Research Methods: Analysis of Survey Methods in Management Research

This report analyzes three common survey methods used in management research: face-to-face interviews, telephone surveys, and mail questionnaires. The analysis highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each method. Face-to-face interviews offer flexibility and the ability to address complex issues, but they are time-consuming. Telephone interviews provide less flexibility and lack personal interaction, potentially limiting probing. Mail questionnaires are highly structured and efficient for reaching a large population, but they are not suitable for complex topics and lack the ability to clarify doubts. The report references key sources to support the evaluation of these methods, aiming to guide researchers in selecting the most appropriate survey method for their specific research objectives, considering factors such as time constraints, complexity of the topic, and the need for flexibility.

Running head: RESEARCH METHODS
RESEARCH METHODS
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Author Note

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Article - Choosing a survey method in management research
The survey method is the most common in the management research. According to
Fdthzik and Canoll (l97l), there are three choices available to the researchers. The first choice
is the face-to –face, the second option is the through telephone and the last choice is through
the mail survey. The choices must be employed in an appropriate manner at every stage. One
single wrong choice can affect many people. All the methods have its pros cons. It has
advantages as well as disadvantages. The prime aim of the essay is to analyze the strengths
and weaknesses of the three research methods. It has been done to ensure that the researcher
makes the right choice of research.
According to David Jobber the strength of the face-to –face questionnaire is the
potential of the same to tackle the complex issues. A researcher rather than the listed topics
prefer a semi-structured questionnaire with topics. The researchers avoid the listed questions
format. This makes the process more flexible for the interview. The amount of time that is
devoted to every single topic changes depending upon the feedbacks of the interviewees. The
new topics can be added as well probably if they are found relevant to the objectives of the
research. According to the critics, the face-to-face interview gives rise to probing and they are
convenient for the interviewee. The probe helps the interviewer to understand the questions
of the interviewee (Ali 2015).
However, on contradictory to that Ali (2015) stated that the process of telephone
interview makes it inconvenient for both the interviewer and the interviewee. Many critics
have argued this that the degree of flexibility is hampered while taking interview on the
phone. The interviewer is not able to make a personal conversation with the interviewee.
There is a time pressure on the telephone. The structure of the same is not well organized and
it is not feasible for both the parties. The practice of probing is limited in the case of

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telephone interview as no personal communication happens which makes the conversation
short and hence the amount of probe is comparatively lesser in case of the telephone
interviews (Jobber 1991).
According to Jobber, the mail questionnaire is something, which is required to be
completely structured. The format of the questions must be straightforward and it must be
simple for the others to understand. The scope of providing the open-ended questions is
limited compared to the face-to –face or the telephonic conversations. It has been argued by
the critics like Carroll and Falthzik whenever a complex situation comes into the scenario, a
mail research is not likely to be possible. Thus, the critics have criticized the mail
questionnaire, as this might be confusing in case of understanding the longer questionnaire. It
is not possible to address the doubts of the interviewee in case of the mail questionnaires
(Hirschmeier et al. 2015).
However, from the above reading this can be stated that there are various drawbacks
related to all the three processes. The personal interview is time-consuming, the telephonic
interviews does not give a clear knowledge of the capabilities of the interviewee. The mail
form of taking interview is having many negative factors but it can be conducted in a faster
pace and it can be re ached to maximum number of population.

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REFERNCES
Ali, S., 2015. Research methodology: black to basics.
Ali, S., 2015. Research methodology: questionnaire issues.
Hirschmeier, S., Tilly, R., Hirschmeier, M. and Schoder, D., 2015. A Dynamic Approach to
Information Quality in User-Generated Content.
Jobber, D., 1991. Choosing a survey method in management research. The management
research handbook, pp.174-180.