Survey Research Methods during the COVID-19 Crisis

Abstract

Good things take time—this saying is certainly a firm part of the scientific belief system. Scientists prefer valid and reliable evidence to rapid results, and they are therefore open to running additional checks to rule out yet another artifact hypothesis, and patiently bear the challenges of lengthy reviewing processes. It is our implicit understanding that all this serves well in the joint effort of scientists to approximate the truth, at least in the long run. In these rapidly changing times, our belief system is challenged. The COVID-19 crisis created an enormous demand for rapid research results—and rightly so. Policymakers have every reason to demand scientific evidence to make informed decisions. What else should they be asking for? Journalists also have every reason to demand scientific evidence in order to efficiently evaluate and report on policymakers’decisions. And last but not least, everyday people also have every reason to insist that the harsh restrictions of their personal freedoms are at least this: evidence based. In the current situation the demand for scientific evidence is targeted predominantly at medical and epidemiological research—again with good reasons, since we are confronted with a pandemic disease. However, it is our firm conviction that survey research can and should contribute to scientific discovery in the realm of the COVID-19 crisis. Most obviously, because epidemiologists use survey research methods to estimate SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and incidence. But there are other reasons, as well. The various non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) such as stay-home or shelter-in-place orders, rules for social distancing etc.that restrict people’s everyday lives not only affect their behavior, but also their attitudes and values. The way people react to the NPIs affect the NPI’s probability of success, and their effects on the economy and society as a whole. There are an enormous number of research questions currently being