{"id":37,"date":"2023-01-19T17:09:44","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T17:09:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/2-2-4-learn-it-surveys\/"},"modified":"2025-10-31T15:58:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T15:58:43","slug":"2-2-4-learn-it-surveys","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/introductiontopsychology\/chapter\/2-2-4-learn-it-surveys\/","title":{"raw":"Types of Research: Learn It 4\u2014Surveys","rendered":"Types of Research: Learn It 4\u2014Surveys"},"content":{"raw":"

Surveys<\/h2>\r\n

Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data.<\/p>\r\n

\r\n

survey<\/h3>\r\n

Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally.
\r\n
\r\nGenerally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people. You have probably even participated in some already\u2014oftentimes surveys are given by retailers after a customer experience to learn more about reactions to a product or a service.<\/p>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"381\"]\"A Figure 1<\/strong>. Surveys can be administered in a number of ways, including electronically administered research, like the survey shown here. (credit: Robert Nyman)[\/caption]\r\n\r\n

How Psychologists Use Surveys<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Surveys are most often used in descriptive research<\/b><\/span>, helping psychologists collect information about people\u2019s attitudes, opinions, or behaviors.<\/p>\r\n

However, they can also support:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n\t
  • Correlational research<\/span>, such as examining the relationship between age<\/span> and voting behavior<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  • Experimental research<\/span>, to collect participant information (e.g., demographics or self-reported outcomes)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Because surveys can reach large groups quickly, they are ideal for identifying patterns<\/span> and trends<\/span> across populations.<\/p>\r\n

    Samples and Populations<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

    When psychologists conduct surveys, they typically cannot study every individual in the population they care about. Instead, they study a sample<\/b><\/span>\u2014a smaller group chosen to represent the larger population<\/b><\/span>.<\/p>\r\n

      \r\n\t
    • Population:<\/b><\/span> The full group a researcher wants to understand (e.g., all U.S. college students).<\/li>\r\n\t
    • Sample:<\/b><\/span> A subset of that group (e.g., 500 students from several universities).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Researchers analyze the sample\u2019s responses and generalize<\/b><\/span> the findings to the larger population\u2014especially when the sample is large and diverse.<\/p>\r\n

      They often use measures of central tendency<\/b><\/span> (mean, median, and mode) to summarize what a \u201ctypical\u201d response looks like.<\/p>\r\n

      Strengths of Surveys<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
        \r\n\t
      • Efficient:<\/b><\/span> Surveys can be distributed to thousands of people quickly and inexpensively.<\/li>\r\n\t
      • Versatile:<\/b><\/span> Questions can cover nearly any topic, from political beliefs to mental health habits.<\/li>\r\n\t
      • Generalizable:<\/b><\/span> Large, diverse samples allow researchers to draw conclusions about entire populations.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        For example, a nationwide survey on stress among college students can provide insight that no small case study could match.<\/p>\r\n

        Limitations of Surveys<\/b><\/h3>\r\n
          \r\n\t
        • Limited depth:<\/b><\/span> While surveys reach many people, they collect less detailed information from each individual compared to methods like interviews or case studies.<\/li>\r\n\t
        • Inaccurate self-reports:<\/b> Participants may <\/span>lie, <\/span>misremember, or answer in <\/span>socially desirable ways.<\/span>\r\n
            \r\n\t
          • For instance, people might underreport their alcohol use or overstate how often they exercise.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
          • Question wording bias:<\/b><\/span> Poorly phrased or leading questions can distort results.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

            Because of these limitations, psychologists must design surveys carefully\u2014using clear, neutral wording and ensuring participant anonymity to encourage honesty.<\/p>\r\n

            [ohm2_question height=\"950\"]3316[\/ohm2_question]<\/section>","rendered":"

            Surveys<\/h2>\n

            Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data.<\/p>\n

            \n

            survey<\/h3>\n

            Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. <\/p>\n

            Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people. You have probably even participated in some already\u2014oftentimes surveys are given by retailers after a customer experience to learn more about reactions to a product or a service.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n

            \"A
            Figure 1<\/strong>. Surveys can be administered in a number of ways, including electronically administered research, like the survey shown here. (credit: Robert Nyman)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            How Psychologists Use Surveys<\/b><\/h3>\n

            Surveys are most often used in descriptive research<\/b><\/span>, helping psychologists collect information about people\u2019s attitudes, opinions, or behaviors.<\/p>\n

            However, they can also support:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Correlational research<\/span>, such as examining the relationship between age<\/span> and voting behavior<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Experimental research<\/span>, to collect participant information (e.g., demographics or self-reported outcomes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Because surveys can reach large groups quickly, they are ideal for identifying patterns<\/span> and trends<\/span> across populations.<\/p>\n

              Samples and Populations<\/b><\/h3>\n

              When psychologists conduct surveys, they typically cannot study every individual in the population they care about. Instead, they study a sample<\/b><\/span>\u2014a smaller group chosen to represent the larger population<\/b><\/span>.<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Population:<\/b><\/span> The full group a researcher wants to understand (e.g., all U.S. college students).<\/li>\n
              • Sample:<\/b><\/span> A subset of that group (e.g., 500 students from several universities).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Researchers analyze the sample\u2019s responses and generalize<\/b><\/span> the findings to the larger population\u2014especially when the sample is large and diverse.<\/p>\n

                They often use measures of central tendency<\/b><\/span> (mean, median, and mode) to summarize what a \u201ctypical\u201d response looks like.<\/p>\n

                Strengths of Surveys<\/b><\/h3>\n
                  \n
                • Efficient:<\/b><\/span> Surveys can be distributed to thousands of people quickly and inexpensively.<\/li>\n
                • Versatile:<\/b><\/span> Questions can cover nearly any topic, from political beliefs to mental health habits.<\/li>\n
                • Generalizable:<\/b><\/span> Large, diverse samples allow researchers to draw conclusions about entire populations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  For example, a nationwide survey on stress among college students can provide insight that no small case study could match.<\/p>\n

                  Limitations of Surveys<\/b><\/h3>\n
                    \n
                  • Limited depth:<\/b><\/span> While surveys reach many people, they collect less detailed information from each individual compared to methods like interviews or case studies.<\/li>\n
                  • Inaccurate self-reports:<\/b> Participants may <\/span>lie, <\/span>misremember, or answer in <\/span>socially desirable ways.<\/span>\n
                      \n
                    • For instance, people might underreport their alcohol use or overstate how often they exercise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
                    • Question wording bias:<\/b><\/span> Poorly phrased or leading questions can distort results.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Because of these limitations, psychologists must design surveys carefully\u2014using clear, neutral wording and ensuring participant anonymity to encourage honesty.<\/p>\n