What is the normative survey method?

The normative survey method uses statistics and values considered normal for the group being surveyed to understand and collect data on a specific subject. An example of this method is the President's Physical Fitness Challenge, which is used to help determine fitness levels for students as part of their physical fitness classes.

The normative survey method is sometimes referred to as descriptive research as well. All of the information gathered in this type of survey should always be compared to the social norms for the group being surveyed and tested. Using norms outside of the group will give false values to the survey results and possibly influence other tests that use the incorrect information.