How do we improve the quality and validity of survey instruments and research created by City of San Antonio staff?
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Project Overview
Summary
The City of San Antonio conducts several community surveys every year that are meant to be used for strategic planning and data-informed decision making.
Most of these surveys are conducted with no statistical or demographical expertise. Therefore, in many cases:
- The sample size is not statistically significant and/or
- The respondent demographic segmentation is not representative of the target audience and, as a result, the results might not be statistically representative and should not be used for strategic purposes.
The goal of this project is to create standard operating procedures, tools, and resources for CoSA survey instruments and research (including how to best ask and evaluate open-ended questions).
Deliverables
- Guidance on survey instrument design to include and standard operating procedures, tools, and resources for COSA survey instruments and research (including how to best ask and evaluate open-ended questions). The guidance will also include strategies that can be employed to increase response rates to surveys. The guide will be designed to support the novice survey developer and will be written using simple non-jargon terminology.
Planned use of results
- COSA staff at DHS who oversee and conduct surveys will have tools to ensure their efforts are methodologically sound and scientifically rigorous.
Project Team
Laura Serrano
Chief of Social Demography
City of San Antonio
Dr. Lloyd Potter
Director
Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, University of Texas
Dr. Po-Chun Huang
Senior Research Associate
Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, University of Texas
Laura Mayes
Assistant Director
Communications and Engagement Department, City of San Antonio
