Surveys
A survey includes questionnaires AND interviews
Both collect:
Qualitative data
+ In depth – better understanding of pp’s views – valid
- May be unreliable, difficult to replicate and compare answers
Quantitative data
+ Easy to analyse and draw conclusions as can score data and make comparisons
- May not give a full understanding so may be less valid
Interviews
Interviews are conducted face to face and involve a set of questions. They mostly collect qualitative data
Structured: set questions, no deviation
+ Easy to analyse and make comparisons
- Unable to get detail on pp’s views if they raise an interesting point
Semi-structured: set questions but can ask follow up questions
+ Able to compare as well as get pp’s views
- May be time consuming as interview may take longer, and may be difficult to analyse many different responses
Unstructured: have a research aim to focus on but no set questions
+ PP’s true views are collected, so valid data
- Difficult to compare and analyse as pp’s may talk about different things
Interviews in general:
+ Questions can be explained and further questions can be asked as required
+ In depth data is collected which is likely to be valid as it is based on qualitative data
- There may be researcher bias as the researcher may find it difficult not to influence answers e.g. tone of voice
- Analysing interviews is difficult and can be subjective
Questionnaires
Questionnaires involve a set of questions and can be handed out and filled in by an individual (self report)
Questions may be open where the pp can answer in detail or closed where the response is limited
Questionnaires are usually short in order to ensure pp’s complete them
A pilot study can be used to trial the questions to check they are suitable
+ Questionnaires are reliable as they follow the same format so can be replicated
+ If questionnaires avoid bias such as being posted and worded correctly they can be considered valid
- There may be differences in administering the questionnaire e.g. time of day, researcher
- Closed questions lack validity and restrict the answers
A survey includes questionnaires AND interviews
Both collect:
Qualitative data
+ In depth – better understanding of pp’s views – valid
- May be unreliable, difficult to replicate and compare answers
Quantitative data
+ Easy to analyse and draw conclusions as can score data and make comparisons
- May not give a full understanding so may be less valid
Interviews
Interviews are conducted face to face and involve a set of questions. They mostly collect qualitative data
Structured: set questions, no deviation
+ Easy to analyse and make comparisons
- Unable to get detail on pp’s views if they raise an interesting point
Semi-structured: set questions but can ask follow up questions
+ Able to compare as well as get pp’s views
- May be time consuming as interview may take longer, and may be difficult to analyse many different responses
Unstructured: have a research aim to focus on but no set questions
+ PP’s true views are collected, so valid data
- Difficult to compare and analyse as pp’s may talk about different things
Interviews in general:
+ Questions can be explained and further questions can be asked as required
+ In depth data is collected which is likely to be valid as it is based on qualitative data
- There may be researcher bias as the researcher may find it difficult not to influence answers e.g. tone of voice
- Analysing interviews is difficult and can be subjective
Questionnaires
Questionnaires involve a set of questions and can be handed out and filled in by an individual (self report)
Questions may be open where the pp can answer in detail or closed where the response is limited
Questionnaires are usually short in order to ensure pp’s complete them
A pilot study can be used to trial the questions to check they are suitable
+ Questionnaires are reliable as they follow the same format so can be replicated
+ If questionnaires avoid bias such as being posted and worded correctly they can be considered valid
- There may be differences in administering the questionnaire e.g. time of day, researcher
- Closed questions lack validity and restrict the answers