In your proposal justify your proposed methods in terms of reducing both representation and measurement error. Contrast your methods/design with alternatives to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of your approach. Balance the need for data quality and representativeness with survey time and costs. The bulk of the proposal should address survey design and methods.

Data collection is required. Pilot the survey instrument with 10 to 20 people. If you are proposing telephone or face-to-face interviews, less piloting is required as the burden on you is greater. Try to find pilot subjects that similar to your target population. In your discussion section, write about the results and the piloting experience. Discuss what changes were made and what problems emerged as a result of piloting. Discuss how you addressed or would address these problems/issues before live data collection. Also, evaluate interviewer and respondent burden (e.g., How long did the survey take to administer, how many errors occurred, how much missing data, don’t know, and refused responses?)