Final answer:
Researchers must evaluate multiple task characteristics when deciding on a survey method, such as the topic of research, data type, population and sample size, distribution method, survey design, and field research considerations.
Step-by-step explanation:
When researchers are selecting a survey method, they should consider several task characteristics to ensure the accuracy and reliability of their data. These characteristics include:
- The topic of research, which determines whether surveys are the most appropriate method compared to other research methods like case studies or ethnographies.
- The type of data required - whether it is quantitative, qualitative, or a mixture of both. Surveys are particularly useful for gathering large amounts of quantitative data through structured questions.
- The population and sample size - defining who should be surveyed to obtain representative results, and determining the size of the sample needed for statistical significance.
- The distribution method - deciding between online, phone, mail, or face-to-face based on the target population's accessibility and likely response rates.
- The survey design, which includes question construction, ordering, and whether predominantly closed or open-ended questions are used. The design should minimize bias and encourage honest responses.
- Field Research considerations such as the environment in which the survey will be conducted if it's outside a controlled setting.
Surveys like the one conducted by Ruth W. Howard's research of triplets, offer a way to obtain a large quantity of data. However, researchers must be mindful that the data's validity relies on honest self-reporting. The research question and population, such as targeting citizens across the United States for electoral predictions or Colorado residents for state propositions, inform the choice of survey method and the approach to a random and representative sampling process.