Standard Survey Design Research Articles

A Survey Instrument to Measure Skeptics’ (Dis)Trust in Climate Science

Existing survey instruments of trust in science and scientists that focus on the general public are potentially insufficient to assess climate skeptics’ perspectives towards climate science. They may miss important aspects of climate science about which skeptics raise concerns, and may not accurately measure climate skeptics’ distrust in climatology. We introduce a new survey instrument developed using data gathered from interviewing 33 self-identified climate change skeptics in Idaho. The survey items capture skeptics’ beliefs regarding climate scientists’ trustworthiness and credibility, their deference to scientific authority, and their perceptions of alienation from the climate science community. We validate our survey instrument using data from an online survey administered to 1000 residents in the U.S. Pacific Northwest who are skeptical of climate change. By employing standard survey design principles, we demonstrate how our new (dis)trust in climate science instrument performs in tandem with well-known predictors of science attitudes and pro-environmentalism.

Addressing Unintentional Exclusion of Vulnerable and Mobile Households in Traditional Surveys in Kathmandu, Dhaka, and Hanoi: a Mixed-Methods Feasibility Study

The methods used in low- and middle-income countries’ (LMICs) household surveys have not changed in four decades; however, LMIC societies have changed substantially and now face unprecedented rates of urbanization and urbanization of poverty. This mismatch may result in unintentional exclusion of vulnerable and mobile urban populations. We compare three survey method innovations with standard survey methods in Kathmandu, Dhaka, and Hanoi and summarize feasibility of our innovative methods in terms of time, cost, skill requirements, and experiences. We used descriptive statistics and regression techniques to compare respondent characteristics in samples drawn with innovative versus standard survey designs and household definitions, adjusting for sample probability weights and clustering. Feasibility of innovative methods was evaluated using a thematic framework analysis of focus group discussions with survey field staff, and via survey planner budgets. We found that a common household definition excluded single adults (46.9%) and migrant-headed households (6.7%), as well as non-married (8.5%), unemployed (10.5%), disabled (9.3%), and studying adults (14.3%). Further, standard two-stage sampling resulted in fewer single adult and non-family households than an innovative area-microcensus design; however, two-stage sampling resulted in more tent and shack dwellers. Our survey innovations provided good value for money, and field staff experiences were neutral or positive. Staff recommended streamlining field tools and pairing technical and survey content experts during fieldwork. This evidence of exclusion of vulnerable and mobile urban populations in LMIC household surveys is deeply concerning and underscores the need to modernize survey methods and practices.

Feasibility of Innovative Tools and Methods to Improve Household Surveys in Complex Urban Settings: Multiple Methods Analysis of the Surveys for Urban Equity (SUE) Study in Kathmandu, Dhaka, and Hanoi

Background: The methods used in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) household surveys have not changed in four decades; however, LMIC societies have changed substantially. This mismatch may result in unintentional exclusion of vulnerable and mobile urban populations. We compare three survey method innovations with standard survey methods in Kathmandu, Dhaka, and Hanoi, and summarize feasibility of our innovative methods in terms of time, cost, skill requirements, and experiences. Methods: We used descriptive statistics and regression techniques to compare respondent characteristics in samples drawn with innovative versus standard survey designs and household definitions, adjusting for sample probability weights and clustering. Feasibility of innovative methods was evaluated using a thematic framework analysis of focus group discussions with survey field staff, and via survey planner budgets. Findings: We found that a common household definition excluded single adult (46.9%) and migrant headed households (6.7%), as well as non-married (8.5%), unemployed (10.5%), disabled (9.3%), and studying (14.3%) adults. Further, standard two-stage sampling resulted in fewer single adult and non-family households than an innovative one-stage design; however, two-stage sampling resulted in more tent and shack dwellers. Our survey innovations provided good value for money and field staff experiences were neutral or positive. Staff recommended streamlining field tools and pairing technical and survey content experts during fieldwork. Interpretation: This evidence of unintentional exclusion of vulnerable and mobile urban populations in LMIC household surveys is deeply concerning, and underscores the need to modernize survey methods and practices. Funding: UK Medical Research Council and UK Economic and Social Research Council. Declaration of Interest: All authors declare no conflicts of interest. Ethical Approval: Ethics approvals were obtained from the University of Leeds (ref:MREC16-137), University of Southampton (ref:26819), Nepal Health Research Council (ref:1761), Bangladesh Medical Research Council (ref:BMRC/NREC/RP/2016-2019/317), and Hanoi University of Public Health (ref:324/2017/YTCC-HD3).

