Using Surveys in Language Programs

by James Dean Brown

• ISBN13: 9780521796569
• ISBN10: 0521796563
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-18
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

This text presents a comprehensive but practical overview of how to develop and implement effective survey projects. This book presents a comprehensive but practical overview of the different phases and activities involved in the development and implementation of effective survey projects by language teaching professionals. It is accessible to graduate students, language teachers, administrators, and researchers. The theoretical and practical issues involved in survey design are defined and discussed. Each chapter includes a list of key terms, a set of review questions, and a collection of exercises for practical application. Language teaching professionals will find all the crucial information needed to survey students and teachers about their beliefs and practices.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Planning a survey project	1	(29)
Available tools for gathering information	2	(5)
The steps in a survey project	7	(5)
The goals of language surveys	12	(4)
Operationalizing key concepts	16	(2)
Formulating language survey research questions	18	(5)
Examples of survey planning	23	(4)
Summary	27	(1)
Suggestions for further reading	28	(1)
Important terms	28	(1)
Review questions	29	(1)
Applications	29	(1)
Designing a survey instrument	30	(41)
Types of questions surveys can answer	30	(4)
Functions of surveys	34	(1)
Different response and question formats	35	(9)
Guidelines for writing good survey questions	44	(11)
Guidelines for producing a polished questionnaire	55	(8)
Examples of designing a survey instrument	63	(5)
Summary	68	(1)
Suggestions for further reading	68	(1)
Important terms	68	(1)
Review questions	69	(1)
Application exercises	69	(2)
Gathering and compiling survey data	71	(43)
The importance of sampling	71	(3)
Pros and cons of interviews and questionnaires	74	(4)
Using interviews and questionnaires sequentially	78	(1)
Administering interviews	79	(6)
Administering questionnaires	85	(7)
Compiling survey data	92	(9)
Examples of gathering and compiling survey data	101	(10)
Summary	111	(1)
Suggestions for further reading	111	(1)
Important terms	112	(1)
Review questions	112	(1)
Application exercises	112	(2)
Analyzing survey data statistically	114	(98)
Descriptive statistics for analyzing survey results	114	(16)
Statistical tests for analyzing survey results	130	(41)
Checking survey reliability statistically	171	(5)
Survey validity	176	(15)
General guidelines for statistical studies	191	(1)
Examples of analyzing survey data statistically	192	(16)
Summary	208	(1)
Suggestions for further reading	208	(1)
Important terms	209	(1)
Review questions	210	(1)
Application exercises	210	(2)
Analyzing survey data qualitatively	212	(41)
Data reduction	213	(2)
Data display	215	(8)
Conclusion drawing and verification	223	(8)
Methods for estimating the reliability of qualitative survey data	231	(9)
Existing guidelines for qualitative studies	240	(2)
Examples of analyzing survey data qualitatively	242	(7)
Summary	249	(1)
Suggestions for further reading	249	(1)
Important terms	250	(1)
Review questions	250	(1)
Application exercises	251	(2)
Reporting on a survey project	253	(20)
How should a survey report be organized?	253	(6)
Examples of reporting on a survey project	259	(11)
Summary	270	(1)
Suggestions for further reading	270	(1)
Important terms	270	(1)
Review questions	270	(1)
Application exercises	271	(2)
Appendix A Language testing course description questionnaire	273	(6)
Appendix B TESOL Research Task Force questionnaire	279	(5)
Appendix C Reading course evaluation questionnaire for students	284	(3)
Appendix D Reading course evaluation interview questions for ESL teachers	287	(1)
Appendix E Reading course evaluation: Non-ESL faculty questionnaire	288	(2)
Appendix F Foreign TA training project needs analysis: Interview questionnaire sheet	290	(2)
Appendix G Example cover letter	292	(2)
Appendix H Second language teaching and curriculum survey: Teaching assistant and lecturer support services in Manoa language courses	294	(3)
Appendix I Language teaching activity preference survey	297	(2)
References	299	(8)
Name index	307	(4)
Subject index	311