Survey research is the most frequently-used mode of observation in the social sciences. The basic idea of a survey is to measure variables by asking people questions and then examining the relationships among the measures. Survey research has three important features. Firstly, it uses a large number of respondents who are chosen through probability sampling procedures to represent the population from which the sample is selected. Secondly, it uses a systematic questionnaire or interview procedures to prescribed questions of respondents in order to record their answers. Thirdly, answers are numerically coded and analysed with the help of statistical computer software. This article focuses on the questionnaire as the data collection instrument used in surveys. The aspects that will be dealt with include survey research designs (crosssectional and longitudinal), the total error perspective, use of computers in survey research, construct