Survey Method of Data Collection

Running head: SURVEY METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION 1
Survey method of data collection
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SURVEY METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION 2
Introduction
Survey method of data collection is one of the qualitative data collection approaches that
involved engaging people either face to face or through online in acquiring some information
(James, 2011 p.937). The survey method of data collection can be done online or by use of the
paper survey to obtain information from different groups of people.
Discussion
Survey method of data collection has so many strengths over other methods of qualitative
data collection methods. It is one of the best methods of acquiring information from a wide range
of sample population. For instance, the online survey method is used to cover wide range of
people within a short period. It is one of the best methods to use, especially when modern survey
software is used (Collins, 2013 p.229). It is a convenient method because it can reach all the
respondents through all modes of the survey such mobile survey, online survey, and paper
survey. In social work, the survey method can collect large volumes of information because the
respondents will provide different feedback regarding the topic of survey. The wide range of the
information supplied by the respondents is enough for better interpretation and analysis. The
survey methods of data collection in qualitative approach are used to avoid so many errors that
can occur when using other strategies of data collection (Granello and Wheaton, 2014 p.387).
The weaknesses of this method of data collection involve low response rates, especially when
conducting online surveys. The people approached online may delay so much in responding, and
therefore, this may lead to much time wastage as researchers wait for the feedback. Besides, the
survey method of data collection is not the best method when the audience is not literate. The
respondents may find it hard to understand what is asked in the interview. In an illiterate
audience location where the online survey is conducted, they may not understand what to

SURVEY METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION 3
answer. In this case, the audience can give the wrong information or irrelevant information
regarding what is surveyed. Moreover, in the case where the audience does not understand what
is asked due to low education level, they may fail to respond to the survey. This is one major
weakness facing this method of qualitative data collection approach.
The pros of the survey method in qualitative data collection approach include low-cost
primarily when the online surveys are conducted. The questions are asked online, and all answers
are provided through online platforms. Moreover, when the online approach of survey method is
used, the time used will be less to get the information provided the audiences engaged in
understanding the survey questions well (Jackson, 2019 p.51). Moreover, when the email
approach is used to collect data in the survey method, the respondents may be willing to provide
extra information (Weible and Wallace, 2018 p.19). The added information sometimes is useful
for more analysis and interpretation of research. This method is flexible primarily when
conducted online because the researcher can twist questions and approach of collecting
information based on the interest of people they meet. There are some cons associated with this
survey method of data collection. These cons include limited sampling availability and high cost
incurred in traveling from one place to another to survey audience. The respondent may be busy
with no time to respond to the online inquiry. Moreover, the online cooperation with the
respondents is a significant problem. Some respondent may not be willing to cooperate with
those online survey researchers (De Leeuw, 2015 p.233). The biasness is another con of the
survey method because the audience may provide biased information. The one-sided information
provided by the audience may lead to wrong or biased conclusion. The respondents may also
provide wrong information intentionally. Not all people are honest in whatever they do, and
therefore, some respondent may deliberately opt to provide irrelevant and false information in