Social Surveys and Public Health

Disease prevalence, risk factors, behaviors, medical care utilization, and health outcomes are just few of the many health-related subjects that can be gathered through social surveys. In health research, surveys play an important role by yielding valuable insights about the health-related behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions of individuals and populations using a wide range of methods, including in-person interviews, telephone interviews, online surveys, and paper-and-pencil questionnaires. Decisions for methodology must be made considering the nature of the research problem, the sample population, the data collection tools at hand, and other contextual factors. A major advantage of social surveys is that they can be used to collect data from large and diverse populations and inform researchers about representative patterns of health and issues across different demographic groups. Surveys can be conducted quickly and efficiently, particularly through web-based platforms, using standardized questions and procedures, which helps collect large amounts of data in a relatively short amount of time and ensure that responses are consistent and reliable. The method can also be used to collect data longitudinally, allowing researchers to track changes in health behaviors and outcomes over time. However, social surveys still rely on self-reported data, which can be subjected to biases and inaccuracies. Response rates can also be low, particularly for online surveys, which can introduce selection bias. Its large-scale nature may lead to a lack of in-depth information on complex topics or allow for follow-up questions, and poorly designed studies or questionnaires can result in detrimental consequences. To sum up, social surveys remain an important tool for health researchers, providing a wealth of data on the health behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions of individuals and populations. By adjusting the methodology based on certain scenarios, researchers can ensure that the data they collect is reliable and valid, and can be used to inform policies and interventions aimed at improving population health. This chapter discusses the fundamental aspects of designing and conducting social surveys, provides several practical tips that aid in the process, and elaborates on the current value of social surveys. The chapter also briefs the roles of social surveys in Global Public Health and paves the way for future implications.