General description
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to survey research, covering the entire process from designing questionnaires to preparing data for analysis. We will cover different survey designs (e.g., cross-sectional, experimental) and question types (e.g., open-ended, Likert scales, semantic differentials). In doing so, we will emphasize best practices in question wording, order, and scale selection (e.g., validated vs. self-developed). Participants will be taught key sampling principles (e.g., random, convenience) and learn how to address nonresponse and common biases (e.g., social desirability). Throughout the course, we will focus on practical implementation using Qualtrics, a widely used survey tool. Finally, while this course does not include hands-on statistical analysis, we will focus on preparing data for analysis (e.g., data screening and cleaning) and selecting the appropriate analysis techniques (e.g., factor analysis for scale validation, AN(C)OVA for experimental data). By the end of the course, participants will have a theoretically grounded and practical understanding of how to design and conduct high-quality survey research.
Target audience
This course is aimed at those who are working with survey research, planning to do their own survey or want to commission one. Participants will be given the opportunity to develop and receive feedback on a questionnaire on a topic of their own choice. The maximum 30 positions will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Course prerequisites
A rudimentary knowledge of statistics is welcomed, e.g. knowing how to calculate averages and standard deviations. No knowledge of SPSS is required: this will be hands on.
Course materials
Copies of slides will be provided through the digital learning platform (Ufora).
Teacher bio
Ellen Soens is a PhD candidate in the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication (Ghent University). Her research interests include internal communication, employee social media use, corporate social media guidelines and employee ambassadorship programs. Her doctoral research examines how, why and with what consequences employees engage in work-related social media use, mainly through quantitative research methods including surveys and experiments.
Chloé Lybaert is an Assistant Professor of Dutch as a Second Language in the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Communication (Ghent University). Among others she is interested in linguistic laypersons’ perceptions and attitudes towards language variation in Flanders. She has ample experience in designing surveys and experiments to answer her research questions effectively. She especially has experience in designing speaker evaluation experiments (such as matched guise experiments and variants).
Schedule
The contact hour are:
- Monday 14/07/2025, 14:00-15:30 & 16:00-17:30
- Tuesday 15/07/2025, 14:00-15:30 & 16:00-17:30
- Wednesday 16/07/2025, 14:00-15:30 & 16:00-17:30
- Thursday 17/07/2025, 14:00-15:30 & 16:00-17:30
- Friday 18/07/2025, 14:00-15:30 & 16:00-17:30