Master 2024/2025

Measurement Theory and Questionaire Design

Type: Compulsory course (Comparative Social Research)

Area of studies: Sociology

Delivered by: School of Sociology

Where: Faculty of Social Sciences

When: 1 year, 2 module

Mode of studies: offline

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Master’s programme: Comparative Soсial Research

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The course covers the fundamental concepts of measurement theory and survey questionnaire design with an emphasis on cross-cultural research. We will cover the following topics: (1) basic rules of survey questionnaire design, (2) formulation of questions and response styles; (3) measurement error in survey questionnaires, (4) validity and reliability in survey research, (5) questionnaire evaluation, (6) writing reports on cognitive interviewing pre-testing. While completing the course does not mean that the participants will be good in designing and testing the questionnaires, however they will get more knowledge and expertise to design better questionnaires. The emphasis will be put on the questionnaire design in comparative and cross-cultural perspective. The course will be based on comparative research projects such as WVS, EVS, ESS, ISSP. The questions and items on different research areas (values, attitudes, subjective well-being, national identity, socio-demographic characteristics) will be considered.