Optimized survey design for electrical resistivity tomography: combined optimization of measurement configuration and electrode placement

Author(s): Uhlemann, S; Wilkinson, PB; Maurer, H; Wagner, FM; Johnson, TC; Chambers, JE | Abstract: Within geoelectrical imaging, the choice of measurement configurations and electrode locations is known to control the image resolution. Previous work has shown that optimized survey designs can provide a model resolution that is superior to standard survey designs. This paper demonstrates a methodology to optimize resolution within a target area, while limiting the number of required electrodes, thereby selecting optimal electrode locations. This is achieved by extending previous work on the 'Compare-R' algorithm, which by calculating updates to the resolution matrix optimizes the model resolution in a target area. Here, an additional weighting factor is introduced that allows to preferentially adding measurement configurations that can be acquired on a given set of electrodes. The performance of the optimization is tested on two synthetic examples and verified with a laboratory study. The effect of the weighting factor is investigated using an acquisition layout comprising a single line of electrodes. The results show that an increasing weight decreases the area of improved resolution, but leads to a smaller number of electrode positions. Imaging results superior to a standard survey design were achieved using 56 per cent fewer electrodes. The performance was also tested on a 3-D acquisition grid, where superior resolution within a target at the base of an embankment was achieved using 22 per cent fewer electrodes than a comparable standard survey. The effect of the underlying resistivity distribution on the performance of the optimization was investigated and it was shown that even strong resistivity contrasts only have minor impact. The synthetic results were verified in a laboratory tank experiment, where notable image improvements were achieved. This work shows that optimized surveys can be designed that have a resolution superior to standard survey designs, while requiring significantly fewer electrodes. This methodology thereby provides a means for improving the efficiency of geoelectrical imaging.

Workshop Synthesis: Dealing with immobility and survey non-response

Abstract This paper discusses the related issues associated with dealing with immobility and survey non-response within survey design, sampling protocols and for different survey instruments and methodological approaches. How to develop new tools and methods to capture the travel under-surveyed, ‘hard to reach’ and ‘survey shy’ populations was discussed. Also, how to adapt standard survey designs and sampling approaches to include overlooked population sectors, such as young people, non-travellers and the residents of informal settlements in developing countries. The paper recommends that best known practice in this area is a long way from common practices, and that the academic, commercial consultancy and policy worlds are very different places. This raises the need to develop some minimum standards/checklists of survey inclusion protocols, together with basic training on sample composition, screening and proxy data recording.

An assessment of the efficacy of rub stations for detection and abundance surveys of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis)

Barbed and scented rub pads that rely on a cheek-rubbing behavioural response are a standard survey design that has been used extensively across the range of Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis Kerr, 1792). However, there have not been any published studies evaluating the effectiveness of rub stations for detecting lynx by comparing other simultaneous survey methods. We used a combination of paired rub stations and remote cameras at 41 sites to compare detection probabilities between the two methods and conduct a mark–recapture population estimate of Canada lynx using rub stations to further interpret our findings. The detection probability calculated using cameras approached 1.0 for most of the winter season (mean = 0.88), whereas it remained less than 0.52 for hair rub stations (mean = 0.27). The low and variable detection probability using hair snags, high detection probability using cameras, and the potential gender or individual bias in rubbing behaviour based on our mark–recapture analysis suggest that rub stations are not the most efficient survey method available for Canada lynx. Until additional research incorporating spatial scale, seasonal timing, gender bias, and survey design is conducted, we urge caution in the use of hair stations that rely on the cheek-rubbing behaviour of Canada lynx.

