Entry
Entries A-Z
Survey (Sociology)
A broad term referring to a collection of questions (a questionnaire) designed to gather qualitative or quantitative social science data. Examples of surveys include the census, opinion polls, marketing research, and psychological instruments designed to identify mood or personality. Respondents may be asked the extent to which they agree or disagree with statements (Likert scale questions), to choose an answer to a question from a list provided by the researcher (closed-ended questions), or to provide their own answer to a question (open-ended questions). Surveys are administered by researchers in person, over the phone, through the mail, and, more commonly today, over the Internet.