Overview
Development of skills to plan a survey including how to identify appropriate research questions, sample participants, construct and validate a questionnaire, and analyse data descriptively.
The lecturer will give support to students to choose a research topic, which will be developed in the assignments. The paper will give an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of questionnaire methodologies and help prepare students for research at master's level.
About this paper
| Paper title | Survey Methods |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (13 July 2026 - 4 September 2026) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,743.38 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- HASC 419
- Limited to
- MA, MSc, MHealSc, MPH, DPH, PGDipArts, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPHC, PGCertPH, PGCertPHC
- Eligibility
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.
- Contact
Christchurch Campus: publichealth.christchurch@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
Christchurch Campus: Dr. Jai Whelan (Overall Convener)
- Paper Structure
- Introduction to the survey research process; assumptions in survey research/developing research questions; writing a literature review.
- Doing a literature search; research ethics.
- Questionnaire development and construction.
- Data collection methods; piloting and administering surveys.
- Qualtrics trouble shooting; Sampling.
- Consideration of statistical aspects in survey research including what is required by a biostatistician; Interpreting and writing up data.
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
Webinar sessions: Thursday mornings, 9am - 11am.
- Textbooks
Readings will be made available via eReserve.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the assumptions underpinning survey research
- Design a rigorous survey
- Exhibit an understanding of ethical factors that influence the design and conduct of survey research
- Construct and pilot a questionnaire
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to prepare survey data for analysis and how to present survey results.
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment 1: 40%
- Assignment 2: 60%
Overview
Development of skills to plan a survey including how to identify appropriate research questions, sample participants, construct and validate a questionnaire, and analyse data descriptively.
The lecturer will give support to students to choose a research topic, which will be developed in the assignments. The paper will give an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of questionnaire methodologies and help prepare students for research at master's level.
About this paper
| Paper title | Survey Methods |
|---|---|
| Subject | Public Health |
| EFTS | 0.125 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | 1st Non standard period (12 July 2027 - 3 September 2027) (Distance learning) |
| Delivery mode | The Distance Learning offering of this paper is taught and assessed remotely |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- HASC 419
- Limited to
- MA, MSc, MHealSc, MPH, DPH, PGDipArts, PGDipHealSc, PGDipPHC, PGCertPH, PGCertPHC
- Eligibility
Students who have completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline or recognised equivalent.
- Contact
Christchurch Campus: publichealth.christchurch@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on postgraduate studies in Public Health
- Teaching staff
To be confirmed.
- Paper Structure
- Introduction to the survey research process; assumptions in survey research/developing research questions; writing a literature review.
- Doing a literature search; research ethics.
- Questionnaire development and construction.
- Data collection methods; piloting and administering surveys.
- Qualtrics trouble shooting; sampling.
- Consideration of statistical aspects in survey research including what is required by a biostatistician; interpreting and writing up data.
- Teaching Arrangements
This Distance Learning paper is taught remotely.
Webinar sessions: Thursday mornings, 9am - 11am.
- Textbooks
Readings will be made available via eReserve.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the assumptions underpinning survey research
- Design a rigorous survey
- Exhibit an understanding of ethical factors that influence the design and conduct of survey research
- Construct and pilot a questionnaire
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to prepare survey data for analysis and how to present survey results.
- Assessment details
Assessment:
- Assignment 1 (40%)
- Assignment 2 (60%)