IMPLEMENTING SURVEYS IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT: AN OVERVIEW

This paper discusses the implementation of surveys in an international context. It relies on experiences from OECD Programme on International Student Assessment (PISA) and IEA Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) to illustrate the steps and discuss issues involved in this process. It also highlights additional complexities when these are applied to an international context that involves multiple languages and cultures. Implementation of a survey involves the development of a framework, the selection of the most appropriate means of collecting data, development of the instrument, analysis and further studies. It also discusses ways in which an evaluation of educational facilities could be implemented, either independent or linked to current studies so relationship with performance would be possible, and discusses further alternatives.