Resident opinion surveys
Description
Resident opinion surveys involve people responding to a questionnaire either through completing a form or answering the questions in an interview. For example, door-to-door or street interviews.
Potential uses
Resident surveys are a way of finding out the opinions of local people on a particular topic in a structured way that can be extensively analysed.
They are also a method for gathering data on the profile of an area and to act as a baseline for measuring changes in people's views.
They can also provide an opportunity for people to find out about the study or initiative that is taking place. Questionnaires can also be a prompt to further involvement, with participants asked if they would like to receive information or invitations to events in the future.
These surveys have the potential to reach a large number of people and can be a way of gauging the views of people who may not be in a position to engage in other ways.
How it works
With postal surveys, a better response is usually achieved if there is a prize draw for returned questionnaires.
Door-to-door surveys mean the quality and level of response may be better and they also allow a greater level of personal interaction. Door-to-door surveys can also ensure that certain groups, for example young people or people living in a particular street, are targeted.
Resources required
Resources for a questionnaire include staff or external research costs in designing the questionnaire and the art of analysing the data.
For the door-to-door surveys additional resources will be needed to employ staff to carry out the survey; in a self-completion survey, there will be mailing costs.
Further information
This site from the US includes advice on when and how to carry out a survey:
