Asking and answering survey questions: Cognitive and communicative processes
A Summer School co-arranged by Örebro University and Statistics Sweden
Self-reports of behaviors and attitudes are a major source of data in official statistics and social science research. Constructed measurement instruments (e.g. questionnaires) seek to measure values of target variables derived from specified research problems, with the intention to provide with statistical estimates of population characteristics. These estimates are in turn used for decisions on policy making, tests of scientific hypothesis, investments, marketing strategies, etc. Unfortunately, the data are only as meaningful as the answers respondents provide. The design of the measurement instrument is here crucial for obtaining intended measurements and for valid statistical inference. This is a less well treated problem in regular courses in statistics. The summer school provides with an opportunity to learn about problems involved in the construction of measurement instruments.
If you have any questions you are welcome to contact Thomas Laitila (thomas.laitila@scb.se, +46 70 338 62 42).