trying to learn habits,

• Note-taking is the most common method, though in some

• Knowing your objective, determine if there are specific

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