The major advantages of an online Survey are: (A) It provides strong control over data gathering process. (B) The identified respondent always fills the questionnaire. (C) It is normally inexpensive. (D) It facilitates the speedy collection of data. (E) It can be conducted from the researcher's location. Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Understanding Online Survey Advantages
Online surveys are a popular method for collecting data in research. They involve using the internet to reach respondents and gather their answers to a set of questions. Like any research method, online surveys have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. Let's analyze the given statements to identify the major advantages of using an online survey.
Analyzing Statements on Online Survey Benefits
We will evaluate each statement provided:
- (A) It provides strong control over data gathering process. While online surveys offer some control (like question order or required fields), they typically offer less control compared to methods like face-to-face interviews. A researcher cannot control the environment in which the respondent fills out the survey, who is actually filling it out, or if they are distracted. Therefore, this is generally not considered a major advantage.
- (B) The identified respondent always fills the questionnaire. This is a significant challenge with online surveys. Links can be shared, and there's no guarantee that the person who receives the link is the one actually providing the responses. This lack of control over who is responding means the identified respondent does not always fill the questionnaire. This is a limitation, not an advantage.
- (C) It is normally inexpensive. Compared to traditional survey methods like mail, telephone, or in-person interviews, online surveys are significantly cheaper. There are no costs for printing questionnaires, postage, or paying interviewers. The primary costs are usually software subscriptions or panel costs, which are often lower per response. This is a major advantage of an online survey.
- (D) It facilitates the speedy collection of data. Data from online surveys can be collected very quickly. Responses are often recorded in real-time as respondents complete the survey. This allows researchers to gather a large amount of data in a short period, which is much faster than methods requiring manual data entry or mailing times. This is a major advantage of conducting an online survey.
- (E) It can be conducted from the researcher's location. Researchers can design, launch, manage, and analyze an online survey from virtually anywhere with internet access. There is no need for physical setup in different locations or extensive travel to distribute surveys or conduct interviews. This convenience is a major advantage.
Identifying the Major Advantages
Based on the analysis, the major advantages of an online survey are:
- It is normally inexpensive (Statement C).
- It facilitates the speedy collection of data (Statement D).
- It can be conducted from the researcher's location (Statement E).
Statements A and B are not considered major advantages; in fact, they often represent limitations or disadvantages of this method.
Comparing with Options
We need to find the option that lists only C, D, and E.
- Option 1: A, B, C Only (Incorrect - A and B are not major advantages)
- Option 2: B, C, D Only (Incorrect - B is not a major advantage)
- Option 3: C, D, E Only (Correct - C, D, and E are the major advantages)
- Option 4: A, B, E Only (Incorrect - A and B are not major advantages)
Therefore, the correct answer lists C, D, and E as the major advantages.
Revision Table: Online Survey Features
| Statement | Description | Is it a Major Advantage? | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Strong control over data gathering | No | Less control over respondent environment and identity compared to other methods. |
| B | Identified respondent always fills questionnaire | No | Links can be shared; verifying respondent identity is difficult. |
| C | Normally inexpensive | Yes | Lower costs for administration, postage, personnel compared to traditional methods. |
| D | Facilitates speedy data collection | Yes | Data is collected and recorded rapidly as responses are submitted. |
| E | Can be conducted from researcher's location | Yes | High convenience for researchers to manage the survey remotely. |
Additional Information: Online Survey Considerations
While online surveys offer significant advantages like cost-effectiveness and speed, it's also important to be aware of their limitations:
- Sampling Bias: Not everyone has internet access, or equal access. Certain demographics might be underrepresented.
- Lack of In-depth Responses: Compared to interviews, online surveys might not capture the same depth or nuance in responses, especially with pre-defined answer choices.
- Technical Issues: Respondents might face technical difficulties, or the survey design might not display correctly on all devices or browsers.
- Lower Response Rates: Online surveys, especially unsolicited ones, can suffer from low response rates.
- Data Quality Concerns: Issues like straight-lining (selecting the same answer for all questions), speeding through the survey, or random clicking can affect data quality.
Researchers must weigh these factors when deciding if an online survey is the most appropriate method for their research objectives.
Important Questions from Data Collection Instrument
Given below are two statements : One is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A) : Actual settings are the direct source of data and the researcher is the key instrument in qualitative research.
Reasons (R) : The purpose underlying qualitative researches is relatively more directed at depiction of reality rather than arriving at context free generalizations.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
The advantages of the structured interview are :
(A) Provides limited choices that reduce the possibility of generalization
(B) Standardises questions
(C) Accuracy is possible to a large extent
(D) Data processing is easy
(E) Misinterpretation is possible due to strict standardisation
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Responses to open-ended questions are
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Debriefing of participants takes place at the beginning of a study.
Statement II: Deception is the practice of giving false information to research participants about some aspect of the study.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:
Which of the following should be taken into account while preparing a questionnaire?
A. The purpose of research
B. Brevity of questions
C. Avoidance of leading questions
D. Questions that seek detailed information
E. Preference for double‐barrelled questions
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
