PDC08: Designing Surveys for Education Research

Session Type: Professional Development Course

Abstract

Surveys are a common tool for collecting data in education research. Surveys of students, parents, teachers, school administrators, district leaders, and others provide much of the data used to assess needs, investigate relationships, and evaluate programs and interventions. Survey data contribute to education theory development, support policy decisions, and help inform problems of practice in all areas of education research. The field of survey research offers evidence-based methods for designing and administering effective surveys. This course draws from well-known texts and literature from the field of survey methodology and offers an overview of survey development techniques, best practices, and resources that will be useful to education agency staff. The course is designed for State Education Agency and Local Education Agency staff but is also appropriate for other practitioners and researchers who want to advance their understanding and ability to create high-quality surveys. The course covers the basics of planning for a survey project, exploring existing item sources, writing high-quality survey items, and pretesting items, as well as sampling considerations, data collection methods, and strategies for maximizing response rates. The course includes engaging presentations, small group activities to practice skills, a binder with useful resource materials, and time for discussion and interaction with the presenters.

Sub Unit

• Professional Development and Training Committee

Instructors

• Jill Walston, American Institutes for Research

• Leslie A. Scott, American Institutes for Research

• Jeremy Redford, American Institutes for Research

• Monica Bhatt, American Institutes for Research