Components of survey design

Survey design is a complex process. The various elements of the survey that must be designed are:

• the sampling methodology;

• the survey methodology; and

• the survey instrument.

Each of these elements is interdependent with the others. We cannot determine the survey methodology without knowing how we will undertake the survey. Similarly, the survey methodology puts certain constraints on the survey instrument and the sampling methodology. The choice of survey instrument will also affect the survey methodology and, sometimes, the sampling methodology that can be employed. Figure 5.1 shows a schematic of the overall process of undertaking a survey, and shows how different elements of the process interrelate.