Surveys

A survey could be defined as a technique of data collection generally involving systematic and structured questioning, either as a smaller sample of respondents using interviews or of a relatively large number of respondents using a (web-based or postal) questionnaire. The purpose of a survey in health care may be concerned with topics such as identifying factors associated with a disease, assessing the use and acceptability of services, and the effects and side effects of health care. Every survey should have a primary purpose so as to give an adequate answer to at least one specific question.

Examples of research questions:

• What is the service organisation for patients admitted to hospital as acute medical emergencies and the pattern of consultant doctor cover?

• How widely do doctors endorse and follow the principles of open and honest communication with patients?

• What is the prevalence of honorary or ghost authorship in leading medical journals?

Useful references:

• Gideon L, editor. Handbook of survey methodology for the social sciences. New York: Springer; 2012 Jun 21.

• Ponto, Julie. "Understanding and evaluating survey research." Journal of the advanced practitioner in oncology 6, no. 2 (2015): 168.