What is 'Survey'? Explain the types, merits & demerits of Survey.
Answers
Types of Surveys. Surveys can be divided into two broad categories: the questionnaire and the interview. Questionnaires are usually paper-and-pencil instruments that the respondent completes. ... Increasingly, survey research is tightly integrated with the delivery of service. Your hotel room has a survey on the desk.
Answer:
Survey is -
examine and record the area and features of (an area of land) so as to construct a map, plan, or description.
a general view, examination, or description of someone or something.
Explanation:
Types of surveys -
Types of a survey based on deployment methods:
1. Online surveys:
One of the most popular types is an online survey. With technology advancing many folds with each passing day, an online survey is becoming more popular. This survey consists of survey questions that can be easily deployed to the respondents online via email, or they can simply access the survey if they have an internet connection.
2. Paper surveys:
As the name suggests, this survey uses the traditional paper and pencil approach. Many would believe that paper surveys are a thing of the past. However, they are quite handy when it comes to field research and data collection. These surveys can go where computers, laptops or other handheld devices cannot go.
3. Telephonic Surveys:
Researchers conduct these over telephones. Respondents need to answer questions related to the research topic by the researcher. These surveys are time-consuming and sometimes non-conclusive. The success of these depends on how many people answer the phone and want to invest their time answering questions over the telephone.
4. One-to-One interviews:
The one-to-one interview helps researchers gather information or data directly from a respondent. It’s a qualitative research method and depends on the knowledge and experience of a researcher to frame and ask relevant questions one after the other to collect meaningful insights from the interview. These interviews can last from 30 minutes up to a few hours.
Types of a survey based on the frequency of deployment
1. Cross-sectional studies
These surveys are administered to a small sample from a larger population within a small time frame. This type offers a researcher a quick summary of what respondents think at that given time. These surveys are short and ready to answer and can measure opinion in one particular situation.
2. Longitudinal surveys:
Longitudinal surveys are those surveys that help researchers to make an observation and collect data over an extended period. There are three main types of longitudinal studies: trend surveys, panel surveys, cohort surveys.
3. Retrospective survey:
A retrospective survey is a type of study in which respondents answer questions to report on events from the past. By deploying this kind of survey, researchers can gather data based on past experiences and beliefs of people. This way, they can save the cost and time required, unlike a longitudinal survey.
Random public opinion/attitude type of survey research:
When an agency needs reliable, projectable data about the attitudes and opinions of its citizens or a select group of its citizens, it is essential to conduct a valid, random sample survey. Telephone interview surveys are considerably more common than in-person interviews because they are far less expensive to administer and act as a standard tool for gathering information.
There is a margin of error, based upon the size of the sample (generally, a minimum population sample of 200 is the industry standard for reliable data about any population segment). Overall, random sample telephone interview surveys provide reasonably accurate information about the population.
While there is a statistical margin of error (the sample of 200 provides an error range of +/- 7% with a 95% confidence), this type of survey is the most democratic process there is, and the most reliable, for learning about the opinions of an entire community.
Self-selected type of survey research – Newspapers, mail, Internet, written questionnaires:
Types of surveys with examples
A researcher must have a proper medium to conduct research and collect meaningful information to make informed decisions. Also, it is essential to have a platform to create and deploy these various types of market research surveys.
Advantages and disadvantages of survey methods
Method of data collection Advantages Disadvantages
Personal • Complex questions • Expensive
• Visual aids can be used • Time inefficient
• Higher response rates • Training to avoid bias
Telephone • Allows clarification • No visual aids
• Larger radius than personal • Difficult to develop rapport
• Less expensive or time consuming
• Higher response rates
Postal • Larger target • Non-response
• Visual aids (although limited) • Time for data compilation
• Lower response rates
Electronic • Larger target • Non-response
• Visual aids • Not all subjects accessible
• Quick response
• Quick data compilation
• Lower response rates