A note on refining the description of a questionnaire survey design: for dissertation project students

A note on refining the description of a questionnaire survey design: for dissertation project students (information from poe.com)

My question 1: "Could you refine my description of my questionnaire survey design in more specific research method terminology, such as population and sampling? Thanks in advance:

"My research method is to send out an online questionnaire survey to my 60 friends on the topic of "why are people in Hong Kong interested in buying labubu and lafufu toys?" I will also encourage my friends to invite their friends to participate in the survey. The survey questionnaire data will then be analysed using the Excel pivot function as well as the Excel regression function."."

The reply: "Here’s a refined version of your description using more specific research method terminology:

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Research Methodology

The proposed research will employ a quantitative survey design, utilizing an online questionnaire to gather data on the factors influencing interest in purchasing labubu and lafufu toys among individuals in Hong Kong.

Population and Sampling
The target population for this study comprises individuals residing in Hong Kong who have an interest in these specific toys. The initial sample will consist of 60 acquaintances, with an encouragement for them to invite additional participants, thus employing a snowball sampling technique to expand the sample size and diversity.

Data Collection and Analysis
Data will be collected through a structured online questionnaire designed to capture key variables related to consumer interest. The collected data will be analyzed using Microsoft Excel, specifically employing the pivot table function for summarization and the regression analysis function to examine relationships between variables.

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Feel free to adjust any specific terms or details if needed!"

My question 2: "Could you comment on the strengths and weaknesses of this research method design? Thanks."

The reply: "Here are the strengths and weaknesses of your research method design:

Strengths

1. Accessibility:

   • Online surveys allow for easy distribution and access, enabling participation from a wide geographic area.

2. Cost-Effective:

   • Utilizing a digital format reduces costs associated with printing and logistics, making it budget-friendly.

3. Snowball Sampling:

   • This method can help reach a larger and more diverse participant pool, as friends of friends may provide different perspectives.

4. Quantitative Data:

   • The use of structured questions allows for straightforward statistical analysis, enabling clear insights into trends and relationships.

5. Flexibility in Analysis:

   • Excel provides versatile tools for data manipulation and visualization, making it relatively easy to analyze and interpret results.

Weaknesses

1. Sampling Bias:

   • The initial sample of friends may not represent the broader population, leading to potential bias in the findings.

2. Limited Control over Participants:

   • The snowball sampling method can lead to homogeneity in responses if participants predominantly share similar social circles.

3. Self-Selection Bias:

   • Participants who choose to respond may have a stronger interest in the topic, which could skew the results.

4. Data Validity:

   • Online surveys may attract respondents who do not meet the study criteria or misinterpret questions, affecting data quality.

5. Analysis Limitations:

   • While Excel is useful for basic analysis, it may not be sufficient for more complex statistical tests, potentially limiting the depth of insights.

Conclusion

Overall, while the research design has strengths in accessibility and cost-effectiveness, it is important to consider the potential biases and limitations that could affect the validity and generalizability of the findings. Addressing these weaknesses, perhaps through stratified sampling or ensuring a more diverse participant base, could enhance the robustness of your study."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.