Data Collection: Online, Telephone and Face-to-face
This course presents research conducted to increase our understanding of how data collection decisions affect survey errors. This is not a “how–to-do-it” course on data collection, but instead reviews the literature on survey design decisions and data quality in order to sensitize learners to how alternative survey designs might impact the data obtained from those surveys.
The course reviews a range of survey data collection methods that are both interview-based (face-to-face and telephone) and self-administered (paper questionnaires that are mailed and those that are implemented online, i.e. as web surveys). Mixed mode designs are also covered as well as several hybrid modes for collecting sensitive information e.g., self-administering the sensitive questions in what is otherwise a face-to-face interview. The course also covers newer methods such as mobile web and SMS (text message) interviews, and examines alternative data sources such as social media. It concentrates on the impact these techniques have on the quality of survey data, including error from measurement, nonresponse, and coverage, and assesses the tradeoffs between these error sources when researchers choose a mode or survey design.
Status: Interviewing Skills
Interviewing Skills
Status: Research Methodologies
Research Methodologies
Beginner·Course·21 hours
Featured reviews
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 12, 2020
It's very lengthy but complete knowledge about different types of interview methods. Thanks a lot!
4.0
·Reviewed Dec 28, 2019
Very useful material. however, could be presented more succinctly.
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 10, 2022
Professor Conrad is knowledgeable and easy to understand. I enjoyed the inteviews as well.
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 4, 2022
Overall, nicely designed course with material made as interesting as it could be made. Better slides/more engaging videos could me a space for improvement.
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 29, 2017
Enjoyed the course. I think it would be great if we could get the correct answers to questions we get wrong, even if it's an option.
4.0
·Reviewed Apr 24, 2018
I liked the course, but I think it should be more focused on web based surveys, as it is the dominant mode- form.
4.0
·Reviewed Oct 5, 2018
an other interesting Course amongst the series of Survey Data Collection and Analytics!
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 8, 2017
This is an excellent course. I am very satisfied with all the material.
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 20, 2016
Great ! Extremely intuitive ! A lot of state-of the art literature and bibliography. Excellent !
5.0
·Reviewed Nov 6, 2018
Very well thought of and extremly well designed course
5.0
·Reviewed Mar 27, 2019
Very good summary of the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to survey data collection, including some useful context about hybrid approaches.
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 30, 2017
The course is very informative and relevant to my professional work.
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P
Patrick
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 28, 2020
This course was excellent. In terms of content, I think the quality of the lectures really rivalled in-person instruction -- the professor is clearly incredibly well-versed in the subject matter, and listening to him really brought back the feeling of sitting in a lecture hall and just being fascinated by what was being presented. Great, relevant readings as well. Overall, a fantastic course for anyone looking to gain an understanding of the different ways surveys can be conducted.
E
Edema
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 30, 2017
Enjoyed the course. I think it would be great if we could get the correct answers to questions we get wrong, even if it's an option.
A
Abdirahman
5.0
·Reviewed Mar 18, 2017
I enjoyed learning this course from day one till I finish. The lecturer is awesome and the supplementary materials are well-prepared and extremely informative. Plentiful scientific literature on survey methodology are available to deepen you understanding on this topic. I particularly admire Fred Conrad, his expertise in Survey Methodology is unmatched. I wish I had him and this course when I was learning Statistics in college.
M
Mohammad
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 30, 2016
One of the richest course I've ever taken. The quizzes even help me to have a better understanding about the content of the course. Highly recommend to master and phd students particularly in social science.
S
Saif
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 20, 2016
There is one word for this Course "Amazing". No matter if you are a undergrad student or a seasoned researcher, you'll feel that you have learned a lot from this course.
J
JOSHUA
5.0
·Reviewed May 27, 2019
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the difference between mobile survey and web survey
difference between online and face to face interviews
difference between telephone interviews and computer interviws
A
Aritra
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 11, 2020
Super informative and content driven. Opened up a new world of information and knowledge regarding survey data collection. Never knew that so much research and analysis goes behind the science of data collection and recording. The touch of behavioral psychology was an added bonus. Kudos to Prof. Conrad and Prof. Kreuter!
R
Rahul
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 30, 2017
One of the best course I have ever taken online 🙌🙌. Dr. Fred Conrad's teaching style and lecture delivery is awesome 👏👏. The content of this course2 is more than awesome. A huge thanks to Dr. Conrad and coursera team for their effort and making learning so much fun 👍👍👏👏.
S
Sid
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 17, 2020
The best course in the specialization by far!!! It is clear that the professor cares about the topic and has put in a lot of effort to develop this course. This clearly shows through in the course. Others can take a lesson from Conrad in care and professionalism.
S
Saima
5.0
·Reviewed Jul 4, 2020
SIR Dr. Frederick Conrad is an excellent teacher. He has full grip on the topic. The material and the lectures are excellent
Kind Regards
Saima Khuhro
SP18-MSMG-0011
MOHAMMAD ALI JINNAH UNIVERSITY
KARACHI, PAKISTAN
E
Ellen
5.0
·Reviewed Mar 28, 2019
Very good summary of the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to survey data collection, including some useful context about hybrid approaches.
S
Spencer
5.0
·Reviewed Oct 5, 2022
Overall, nicely designed course with material made as interesting as it could be made. Better slides/more engaging videos could me a space for improvement.
M
Maximiliano
5.0
·Reviewed Dec 11, 2025
Great course! clear, well-organized, and very useful for understanding how high-quality surveys are designed and conducted. Highly recommended.
J
Jorge
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 14, 2016
Very nice course, with lots of insights about survey data collection and the issues related with getting right data for right inferences.
M
Mustapha
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 15, 2018
This course thought me exactly what i was expecting, the course lecturer is amazing and know exactly who make his student understand.
K
Katarzyna
5.0
·Reviewed Jan 19, 2017
This is an excellent and a very interesting course. I have found slides extremely helpful and the subject is well explaine
R
Ranit
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 13, 2020
It's very lengthy but complete knowledge about different types of interview methods. Thanks a lot!
G
George
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 21, 2016
Great ! Extremely intuitive ! A lot of state-of the art literature and bibliography. Excellent !
A
Anders
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 22, 2016
Excellent overview of survey modes. The interviews and use of research was especially helpful!
B
Baboni
5.0
·Reviewed Jun 11, 2022
Professor Conrad is knowledgeable and easy to understand. I enjoyed the inteviews as well.