The 2nd GESIS Summer School in Survey Methodology will take place at GESIS Cologne from August 08 to 30, 2013.

Surveys are the main method of systematic data collection in the Social Sciences. Surveys provide empirical data for researchers to analyse, and are an important source of information for business, charities and policy makers. There are numerous types of surveys suited for different purposes. Given the variety and complexity of survey research, designing and conducting a survey that effectively and efficiently serves a specific purpose requires specialised expertise and skill (as well as a good team).

Objectives

The GESIS Summer School offers high quality training in state of the art techniques and methods of survey research. It aims to equip participants with essential skills in the design, planning, execution, documentation and quality assurance of surveys of households, individuals or organisations. This Summer School is unique in Europe with its focus on Survey Methodology and data collection.

The GESIS Summer School does not only give a broad overview of survey methods, but provides an opportunity to deeply engage with the different tasks of survey design and implementation (such as questionnaire design, sampling, nonresponse and fieldwork monitoring), different survey modes (such as personal interviews and web surveys), research designs involving surveys (such as mixed methods, factorial surveys, longitudinal surveys and cross-national surveys) as well as data management. The courses offer engaging instruction in state-of-the-art knowledge and application oriented skills, provided by an international team of survey specialists. Our instructors come from a diverse set of countries and fields, and we welcome applicants from all countries and fields.

Target audience

The Summer School is designed for advanced graduate and PhD students as well as post-docs and other researchers interested in improving their knowledge and skills in survey methodology from all relevant fields, such as Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Education Science, Communication Science, Epidemiology, Demography etc. Professionals from outside academic research who are working with surveys are welcome to apply. It is the right place to go for PhD students and researchers planning to run their own survey, but also for those who analyse secondary data, want to know more about how the data came about, how to assess their quality, and those who wish to engage in methodological research.

We are very thankful for the cooperation with the Center for Doctoral Studies in Social and Behavioral Sciences (CDSS) of the University of Mannheim. We also gratefully acknowledge the contributions made by our sponsors to a social and cultural program. It is greatly important to us that participants can meet outside the seminar rooms to have a good time and find new research collaborators and, indeed, friends. We aim to provide participants with a supportive social environment, a stimulating and academically rigorous program, and an exciting time in Cologne.

We hope you enjoy reading the program, and hope to see you in Cologne in August 2013!

Programm 2013

Registration and fees

Further information