How well do we know the infaunal biomass of the continental shelf?

Benthic infauna comprise a wide range of taxa of varying abundances and sizes, but large infaunal taxa are infrequently recorded in community surveys of the shelf benthos. These larger, but numerically rare, species may contribute disproportionately to biomass, however. We examine the degree to which standard benthic sampling gear and survey design provide an adequate estimate of the biomass of large infauna using the Atlantic surfclam, Spisula solidissima, on the continental shelf off the northeastern coast of the United States as a test organism. We develop a numerical model that simulates standard survey designs, gear types, and sampling densities to evaluate the effectiveness of vertically-dropped sampling gear (e.g., boxcores, grabs) for estimating density of large species. Simulations of randomly distributed clams at a density of 0.5–1m−2 within an 0.25-km2 domain show that lower sampling densities (1–5 samples per sampling event) resulted in highly inaccurate estimates of clam density with the presence of clams detected in less than 25% of the sampling events. In all cases in which patchiness was present in the simulated clam population, surveys were prone to very large errors (survey availability events) unless a dense (e.g., 100-sample) sampling protocol was imposed. Thus, commercial quantities of surfclams could easily go completely undetected by any standard benthic community survey protocol using vertically-dropped gear. Without recourse to modern high-volume sampling gear capable of sampling many meters at a swath, such as hydraulic dredges, biomass of the continental shelf will be grievously underestimated if large infauna are present even at moderate densities.

Standard survey designs drive bias in the mapping of upland swamp communities

AbstractVegetation maps are critical biodiversity planning instruments, but the classification of vegetation for mapping can be strongly biased by survey design. Standardization of survey design across different vegetation types is therefore increasingly recommended for vegetation mapping programs. However, some vegetation types have complex small‐scale vegetation patterns that are important in characterizing these vegetation types, and standard designs will often not capture these patterns. The objective of this paper was to investigate the magnitude of potential map bias that results from survey design standardization and recommend approaches to deal with this bias. We surveyed upland swamps of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Australia using two contrasting survey designs, including the standard 400 m2 single quadrat design recommended and used by authorities. We then derived a classification for these swamps and tested the effect of survey design on this classification, species richness and the type of species detected (obligate or facultative swamp species). Species richness and species type were not significantly different among survey techniques. However, more than 40% of swamps clustered differently among survey designs. Thus, one of the 10 derived communities (which is floristically consistent with a previously mapped endangered community) was indistinct, and some individual swamps misclassified using the standard survey design. An effect of landscape position on swamp floristic patterns and a significant trend for high similarity scores among swamps surveyed with multiple small quadrats compared to the standard survey design was also determined. Australian upland swamps are classified at the global scale as shrub‐dominated wetlands, and complex floristic patterns have been recorded in shrub‐dominated wetlands in both northern and southern hemispheres. We therefore advocate either multiple survey designs or different survey standards for upland swamp communities and other vegetation types that have complex floristic patterns at small scales.

Assessment of variation of nest survival for grassland birds due to method of nest discovery

Capsule Interpretation of nest survival estimates may be improved by incorporating the search method used to locate nests as a covariate.Aims To compare annual survival estimates for Dickcissel Spiza americana nests and determine if incorporating search method (structured, opportunistic, or behavioural searches) improved model fit.Methods Dickcissel nests were located using structured, opportunistic, or behavioural searches over three years (2011–2013) in Mississippi, USA. Models were used to estimate daily survival rates (DSRs) and to analyse factors influencing nest survival.Results DSRs for Dickcissels were best explained by quadratic date, nest age, age found, and year, but incorporating search method improved model fit. Daily survival was 1.51 times greater for nests located using opportunistic search methods relative to structured searches, but was not significantly different between structured and behavioural searches.Conclusions Survival estimates varied by search method, specifically between structured searches and opportunistically located nests. This might have arisen because heterogeneity in nest placement or parental behaviour may influence the sample of nests located with a given search method. Researchers may be able to account for this potential source of bias by including search method as a model covariate when using standard survey designs or modelling approaches.

