The undergraduate Minor in Survey Methodology is a cross-disciplinary program offered by the Joint Program in Survey Methodology (JPSM) within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS).  Students in the program will explore the theoretical foundations of survey design and survey data collection, together with the practical application of this theoretical material. Completion of the minor will prepare students to enter careers in the Federal statistical system or any of the numerous private sector firms that collect survey data to inform decision-making, as well as for further graduate study in the field of survey methodology.  In addition, students aspiring to careers in fields such as marketing, political consulting, economics or the social sciences that rest on the collection and use of survey data will benefit from the understanding of the data collection process that they will acquire.

Student Learning Outcomes

 

Whether collecting information from survey respondents or making use of data collected by means of such surveys, individuals in many fields require an understanding of the process of designing surveys and collecting survey data.  Requisite knowledge areas include the principles of questionnaire design, selecting survey samples to represent populations of interest, modes of data collection, and the use of weights in the analysis of survey data, among other topics.