Conducting survey research: Part 1: Use of instruments and permissions: What you need to know (original) (raw)
2020, Nursing & Health Sciences
Many researchers seek to publish work that uses questionnaires and surveys. The apparent simplicity of this approach to gathering data makes it popular in nursing and health sciences research. Complexities in the use of surveys and questionnaires and the legal and ethical principles that frame their use are often overlooked, resulting in disappointment for authors who seem unaware of the responsibilities editors and reviewers have in relation to these data collection instruments. This is the first of two editorials designed to answer commonly asked questions and optimize the chances that you can get your study published. The first of these editorials focuses on permission to use instruments that are already developed, and the second explores considerations in using surveys and questionnaires as a means to collect and analyze information. Although there are sound reasons for using preexisting psychometrically tested questionnaires, including potentially enhanced validity, efficiency in instrument design, and potential for greater breadth of exploration of a concept in multiple studies (Hyman, Lamb, & Bulmer, 2006), there are also a number of risks. An increasingly common risk for those seeking to publish their work is that unless all permissions are gained, their work cannot be published.
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