Quantitative Research Methods: Secondary Data and Surveys

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Quantitative Research MethodsSecondary Data and
Surveys
John J. Green, Ph.D. Institute for
Community-Based Research Division of Social
Sciences/Center for Community and Economic
Development Delta State University Fall 2005
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Quantitative Research
In quantitative research, our attention is
shifted to the level and/or amounts of social
phenomena. Quantitative research often focuses
attention on the patterns among and between
phenomena as expressed through statistical
summaries. May be used for descriptive purposes
and theory testing. Here, we will look at two
common forms of quantitative research analysis
of secondary data and surveys.
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Secondary Data
Data collected by another party for a different
or broader purpose may be useful for
community-based research. Examples include
the U.S. Census Census of Agriculture CDC and
Health Department Reports American Housing
Survey General Social Survey
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For example, the U.S. Census Bureau provides data
on unemployment, income and poverty.
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Surveys
A method of research where data are obtained from
responses to a standardized questionnaire. Strate
gies for conducting surveys include Mail (ex.
Dillmans Total Design Method) Drop-off/pick-up
Group administered In-person/face-to-face Teleph
one (example Delta Rural Poll) Web-based
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The Delta Rural Poll (DRP) is a telephone survey
of residents in the eleven core Delta counties
Bolivar, Coahoma, Humphreys, Issaquena,
Leflore, Quitman, Sharkey, Sunflower,
Tallahatchie, Tunica and Washington. It is
conducted through a partnership between the
Center for Community and Economic Development
(Delta State University) and the Survey Research
Unit, Social Science Research Center (Mississippi
State University). The DRP is directed by Alan
Barton with assistance from faculty in the
Division of Social Sciences. Surveys were
conducted in 2003 (n 809) and 2005 (n
1009). Respondents were chosen using random
digit dialing.
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Quality of Life Assessment
To follow-up key-informant interviews, and as a
way to obtain data on Delta Rural Poll questions
in the community context, pilot surveys were
conducted in two communities in the summer of
2005. Mound Bayou (Bolivar County) and Ruleville
(Sunflower County). The Quality of Life
Assessment was directed by John Green with
assistance from Rebecca Kimport and Yolanda
Clark. Respondents (n 50 for each community,
total n 100) were chosen using multi-stage
cluster sampling. Interviews were conducted
face-to-face.
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Survey Techniques What are the Costs/Benefits
to Different Survey Tools?
In general. . . Mail surveys are often the
cheapest, but have lower response
rates. Telephone surveys are of moderate costs,
and have higher response rates. Face-to-face
surveys are high cost, but typically have the
highest response rates.