Understanding Different Types of Survey Research

The video tutorial explains survey research, which is conducted using questionnaires or interviews. It covers three main types: descriptive research, which collects data at a single point in time; longitudinal studies, which examine effects over time through cohort or trend studies; and evaluation research, which assesses the impact of planned changes. Examples are provided for each type to illustrate their application. The tutorial concludes by revisiting the initial example of a survey on a new law banning soft drinks in schools, identifying it as evaluation research.

What is a key characteristic of survey research?

• It always involves controlled conditions.

• It is only conducted through interviews.

• It manipulates variables to get results.

• It can be a snapshot of a specific point in time.

Which of the following best describes descriptive research?

• It uses different samples at different times.

• It involves manipulating variables over time.

• It collects data at a single point in time.

• It assesses the impact of a planned change.

What is the main focus of a longitudinal study?

• To evaluate the impact of a new law.

• To assess the effect of a situation over time.

• To collect data from different samples at the same time.

• To estimate population parameters at a single point.

In a cohort study, data is collected from:

• Different samples at different points in time.

• The same sample at a single point in time.

• Different samples at the same time.

• The same sample at different points in time.

Evaluation research is primarily used to:

• Assess the effect of a planned change.

• Collect data from the same sample over time.

• Describe a population at a single point in time.

• Manipulate variables to test a hypothesis.