Discuss advantages and disadvantages of questionnaire by post.
Answers
Answer:
Advantages of Questionnaire:
(1) Economical:
It is an economical way of accumulating information. It is economical both for the sender and for the respondent in time, effort and cost. The cost of conducting the study with the help of questionnaire method is very low. In questionnaire the researcher has to spend for paper printing and postage only. There is no need to visit each and every respondent personally. So it does not require high cost for conduct of the research.
(2) Wide Coverage:
It is probably the best method to collect information, compared to the other methods like interview or observation, when the sample population is spread over a large territory. It permits a nationwide or even international coverage.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Questionnaire makes it possible to contact with many people who could not otherwise be reached. It can cover a large group at the same time. Goode and Hatt say that when the researcher has to cover the group of respondents who are widely scattered, lie can use the questionnaire in order to minimize the cost.
For example, if the researcher wishes to poll the membership of the American Sociological Society, transportation costs for interviewing would be excessive, both in terms of money and time. There may not be enough time to make the necessary interview.
However, questionnaires could be distributed to all those members and information could be collected from them. This can be done by a single researcher without the large funds otherwise required to hire an interviewing staff to carry out the interview.
(3) Rapidity:
Replies may be received very quickly in questionnaire method. In this case there is no need to visit the respondent personally or continue the study over a long period. Thor “fore in comparison with other methods, the mailed questionnaire is the quickest method.