An investigation of dietary intake of pregnant women in the third trimester in Northern Ireland

Background: The pre-conception and pregnancy period continues to gain recognition as an ideal opportunity to optimise the health of the mother-to-be, as women become more conscious of food and health related issues at this time (Anderson, 2001). Adhering to a well balanced diet and healthy lifestyle will help ensure optimal health for both mother and baby (Anderson, 2001). The aim of this study was to investigate the diets and lifestyles of a sample of pregnant women in Northern Ireland and to assess adherence to government guidelines. Methods: A total of 1600 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital, Belfast, participated in this nutritional study from October 2001 to April 2006. Women recruited were enrolled in the Hyperglycaemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study described elsewhere (HAPO, 2008). Women over 18 years old, approximately 29 weeks gestation (range: 24–35 weeks) were recruited. Participants completed a validated (Hill, 2005) food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that consisted of a list of 44 items covering all main foods consumed locally. Anthropometric information was also collected at this time, self reported weight approximately three months prior to this pregnancy and height was recorded during the hospital visit. The FFQ responses were coded using standard survey design technique. Various statistical techniques were employed, including Chi squared tests, Analysis of Variance (anova) and Pearson's correlations. Ethical approval for this nutritional study was obtained by Queen's University of Belfast and the University of Ulster filter committee. Results: Of those women that participated in the study (n = 1600), 33% were overweight (23%) or obese (10%) prior to this pregnancy. Only 11% (n = 176) of women consumed five or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily; a greater proportion of these women were older (P < 0.0005), married (P < 0.0005) and non-smokers (P < 0.0005). 35% of the women achieved an estimated intake of 700 mg of calcium. Overall, the mean calcium intake was 560 mg (251.12). Chocolate bars and biscuits were the most popular snack food, eaten by 86% (n = 1378) at least once a week; women that were more likely to eat chocolate as a snack were younger (P < 0.0005). 24% of women smoked during their pregnancy and 26% consumed alcohol at some stage during the pregnancy. Discussion: A considerable proportion of women were overweight or obese prior to this pregnancy; obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing complications such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and also obstetrical complications. The study also showed that few women consumed the five or more portions of fresh fruit and vegetables daily which was less than that reported in a previous survey of women in NI, in which 31% met the five a day requirement (DHSSPS, 2007). The rate of smoking in the current study was comparable with other studies conducted in pregnant women; Mouratidou et al. (2006) reported a 28% smoking rate amongst pregnant women. Conclusion: Presently, there are no other studies conducted on dietary and lifestyle habits of pregnant women in Northern Ireland; this study has identified the need for public health intervention to encourage and educate women to implement changes for their health and the health of their children.

On the use of automated cameras to estimate species richness for large‐ and medium‐sized rainforest mammals

On the use of automated cameras to estimate species richness for large‐ and medium‐sized rainforest mammals

A boundary reconstruction method for circular fixed-area plots in environmental survey

In many ecological and forest surveys, some form of circular fixed-area sample plot is used on which numerous attributes are measured, some of which cannot be correctly estimated without knowledge of the conditions existing beyond the plot boundary. We refer to these as edge-affected attributes. An example from forest survey is crown cover, where a portion of the plot invariably is covered by the crowns of trees whose bases lie outside the plot boundary and would not be included in the sample under the standard survey design. Other examples include competition in dices, mean canopy height, canopy roughness, and photosynthetically active radiation. A number of correction techniques for edge-affected attributes have been proposed for rectangular plots, but when these have been adapted for use with circular plots, some plot information has had to be sacrificed. In this study, a technique, called morphing, is described and used to transform a circular plot into a square plot. This technique is then combined with the torus edge-correction procedure for rectangular plots to estimate, without a loss of any plot information, edge-affected attributes in circular plots. Simulation results for 1 real and 11 artificial populations are presented to illustrate the technique.