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Survey technique of data collection
Survey studies are usually used to find the fact by collecting the data directly from population or sample. It is the most commonly used descriptive method in educational researches.
Besides, they also provide quantitative descriptions of the characteristics, behaviours, and attitudes of students, teachers, principals, parents, district leaders, and other specific populations.
a)It is based on the questioning of respondents.
b)They are asked a variety of questions regarding their behaviour, intensions, attitude, awareness, motivation and demographic and lifestyle characteristics.
c)The questioning is structured and are fixed alternative answers.
d)Questions may be asked verbally, in writing or via computer.
Various mediums are used to collect feedback and opinions from the desired sample of individuals. While conducting survey research, researchers prefer multiple sources to gather data such as online surveys, telephonic surveys, face-to-face surveys, etc.
Methods of data collection survey
Face-to-face Surveys
Gaining information from respondents via face-to-face mediums is much more effective than the other mediums because respondents usually tend to trust the surveyors and provide honest and clear feedback about the subject in-hand.
Telephone Surveys
Telephone surveys require much lesser investment than face-to-face surveys. Depending on the required reach, telephone surveys cost as much or a little more than online surveys. Contacting respondents via the telephonic medium requires less effort and manpower than the face-to-face survey medium.
Paper Surveys
The other commonly used survey method is paper surveys. These surveys can be used where laptops, computers, and tablets cannot go, and hence they use the age-old method of data collection: pen and paper. This method helps collect survey data in field research and helps strengthen the number of responses collected and the validity of these responses.
A popular example or use case of a paper survey is a fast food restaurant survey where the fast-food chain would like to collect feedback on the dining experience of its patrons.
Online survey
It is the least expensive compared to the other media and can reach a maximum number of people. The performance of these surveys is much more widespread than other data collection methods. Online surveys are effective and therefore require figuring logic and branching technologies for more accurate collection of survey data compared to other traditional survey methods. Since there is no personal interaction or any direct form of communication, they are very useful in times of global crises. For example, many organizations have switched to contactless surveys during the pandemic. It helped them ensure that employees don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms before entering into the office.
