# Challenges in Survey Research

## TL;DR

This paper discusses key methodological challenges in survey research within empirical software engineering, highlighting issues in theory, sampling, data analysis, and psychometrics based on large-scale international surveys.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of methodological challenges specific to survey research in software engineering, an area less explored compared to other empirical methods.

## Key findings

- Identifies critical issues in survey design and execution.
- Highlights the importance of psychometrics in survey analysis.
- Provides insights from large-scale international surveys.

## Abstract

While being an important and often used research method, survey research has been less often discussed on a methodological level in empirical software engineering than other types of research. This chapter compiles a set of important and challenging issues in survey research based on experiences with several large-scale international surveys. The chapter covers theory building, sampling, invitation and follow-up, statistical as well as qualitative analysis of survey data and the usage of psychometrics in software engineering surveys.