Kraemer (1991) identified three distinguishing characteristics of survey research (p. xiii). First, survey research is used to quantitatively describe specific aspects of a given population. These aspects often involve examining the relationships among variables. Second, the data required for survey research are collected from people and are, therefore, subjective. Finally, survey research uses a selected portion of the population from which the findings can later be generalized back to the population.
In survey research, independent and dependent variables are used to define the scope of study, but cannot be explicitly controlled by the researcher. Before conducting the survey, the researcher must predicate a model that identifies the expected relationships among these variables. The survey is then constructed to test this model against observations of the phenomena.
In contrast to survey research, a survey is simply a data collection tool for carrying out survey research. Pinsonneault and Kraemer (1993) defined a survey as a "means for gathering information about the characteristics, actions, or opinions of a large group of people" (p. 77). Surveys can also be used to assess needs, evaluate demand, and examine impact (Salant & Dillman, 1994, p. 2). The term survey instrument is often used to distinguish the survey tool from the survey research that it is designed to support.
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