Conducting surveys is a key tool of social science methods. My focus has been with household and community surveys, but I have also had the honor of teaching with Prof. Randy Kramer. As part of a lecture I gave to “Social Science Survey Methods,” I prepared a summary of some of the available survey technologies, and various characteristics to consider when developing a survey project and choosing survey tools.
Computer and web-based surveys provide lots of powerful tools for survey work, from efficient structure and programming, to mobile deployment and database management.
I evaluated a number of computer surveys technologies
- Google Forms
- mWater.co
- Survey Monkey
- Survey Gizmo
- Qualtrics
- Knowledge Networks
- CSPro
- QuickTap Survey
- Survey Anyplace
along parameters of:
- Cost
- Online access
- Advanced survey features
- Mobile options
- Offline options
- Sampling Frame
and created the following table: