Surveys remain one of the most powerful tools for understanding what people know, do, and believe—but designing a survey that produces valid and reliable data is far from simple. Researchers face critical decisions at every stage: Which sampling approach ensures representativeness? How do you craft questions that minimize bias? What strategies maximize response rates and data quality?
This webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the survey design process, blending literature with practical, real-world examples. Whether you’re new to surveys or seeking a refresher, this session equips you with actionable strategies to design surveys that deliver trustworthy insights on family life and inform policies affecting family well-being. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for making informed design decisions that elevate the quality and impact of your research.
Objective(s):
Participants will learn best practices grounded in methodological rigor including
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Selecting sampling strategies (including probability‑based panels) that produce representative data for diverse family populations and subgroups.
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Designing and testing effective questionnaires to reduce measurement error and enhance cultural and contextual validity for family topics.
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Implementing practical strategies to increase participation and minimize nonresponse bias among families across life stages and demographic groups.
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Understanding tradeoffs in survey mode, weighting, and post‑survey processing that affect inference for family research and policy evaluation.
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Utilizing probability-based web panels such as AmeriSpeak to support rigorous, generalizable family research.
Intended Audience: Family Life Educators, Researchers
Approved for 1.0 hour of CFLE continuing education