Survey Research

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Before actually beginning the survey the researcher should know how they want to analyze the data. As stated in the Processing the Results section, if you are collecting quantifiable data, a code book is needed for interpreting your data and should be established prior to collecting the survey data. This is important because there are many different formulas needed in order to properly analyze the survey research and obtain statistical significance. Since computer programs have made the process of analyzing data vastly easier than it was, it would be sensible to choose this route. Be sure to pick your program before you design your survey - - some programs require the data to be laid out in different ways. To see data-entry packages available for survey data analysis click here.

After the survey is conducted and the data collected, the results must be assembled in some useable format that allows comparison within the survey group, between groups, or both. The results could be analyzed in a number of ways. A T-test may be used to determine if scores of two groups differ on a single variable--whether writing ability differs among students in two classrooms, for instance. A matched T-Test could also be applied to determine if scores of the same participants in a study differ under different conditions or over time. An ANOVA could be applied if the study compares multiple groups on one or more variables. Correlation measurements could also be constructed to compare the results of two interacting variables within the data set. For more information on statistical analysis see the unit on Statistics.

Secondary Analysis

Secondary analysis of survey data is an accepted methodology which applies previously collected survey data to new research questions. This methodology is particularly useful to researchers who do not have the time or money to conduct an extensive survey, but may be looking at questions for which some large survey has already collected relevant data. A number of books and chapters have been written about this methodology, some of which are listed in the annotated bibliography under "Secondary Analysis."

Advantages and Disadvantages of Secondary Analysis.