Pilot Survey
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Pilot Survey
You are required to write
1) A brief research proposal and review at least 3 papers on the topic of your choice from the general areas of interest listed below (max 1300 words).
2) Explain why you chose that topic and offer a hypothesis about the relationship between two or more variables concerning that topic. Design and include at least three research objectives.
3) You are required to design a questionnaire for a pilot test based on a specific research question. Choose one of the following areas and construct your research question around one of these general areas of interest after reviewing the literature:
The Irish Economy.
The role of Inflation and Taxation.
Sustainability and climate change.
The questionnaire should be completed on an MS Word document and would be a postal questionnaire (Include the questionnaire in the appendix not included in the word count). Ensure to explain the structure and design of the questionnaire and use references from the materials given in class e.g Fowler (max 1000 words).
4) Describe how the data collection method influences construction of the questionnaire.
5)Distribute your pilot survey to at least THREE individuals and get feedback (Scan/Take a photo and include these responses in the appendix when submitting. These are not counted in the length of the report. Unclear photos/scans will not be graded).
6) Describe in detail the shortcomings found in your questionnaire and the changes implemented to the design of the questionnaire.
7) Create a Learning Log by recording your observations and experiences when piloting your survey.
A learning log is to promote learning from experience. By recording observations and experiences as well as relevant reflections, the learning process is facilitated during practice. The Learning Log is a tool for identifying and reflecting on what is being learned. By providing a transcript of the evolution of the learning, it enhances awareness of the learning from the experience.
The log should contain 2 paragraphs(300-500 words);
The first paragraph should describe the process and how the questionnaire evolved and changed from the feedback given.
The second paragraph should include a reflection on and record of what you have learnt about pilot testing and questionnaire design. This paragraph of your log should describe your observations and your experiences as a contribution to your learning.
Length of report: Not more than 3,000 words typed Times New Roman using 1.5 spacing.
100%
Research Question/objectives/review the literature 20
Pilot Questionnaire/design and content 50
Draft Questionnaire/Scan/photo/data collection 10
Describe the process/how it evolved from the feedback 10
Reflection/observation on what you have learnt 5
Referencing/word count 5
This assignment will be graded out of 50% of your overall mark for EC3142
Students should keep their own copy of the assignment as the copy submitted is retained for external examiners.
Always ensure that you keep a backup of your work. A faulty back up will NOT be accepted as a reason for requesting an extension beyond the assignment deadline.
Deadline: submitted by November 6th 2023 (provisional deadline). Any submissions beyond this deadline will incur a penalty.
The Department of Economics exams website (http://www.ucc.ie/en/economics/resources/exams/) gives information on Yearswork Assessment. All documentation to be considered by the Departmental Examinations Committee for the granting of permission for absence or extensions (e.g. medical certificates) is to be given to their Programme Administrator.
General Information
Students read for a degree. The teaching, and other, support provided by the Department of Economics and the University are designed to aid students in achieving this goal. Therefore, the ultimate responsibility for fulfilling the reading requirement lies with the student.
The Department of Economics aims to provide the highest quality student support and welcomes any suggestions that will help us improve the service we provide. Where a student believes that the support offered by the Department or the University do not meet his/her expectations there are a number of ways in which the matter can be raised. There are the course lecturers, class representatives, class advisors, the Student Services Office, Departmental and Faculty Staff-Student Committees, the Examinations Appeals Committee and the Students Union.
Students are responsible for all material in readings, lectures and handouts. Missed handouts may be collected from the lecturer during office hours. Students should obtain missed lecture notes from a student colleague.
Freedom of Information:
The University is subject to the Freedom of Information Act. It is Department policy to make all information accessible under FOI available to students without requiring recourse to FOI procedures. Contact the Student Services Office or the Department Manager at the Department of Economics, Aras na Laoi, if you need assistance in accessing relevant information. The University also has an FOI Unit at 5 Elderwood on College Road, contacts for which are available on the UCC website.
