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1. Week 1 Overview Introductions About Me About the Course Introduction to Survey Research Process Developing Research Objectives

2. About Me Originally trained as a historian – worked as a: Legal/historical consultant Archivist Fundraising researcher Married with two children Lived in the U.S., Toronto and Alberta before settling in Barrie in 2015 2018 RAPP Graduate Currently Senior Research Analyst in the Institutional Research Department at Georgian College

3. About the Course Three main foci for this course: Learn about the research process and the place of survey research within that process Learn, practice and master best practices related to survey design Incorporate survey data management and analysis skills into a 360° understanding of the survey project life cycle

4. Survey Research Process Overview

5. Keys to Success in This Course Attendance and participation Attention to schedules/deadlines Academic integrity Tools: Syllabus Blackboard readings/activities Class lectures and activities Consultation with me

6. Definitions What is a survey ? A quantitative research methodology in which a group of people is asked a set of questions in order to obtain information about group attitudes and/or behaviours What is a census ? A complete enumeration of a population in order to gather information about the population Comes from the Latin verb “ censere ” = “to assess” [for taxes] What is a questionnaire ? A series of questions asked to individuals to obtain statistically useful information about a given topic

7. Early Census History Highlights

8. “Modern” Survey Highlights

9. Main Uses of Surveys Today

10. Survey Research Process Overview

11. Time to take a survey! Go to the URL below to take a short survey about surveys!: https://georgiancollege.questionpro.ca/t/AB3uo0dZB3uxYG

12. Importance of Clear Research Objectives Clearly defined research objectives are critical to the success of a survey project. They provide: Reference point for all stakeholders regarding the focus of the project A set of guiding principles that will assist in: Selection of survey audience/target population and sampling method, and Questionnaire design Guideposts to focus analysis and reporting Consider the statement of objectives the “founding document” of your study

13. Statement of Objectives Process The process of creating a statement of objectives is a multi-step , iterative process involving the researcher, the client and the users of the survey results (if different than the client). There are several steps in creating a statement of objectives: Step 1: Identify the overall research topic and gather information about it Step 2: Define the goal(s) of the study Step 3: Formulate a clear research question and sub-questions Step 4: Develop both a general objective statement and specific objectives NOTE: This process is iterative and may involve repetition of some steps.

14. Gathering Information Two main sources for information: Client consultation Who are the clients and what do they need to know? Why do they need to know it? Is there contextual information that helps inform the study design? Other underlying issues? Existing research on the topic(s) of interest (Literature Review) What have other researchers uncovered regarding related topics? What conceptual definitions and methods have they used?

15. Concepts and Operational Definitions Define the target population(s). What topics (or concepts) will the survey cover? What do we really mean by those concepts? How have other researchers defined and measured the concepts of interest? Where will you survey? Urban/rural (how are we defining? How have others defined?) Specific community What is the reference period for the survey? Seasonality? Timeframe of interest

16. Goal Definition What is the ultimate purpose of the research? (i.e. how will this research be used?): Marketing design and targeting? Process/product improvement? Service gap identification? Program evaluation? Market testing? Social awareness?

17. Research Question Formulation Research questions should: Problematize both the overall goal of the research and the specific elements needed to achieve that goal Identify the variables being investigated and the target population and timeframe needed to answer the question Include both a broad research question and subsidiary investigative questions What do we want to know? What specific pieces of information do we need to gather in order to effectively answer the overarching question?

18. Statement of Objectives – Best Practices Objectives should: Flow from the research question(s) Present a set of actions planned to address the questions Use action verbs like: assess, establish, determine, compare, evaluate, measure, identify, analyze, etc. Avoid vague verbs like: study, understand, etc. Include both a general objective and specific objectives General objective – Lays out the overall purpose for the study Specific objectives – Focuses on specific variables/themes that shed light on the general objective

19. Example – Green Prescription Program Situation: The South Georgian Bay Community Health Centre (SGBCHC) in Wasaga Beach is considering piloting a “Green Prescription” program for lower income clients with multiple health issues and wants to do some preliminary research to see whether such a program might be successful with their target clientele

20. Gathering Info – Green Prescriptions Step 1: Gathering Information Preliminary Research (Literature Review) – What is a “Green Prescription”? What research has been done on them? What factors have other researchers identified as influencing Green Prescription program success/failure? Client consultation Who will be using the collected data? For what purpose(s)? Who do we want to include? Does it matter when we ask? What other pieces of contextual data are needed?

21. Gathering Info – Green Prescriptions (cont.) Step 1: Gathering Information Literature review provides insights regarding some potential areas of investigation that should be covered, e.g.: Impact of chronic health conditions and fear of injury Transportation issues and other accessibility concerns Difficulties with changing routines Importance of tailoring green prescriptions to individual needs/interests Importance of regular doctor engagement/follow-up with patients regarding Green Prescription progress Source: Patel et al. (December 2012). Journal of Primary Health Care 4(4).

22. Goal Definition – Green Prescriptions Step 2: Research Goal What is it the clients truly want to accomplish through our research on Green Prescriptions? Obtain actionable intelligence that will tell them whether or not there would be sufficient interest – i.e. buy-in – from the target client group to make a pilot project worthwhile

23. Research Questions – Green Prescriptions Step 3: Research Questions The data needs we are facing: To what extent are SGBCHC clientele – especially low income clients with multiple health issues – open to participating in a Green Prescription pilot program? Investigative questions: Would prospective participants be willing to take part in a program that involved prescribing outdoor activity? What would be potential drivers and/or barriers to participation in a Green Prescription program? How do specific conditions, disabilities, etc. impact willingness to participate?

24. Research Objectives – Green Prescriptions Step 4: Research Objectives General objective (i.e. what we are trying to do): To assess the interest level in a potential “Green Prescription” program among SGBCHC clientele – especially low income clients with multiple health issues Specific objectives: To assess the willingness of prospective participants to take part in a program that involves prescribed outdoor activity To identify drivers and/or barriers to participation in a Green Prescription program To analyze the impact of specific factors, conditions, disabilities, etc. on willingness to participate

25. Research Objectives – Practice In order to practice developing research objectives we will: Divide up into groups of 4-5 Each group will be given a scenario Each group will discuss and fill out the Statement of Objectives template provided in Blackboard Present their results to the class