Q1.

A) Survey data is defined as the resultant data that is collected from a sample of
respondents that took a survey. This data is comprehensive information gathered from a
target audience about a particular topic of interest to conduct research on the basis of
this collected data.
B)There are many methods used to gather survey data for statistical analysis in research.
Various mediums are used to collect feedback and opinions from the desired sample of
individuals. While conducting survey research, researchers prefer multiple sources to
gather data such as online surveys, telephonic surveys, face-to-face surveys etc. The
medium of gathering survey data decides the sample of people that are to be reached out
to, to reach the requisite number of survey responses.

1. Online Surveys
Online surveys are the most cost-effective and can reach the maximum number of people in
comparison to the other mediums. The performance of these surveys is much more widespread
than the other data collection methods. In situations where there are more than one
questions to be asked to the target sample, certain researchers prefer conducting online
surveys over the traditional face-to-face or telephone surveys.
Online surveys are effective and therefore require computational logic and branching
technologies for exponentially more accurate survey data collection, vs any other
traditional means of surveying. They are straightforward in their implementation and take
almost minimum time of the respondents. The investment required for survey data collection
using online surveys is also negligible in comparison to the other methods. The results
are collected in real-time for researchers to analyze and decide corrective measures.
2. Face-to-face Surveys
Gaining information from respondents via face-to-face mediums is much more effective than
the other mediums because respondents usually tend to trust the surveyors and provide
honest and clear feedback about the subject in-hand.
Researchers can easily identify whether their respondents are uncomfortable with the asked
questions and can be extremely productive in case there are sensitive topics involved in
the discussion. This survey data collection method demands more cost-investment than in
comparison to the other methods. According to the geographic or psychographic
segmentation, researchers must be trained to gain accurate information.

3. Telephone Surveys
Telephone surveys require much lesser investment than face-to-face surveys. Depending on
the required reach, telephone surveys cost as much or a little more than online surveys.
Contacting respondents via the telephonic medium requires less effort and manpower than
the face-to-face survey medium.
Interviewers, if located at the same location, can cross-check their questions to ensure
error-free questions are asked to the target audience. The main drawback of conducting
telephone surveys is that establishing a friendly equation with the respondent becomes
challenging due to the bridge of the medium. Respondents are also highly likely to choose
to remain anonymous in their feedback over the phone as the reliability associated with
the researcher can be questioned.

4. Paper Surveys
The other commonly used survey method is paper surveys. These surveys can be used where
laptops, computers and tablets cannot go and hence they use the age old method of data
collection; pen and paper. This method helps collect survey data in field research and
helps strengthen the number of responses collected and the validity of these response.
A popular example or use case of a paper survey is a fast food restaurant survey where
the fast food chain would like to collect feedback on the dining experience of its
patrons.
There are four ways of presentig servey data
Textual Method
The reader acquires information through reading the gathered data.
Tabular Method
Provides a more precise, systematic and orderly presentation of data in rows or columns.
Semi-tabular Method
Uses both textual and tabular methods.
Graphical Method
The utilization of graphs is most effective method of visually presenting statistical
results or findings.

Q 2) Strengths and weaknesses of survey data

Online surveys and mobile surveys tend to be the most cost-effective modes of survey
research, yet they may not reach those respondents that can only respond using alternate
modes. Results of online surveys and mobile surveys may suffer and differ greatly if
important respondents are left out of the research. Hard-to-reach respondents may be
easier to reach using more traditional methods such as paper surveys or face-to-face
interviews.

Advanced survey software solutions have multi-mode capabilities for online surveys, mobile
surveys, email surveys, paper surveys, kiosk surveys, and more, giving researchers the
ability to survey even the hardest-to reach consumers, and analyze data from all survey
modes collectively.
The ability to reach respondents is one challenge of surveys. However, surveys have
several advantages and disadvantages. They are as follows:

strengths
 Relatively easy to administer
  Can be developed in less time (compared to other data-collection methods)
 Cost-effective, but cost depends on survey mode
 Can be administered remotely via online, mobile devices, mail, email, kiosk, or
telephone.
 Conducted remotely can reduce or prevent geographical dependence
 Capable of collecting data from a large number of respondents
 Numerous questions can be asked about a subject, giving extensive flexibility in
data analysis
 With survey software, advanced statistical techniques can be utilized to analyze
survey data to determine validity, reliability, and statistical significance,
including the ability to analyze multiple variables
 A broad range of data can be collected (e.g., attitudes, opinions, beliefs, values,
behavior, factual).
 Standardized surveys are relatively free from several types of errors

Weaknesses
The reliability of survey data may depend on the following factors:
 Respondents may not feel encouraged to provide accurate, honest answers
 Respondents may not feel comfortable providing answers that present themselves in a
unfavorable manner.
 Respondents may not be fully aware of their reasons for any given answer because of
lack of memory on the subject, or even boredom.
 Surveys with closed-ended questions may have a lower validity rate than other
question types.
 Data errors due to question non-responses may exist. The number of respondents who
choose to respond to a survey question may be different from those who chose not to
respond, thus creating bias.
 Survey question answer options could lead to unclear data because certain answer
options may be interpreted differently by respondents. For example, the answer
option “somewhat agree” may represent different things to different subjects, and
have its own meaning to each individual respondent. ‘Yes’ or ‘no’ answer
options can also be problematic. Respondents may answer “no” if the option “only
once” is not available.
 Customized surveys can run the risk of containing certain types of errors
Q3) The best way to utilize a census data
Total Population Size Data: When two or more census counts are compared for the
same location, planners can determine if locales are increasing or decreasing in size.
 Age and Sex Data: Used to help identify segments of the population that require
different types of services.
 Sex Data: Sex ratios can be calculated by 5-year age groups to crudely observe
migration, especially among the working age cohorts.
 Marital Status Data: Used to provide insights into family formation and housing
needs.
 Household Composition and Size Data: Used to help determine housing needs for
related and unrelated households.
 Education Attainment and Literacy Data: Used to provide information on the
educational skills of the work force. These measures also help planners select the
best strategies to communicate with residents.
 Location of Residence and Place of Prior Residence Data: Helps assess changes in
rural and urban areas. Place of prior residence helps to identify communities that
are experiencing in- or out-migration.
 Occupation and Labor Force Participation Data: Helps to provide insights into the
labor force of a given locale. The information can be used to develop economic
development strategies.
 Living Quarter Characteristics Data: Can help planners determine housing and
community facility needs.