WEB SURVEY DESIGN A two-day short course sponsored by the Joint Program in Survey Methodology

JANUARY 11-12, 2010
Presented at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda MD

MICK P. COUPER  
Research Professor
Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan
Joint Program in Survey Methodology, University of Maryland

COURSE ABSTRACT
The course will focus on the design of Web survey instruments and procedures, based on theories of human-computer interaction, interface design, and empirical research on Web survey design and implementation.  The course will begin with a review of Web or Internet surveys in the general context of sources of survey error (sampling, coverage, nonresponse, measurement error, and costs).  The course will then discuss different approaches to Web survey design (e.g., scrolling versus paging) and discuss various design approaches for developing effective Web surveys.  The course will draw on empirical results from experiments on alternative design approaches as well as practical experience in the design and implementation of Web surveys.  The course will not focus on the technical aspects of Web survey implementation, such as hardware, software or programming. 
 
PREREQUISITES
A working knowledge of survey research methods will be assumed. No knowledge of Web programming or scripting (HTML, JavaScript) or any particular software package is necessary.

THE INSTRUCTOR
Mick Couper is a Research Professor in the Survey Research Center at the Institute for Social Research and in the Joint Program in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland. He received a Ph.D. in sociology from Rhodes University, an M.A. in applied social research from the University of Michigan and an M.Soc.Sc. from the University of Cape Town. He is co-author of Nonresponse in Household Interview Surveys, chief editor of Computer Assisted Survey Information Collection, co-author of Survey Methodology (all published by Wiley), and author of Designing Effective Web Surveys (Cambridge). His current research interests focus on aspects of technology use in surveys, whether by interviewers or respondents.

SUBMIT QUESTIONS, TOPICS AND EXAMPLES
The instructor would like to provide an opportunity for those who will be attending the Web Survey Design course to raise specific questions or provide examples to be discussed in class.  If there are specific topics you want addressed, or if you have examples of Web surveys you would be willing to share in exchange for specific discussion on these issues in class, please send these (either as an attachment or as a link to the survey) to jpsmshort@isr.umich.edu, and the instructor will do  his  best to address these issues during the course.  Please send these by 5 PM on Monday January 4th, at the latest.  The instructor cannot provide personal feedback on any submissions, and this is not an offer of free consulting, but rather an attempt to make the course more relevant to the specific needs of participants.

COURSE MATERIALS
Registrants will be provided with a copy of the book “Designing Effective Web Surveys” and a course lecture notebook.

MEALS
JPSM group continental breakfasts, lunches and refreshments are included in the course fee.

DAILY CHECK-IN
Course registrants should check-in with JPSM Onsite each day of the course.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

JPSM CITATION PROGRAM
The citation programs are built around the JPSM short courses. The JPSM Citation in Introductory Survey Methodology is designed to provide the working professional and interested students with state-of-the-art knowledge about current principles and practices for conducting complex surveys combined with practical skills of day-to-day utility. The JPSM Citation in Introductory Economic Measurement is designed for professional staff requiring a grounding in the principles and practices of economic measurement. Completion of the citation programs involves taking a semester-length JPSM credit-bearing course and eight JPSM short courses, of which four are specified core courses. For information on the Certificate and Citation Programs visit the website at http://www.jpsm.org or call (301) 314-7911.

HYATT REGENCY BETHESDA
One Bethesda Metro Center, 7400 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814
Front Desk: (301) 657-1234 Web: http://bethesda.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml

The course will be held at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, One Bethesda Metro Center, 7400 Wisconsin Avenue, at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Old Georgetown Road in Maryland.  Registrants seeking accommodation can call the hotel’s front desk at (301) 657-1234. The hotel is in the heart of Maryland's high-tech corridor, just 6 miles from downtown Washington, D.C., with convenient access to the Capital Beltway and Metro Subway.

OVERNIGHT ROOMS
Individuals are responsible for making their own overnight room reservations and for payment.

PARKING
Registrants are responsible for parking costs. There is a parking garage located directly underneath the Hotel which offers both valet and self-parking. The garage is not owned or operated by the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.

METRO RAIL
The Hyatt is accessible via the Metro Red Line at the Bethesda Metro stop.

JPSM SHORT COURSE
Questions for this course should be directed to the JPSM Short Course, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Room 4050, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2321, Phone: (800) 937-9320, Fax: (734) 764-8263, Email: jpsmshort@isr.umich.edu.

Short Courses: www.jpsm.org/shortcourses
Sponsor Affiliate List: projects.isr.umich.edu/jpsm/info.cfm#sponsors
JPSM Home Page: www.jpsm.org
Tax Indentification (University of Michigan): 38-6006309
DUNS (University of Michigan): 073133571