Paul J. Lavrakas, PhD, is a Research Psychologist and Research Methodologist consultant. He served as Chief Research Methodologist for Nielsen Media Research from 2000-2007. Before joining Nielsen, he was a Full Professor at Northwestern University (1978-1996) and Ohio State University (1996-2000), as well as the founding faculty director of the survey centers at both universities. He is the author of Telephone Survey Methods: Sampling, Selection, and Supervision (2nd Edition, SAGE, 1993) and four other books covering election polling and the news media, as well as numerous other methodological and substantive publications and conference papers.
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Description
"Thousands of articles and books have been written in the field of survey research methodology. Among them are three volumes by G. R. Walden: Polling and Survey Research Methods (CH, Apr'97, 34-4229), Public Opinion Polls and Survey Research (CH, Sep'90, 28-0054), and Survey Research Methodology, 1990-1999 (CH, May'03, 40-4991). But only Lavrakas and his team of over 320 contributors have provided encyclopedic coverage with this publication of over 640 entries. Many well-known and heavily published authors in survey research participated. Lavrakas has had a distinguished career in both the academic and commercial realm (notably with The Nielsen Company, the corporate sponsor for this work). The volumes are accessible to a wide range of users, starting with the uninitiated and moving through the continuum to advanced researchers. This set is well designed, with a list of entries and a "Reader's Guide" that divides the subject into nine main categories that are then subdivided. The front matter includes a roster, and a lengthy index appears at the end of volume 2. Unfortunately, no contributor index is included to allow readers to determine who wrote which section; however, the entries are all signed within the encyclopedia. The well-written entries cover the body of research thoroughly. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers." -- G. R. Walden * CHOICE magazine *