Improve your data! How to use surveys effectively in healthcare LIS research, evaluation and audit

 

Within the LIS professions, the use of surveys is a common and popular approach to data collection in the research process, however the complexities of survey design are often overlooked, and the survey is not always used as effectively as it could be. Good survey design is the key to gathering high quality, usable data. This face-to-face course is aimed at supporting health LIS interested in beginning a work based research project that uses a survey to get the best out of this method of data collection. The course will focus on: • Discussing the role and function of the survey as a data collection tool in research, evaluation and audit • Critiquing and reviewing question types and approaches to question use in surveys • Techniques for good practice in survey design • How to achieve validity, reliability and good methodological rigour in surveys • Techniques for planning and administering your survey effectively The course will focus on: • Discussing the role and function of the survey as a data collection tool in research, evaluation and audit • Critiquing and reviewing question types and approaches to question use in surveys • Techniques for good practice in survey design • How to achieve validity, reliability and good methodological rigour in surveys • Techniques for planning and administering your survey effectively

Within the LIS professions, the use of surveys is a common and popular approach to data collection in the research process (Davies, 2012), however the complexities of survey design are often overlooked, and the survey is not always used as effectively as it could be. This can have an impact on the quality of data collected which in turn affects aspects of reliability and validity in the research (Spring, 2013). This session will equip attendees with the relevant skills to achieve a high quality data set from their surveys and therefore more broadly supports the improvement of research data and output in the health LIS field. Davies, K. (2012) Content analysis of research articles in information systems (LIS) journals. Library and Information Research, 36 (112):16-28 Spring, H. 2013. The barriers to and priorities for research development in health librarianship. PhD thesis. Grant, M., Sen, B., Spring, H (eds). 2013. Research, evaluation and audit: ten practical steps to demonstrating your value. London: Facet

Learning Objectives

On completion of this workshop, participants will:

• Be able to discuss the role and function of the survey as a data collection tool in research

• Have critiqued and reviewed question types and approaches to question use in surveys

• Have learned and applied techniques for good practice in survey design

• Have gained techniques for achieving validity, reliability and good methodological rigour in surveys

• Be familiar with good practice approaches to planning and administering a survey

Agenda

50mins – Welcome and Introduction
• A formal presentation to introduce background context and an overview of good methodological practice in survey facilitation

50mins – Group Activity
• Survey design activity in small groups of approximately 4-6

15mins – BREAK

30mins - Group Activity
• Peer critiquing exercise on survey questions and design

20mins – Group Activity
• Group feedback activities

15mins – Individual and Shared Activity
• Individual and shared reflection activity around consideration of personal contexts and planning

5mins – Summary and close

Facility Requirements

• Room with cabaret style seating (to enable participants to work in small groups of approx. 6)

• Projector

• Internet access

 

MLA CE Credits: 3