First of all, survey research is a quantitative research method-you need training that will make you comfortable using and understanding data.
The exact focus can be quite diverse-social science fields like Political Science, Sociology, and Economics provide a variety of opportunities to use public opinion survey measurements. Marketing research classes in business schools use survey data to study consumers. Journalists are perhaps the fastest growing sector in the polling community-all of the major national media are involved in survey data collection so they may better serve their readers or viewers.
Here are some ideas for educational options that will prepare you for a position in survey research:
Undergraduate Study to Prepare for a Survey Research Career
Schools offering undergraduate as well as graduate degrees often have a survey research center affiliated with them. Working at one of these centers would give you an excellent introduction into the field of survey research.
When selecting undergraduate courses consider taking Research Methods or Survey Methodology classes. Many social science departments offer them at the undergraduate level. This will provide you an overview of various ways that research is collected, including the use of surveys. Introductory Statistics courses will also provide a broader comfort zone for working with data.
Graduate Studies Programs in Survey Research
There are some schools that offer a Master's degree or Specialization in the field of survey research. Among them are:
Summer Internships
- The GESIS Summer School in Survey Methodology 2013 will be held from August 8 to 30 at GESIS Cologne, Germany. The program offers high quality training in state of the art techniques and methods of
survey research. It aims to equip participants with essential skills in the design, planning, execution, documentation and quality assurance of surveys
of households, individuals or organisations. This Summer School is unique in Europe with its focus on Survey Methodology and data collection. For more
information about the program and how to register, see http://www.gesis.org/en/events/gesis-summer-school/. The registration deadline is June 1st but to secure a place and affordable accommodation, they recommend early registration.
- ICPSR Summer Program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research provides a comprehensive, integrated program of studies in research design,
statistics, data analysis, and social science methodology. Its instructional environment stresses integration of methods of quantitative analysis
within a broader context of substantive social research. Instruction is grounded in interactive, participatory data-analysis utilizing high-end,
networked microcomputers. For more information about the program and how to register, see http://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/sumprog/
Professional organizations that can provide you with information about the field include:
- AAPOR: The American Association for Public Opinion Research is the professional organization of the industry, and the membership crosses over the academic, commercial and government sectors. Regional chapters provide a local network of colleagues and local conferences. Regions represented by these chapters include: New York, Pacific, Midwest, Washington DC, New England, New Jersey, and South.
- ASA: American Statistical Association The Survey Methods Section of the ASA offers a brochure titled: What Is a Survey? that describes how surveys are conducted.
- CASRO: The Council of American Survey Research Organizations
- COPAFS: Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics
- COSSA: Consortium of Social Science Associations
- ESOMAR: The World Association of Research Professionals
- MRA: Marketing Research Association
- NCPP: The National Council on Public Polls
- WAPOR: The World Association for Public Opinion Research
For more tips on a career in survey research, visit: http://www.bookrags.com/research/opinion-polling-careers-in-eci-02/
For further information please contact The Roper Center at 860.486.4440 or rcweb@ropercenter.uconn.edu.
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