(Part - 2) - Doing Sociology: Research Methods Class 11 Sociology

Survey

• A survey is an attempt to gain a broad perspective on a subject by gathering information from a carefully chosen representative sample of people.
• The individuals who provide information in response to the researchers' questions are typically referred to as "respondents."
• Survey research is typically conducted by large teams, including investigators who plan and design the study, as well as their associates and assistants.
• Survey questions can be posed through telephone conversations, in-person visits by the investigators, or in writing through questionnaires sent by post.
• Today, the internet and various other media are also used to collect data.
• Surveys enable researchers to generalize findings to a larger population while only studying a small proportion of that population.
• Surveys typically require a manageable investment of time, effort, and resources.

Survey Method

A survey is a type of quantitative research at a macro level, aimed at presenting a condensed view of a specific subject. Questionnaires serve as the primary tool for data collection in surveys, which aim to gather information about people's views, beliefs, and behaviors. The method involves gathering standardized data from the population being studied. This standardization is achieved by asking all respondents the same questions in the same order, ensuring consistency in the data obtained.

Disadvantages of Survey

• The trade-off for conducting a survey is that it sacrifices depth of coverage for breadth of information.
• Due to time limitations with each respondent, it may be difficult to gather in-depth information through a survey.
• Because the survey questionnaire is administered by multiple investigators, it can be challenging to ensure that complex or nuanced questions are asked consistently.
• Variations in the way questions are asked or answers are recorded may introduce errors in the data.
• Since there is no established relationship between the investigators and the respondents, personal or sensitive questions may not be appropriate or may not yield truthful answers, leading to what are called non-sampling errors.
• A survey's success depends on tightly structured and inflexible questions.
• The success of a survey largely depends on the nature of interactions between investigators and respondents, and the willingness of the latter to participate and provide accurate responses.

Interviews

• Essentially, it involves a directed conversation between the researcher and the respondent.
• It falls in between the structured questionnaire format of surveys and completely open-ended interactions such as participant observation.
• Its primary benefit is the high degree of adaptability in the format.
• Questions can be reformulated, the order can be changed, and subjects can be added or removed based on the progress of the conversation.
• There are different styles of conducting interviews, with some being more loosely structured and others more rigidly structured.
• The method of recording interviews can also vary, from video or audio recordings to detailed note-taking or relying on memory.
• The use of recorders can make respondents uneasy and formalize the conversation.
• The physical and social circumstances in which the interview takes place can sometimes dictate the mode of the interview.
• Using less comprehensive methods of record-keeping can sometimes result in important information going unnoticed or not recorded.
• The way in which the interview is transcribed and edited can vary widely depending on the researcher's preferences.
• Interviews are often used as a supplementary method, particularly in participant observation.
• Lengthy conversations can provide context and clarification for accompanying material.
• In-depth interviews can enhance the findings of surveys.
• However, their effectiveness depends on the researcher's personalized access and the level of rapport and mutual trust between the researcher and respondent.

Disadvantages of Interviews

• Time-consuming: Conducting interviews can be time-consuming, both in terms of setting them up and actually conducting them. This can be a challenge for students who have limited time in class or need to complete the research project within a set deadline.
• Limited sample size: Depending on the number of students in the class and the availability of interviewees, it may be difficult to obtain a large enough sample size to draw meaningful conclusions. This can limit the scope of the research project and make it difficult to generalize findings to a larger population.
• Difficulty in finding participants: Finding willing and appropriate participants for the interviews can be a challenge, especially if the research topic is sensitive or controversial.
• Interviewer bias: The interviewer's personal beliefs, attitudes, and biases can unintentionally influence the responses of the interviewee, leading to unreliable data.