SOCI 2P11 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Visual Analogue Scale, Content Analysis, Sampling Frame
Document Summary
The survey is a flexible research approach used to investigate a wide range of topics. Surveys are dependent upon the chosen sampling frame. Surveys are not so good at explaining why people think or act as they do. Interview surveys are only as good as the interviewers asking the questions. Methods of collecting survey data: face-to-face interviews. The ability to carry out a longer interview on a more complex topic. The ability to use visual aids and prompts. Can reach some people that due to disability or socio/economic status may not normally be reached. Difficult to get honest answers to personal/sensitive questions such as drug-taking, diet, etc: telephone interviews. Can be cheaper and quicker than a face-to-face survey. High completion rate if person commits to questionnaire. Not appropriate if sampling frame do not all have equal access to a telephone. Sampling frame - even those with a telephone may be ex-directory. Interview length is limited: postal questionnaires.