Using Surveys for Data Collection in Continuous （使用调查数据收集在连续）.pdf

Innovation Insight Series Number 14 Using Surveys for Data Collection in Continuous Improvement Across the University many people use data in assessment Richard Light, a nationally recognized proponent of con- and decision-making. Data-based decision-making, an es- ducting and using research, especially in the area of stu- sential element of continuous quality improvement, helps dent assessment, believes that good research is one of the individuals and teams to assess the efficiency and effective- most important bases for sound decision making. Light and ness of current processes. Numerous methods exist for col- colleagues (1990) have argued that, “If used wisely, it lecting data. Focus groups, personal interviews, surveys, [survey research] can lead to improvements throughout the review of internal records, and counting events are some entire fabric of an institution” (p. 234). methods to gather data. This issue of Innovation Insights At the same time, they caution would-be data gatherers to explains how to use surveys to obtain data. think carefully before adding to the mountain of unused and What is a Survey? often unusable survey data. Serious, targeted, and well- directed surveys that are sensibly integrated into an overall A survey is a research method for collecting information assessment and improvement approach can be a valuable from a selected group of people usin