Survey Researchers
Have you ever followed news about presidential elections in any country around the world? If you've followed events unfolding in the United States before a presidential election, for example, you'll find a lot of news mentioning which candidate is likely to win the race. That news usually includes information from opinion polls suggesting which candidate is likely to win the largest share of votes - there are institutions and organizations that conduct specific opinion polls to find out what people think of the candidates. Studies and research involving opinion polls are conducted across many different areas of life. Some businesses need to know what customers think of their products and services, and many medical institutions run studies on how satisfied patients are with certain treatment methods. The experts responsible for designing the opinion polls used in these various studies and research projects are called "survey researchers."
Meet the Writer: Waleed Abo Omiraa
What You'll Actually Do
The core tasks and responsibilities that fill a typical day.
- Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
- Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
- Analyze data from surveys, old records, or case studies, using statistical software.
- Review, classify, and record survey data in preparation for computer analysis.
- Conduct research to gather information about survey topics.
- Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
- Collaborate with other researchers in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of surveys.
- Direct and review the work of staff members, including survey support staff and interviewers who gather survey data.
- Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.
- Produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.
- Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
- Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
- Direct updates and changes in survey implementation and methods.
- Hire and train recruiters and data collectors.
- Write training manuals to be used by survey interviewers.
- Write proposals to win new projects.