This course is designed to provide an overview of the theory and practice of survey research methods with a focus on the unique challenges faced in the design and implementation of face-to-face surveys in developing and transitional countries. Issues related to sample design and sample management, questionnaire development and testing, response processes, interviewer recruitment and training, field operations, and quality monitoring will be discussed with examples drawn from surveys conducted in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The class will also cover cultural dimensions and how these interact with the survey process and survey error. Establishment surveys will be discussed briefly and will not be covered in details. The class will be a mixture of lecture (afternoon session) and group practice (morning session). Each day will focus on a set of topics following the survey lifecycle. To simulate real-life survey contexts, students will be divided into groups and will be asked to respond to a mock request for proposal (RFP) to design a face-to-face survey in multiple countries of diverse background. This group practice will provide students with an opportunity to apply the course material in an integrated fashion. Each group will formally present their study design to the class on the last day. Students who are working in the field of survey research in developing countries are also highly encouraged to share and present their experiences and any challenges they are facing. Students who would like to present their own experiences are asked to submit a one page summary of the survey they are working on and the challenges they would like to address to the instructors by July 14.

Course leader
Zeina Mneimneh, PhD, Jennifer Kelley

Target group
Participants will find the course useful if:- They are conducting surveys in developing or transitional countries and would like a forum to discuss challenges and issues and how those might be addressed.- They are planning to conduct surveys in developing or transitional countries and would like to learn about the process of survey research and issues specific to such cultures.- They are interested in conducting research on sources of survey error relevant to cross-cultural research especially in developing or transitional countries.Prerequisites:Participants should have basic knowledge about the survey research process and be familiar with the survey methodology literature.

Course aim
By the end of the course participants will:- Have gained an overview of the survey lifecycle.- Have gained an understanding of survey design issues relevant to conducting surveys in developing and transitional countries.- Have gained an understanding of operational issues relevant to conducting surveys in developing and transitional countries.- Have gained an overview of the total survey error framework, but especially sources of error relevant to cross-cultural research.- Be familiar with the literature on cross-cultural survey research.

Credits info
4 ECTS - Certificate of attendance issued upon completion.Optional bookings:- 2 ECTS points via the University of Mannheim for regular attendance and satisfactory work on daily assignments (EUR 20).- 4 ECTS points via the University of Mannheim for regular attendance and satisfactory work on daily assignments and for submitting a paper/report of about 5000 words to the lecturer(s) up to 4 weeks after the end of the summer school (EUR 50).



Fee info
EUR 250: Student/PhD student rate. EUR 350: Academic/non-profit rate.Early bird discount: EUR 50 for applicants who book and pay by April 30.The rates include the tuition fee, course materials, the academic program, access to library and IT facilities, coffee/tea, and a number of social activities.

Scholarships
10 DAAD scholarships are available via the Center for Doctoral Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences (CDSS) at the University of Mannheim.

GESIS-Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences
Address: Knowledge Transfer, Unter Sachsenhausen 6-8 Cologne
Postal code: 50667
City: Cologne
Country: Germany
Website: http://www.gesis.org/summerschool
E-mail: summerschool@gesis.org
Phone: +49-221-476940