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The University of Wisconsin Survey Center
University of Wisconsin - Madison
1800 University Ave. Rm 102
Madison, WI 53726
Free Short Courses for UW Faculty, Staff, and Students
To celebrate our 20th anniversary at UW-Madison, UWSC is offering free short courses on current topics in survey research methodology and administration. These courses are designed to demonstrate many of the fundamental techniques needed to obtain high quality data using survey methods.
Short Courses Schedule
| Friday, April 4, 9am-Noon | Implementing a Survey: A "How-To" Guide |
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| (John Stevenson, UWSC Associate Director) |
| Friday, April 18, 9am-Noon | Writing Survey Questions: The Essentials |
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| (Jennifer Dykema, UWSC Survey Methodologist) |
- This 3-hour short course will summarize research and guidelines on methods for writing and evaluating questions for surveys. Jennifer's lecture will provide attendees with basic and applied knowledge of the best ways to write survey items to obtain accurate and reliable data. Topics to be covered include an overview of measurement error, a discussion of developing and testing questions using cognitive interviewing, a detailed overview of the most important rules to follow when writing survey questions - including pitfalls to avoid, and a short introduction to more specialized issues in questionnaire design such as the best methods to use to ask about objective events (like doctor's visits) and subjective events (like attitudes and opinions). Throughout the discussion, Jennifer will highlight question-writing principles by showing "Original" and "Revised" versions of questions drawn from national surveys. The course will conclude with an in-class exercise that will allow participants to apply concepts.
| Friday, May 2, 9am-Noon | Designing Self-Administered Questionnaires |
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| (Kelly Elver, UWSC Survey Methodologist) |
Registration and Further Information
All short courses will be held in the Sewell Room on the 8th floor of the Sewell Social Sciences Building, with poster sessions and refreshments to follow. During the poster sessions, UWSC staff will be available for free consultation about your questionnaire or survey design.
Register for these courses at Office of Human Resources Development with information about registration.