Surveys in Nursing Research: An Interview With Janice McDrury

Abstract
The survey has proved a useful methodology for nursing and midwifery researchers. It offers an economical way of gathering information on a topic from a large population. This is the fourth article in a series designed to offer beginning researchers personal accounts of the experience of using different methodologies. It presents an interview with Janice McDrury who used a survey to enable the public to voice their perceptions of the role of the nurse in urban and rural communities. This account explores the practicalities and realities involved in developing, implementing, analysing and reporting a survey.  

Keywords
Research, methodologies, survey  

Survey
The survey has proved an effective methodology for many nurse researchers. The usefulness of survey as a methodology lies in the broad sweep it provides on a particular topic, by gathering opinions, facts or numerical information from a large population. Traditionally surveys have been carried out in person through face-to-face structured interviews, by phone interview or mailed questionnaire. Electronic forms of surveys are now expanding, with emailed and website questionnaires, and interviews conducted through the internet.  Continued