Fundamentals of Survey Research Methodology in Social Sciences Research in Nigeria

This paper provides a complete review of survey research, explaining what it is and how it is used in Social Sciences. It looks at the different approaches used in survey research, going through each step from developing the questions to collecting and analyzing data. It also evaluates both the benefits and the drawbacks of survey research, such as the ability to reach a large number of people efficiently and the possible issues like lack of flexibility and difficulty in gathering in-depth information. Important aspects of survey designs, such as selecting a sample, deciding on the size of the sample, and choosing the method of data collection (like phone calls, face-to-face interviews, mail, or online tools), are discussed. It highlights factors that need to be considered for accuracy, grouping people into different categories, and managing resources. The study also stresses the need for clear and unbiased questions, using the right types of questions (like open-ended or closed-ended ones), and methods to reduce the influence of personal opinions on responses. It also emphasizes the importance of following ethical standards, such as getting informed consent and keeping data private. It recommends ways to improve the quality of survey research, such as using random or stratified sampling methods, keeping questions neutral, offering incentives to participants, combining surveys with qualitative methods for more depth, and using technology for better efficiency. By tackling these challenges, researchers can make their surveys more accurate and dependable, ensuring that the results truly contribute to academic research, policy decisions, and social programs.

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