Survey Methodology

The certificate in Survey Research Methods shall provide supplemental training to graduate students in social science, health, education, and policy-related graduate programs at Penn State. The collection of data by questionnaire, web surveys, phone or personal structured interviews is a highly specialized technique whose “best practices” and “cutting edge” change frequently. The data collected by surveys typically violate assumptions of random sampling that undergird graduate-level courses in applied statistics. Those earning this certificate will have supplemental training in data collection and take a coherent cluster of courses in applied statistics that will provide them with superior preparation for completion of their dissertation, and for employment in the academic, public, and private sectors.