Exam 9: Survey Research and Other Ways of Asking Questions

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In-person interviews and telephone surveys both have their own unique advantages and disadvantages in terms of the role of the researcher and the types of questions appropriate for each method.

In an in-person interview, the researcher plays a more active role in building rapport with the participant and establishing a comfortable environment for open and honest communication. The researcher can use non-verbal cues and body language to establish trust and encourage the participant to share their thoughts and experiences. This personal interaction allows for more in-depth and nuanced responses to open-ended questions, as well as the opportunity to probe for further details or clarification.

On the other hand, in a telephone survey, the researcher's role is more limited to asking the questions and recording the responses. Without the benefit of visual cues and physical presence, the researcher must rely on their tone of voice and verbal communication skills to establish rapport and keep the participant engaged. This can make it more challenging to build trust and elicit detailed responses, especially for sensitive or personal topics.

In terms of the types of questions appropriate for each method, in-person interviews are well-suited for open-ended and exploratory questions that require detailed and nuanced responses. These can include questions about personal experiences, emotions, and opinions, as well as complex topics that may require follow-up questions for clarification.

Telephone surveys, on the other hand, are better suited for closed-ended and straightforward questions that can be easily answered with a "yes" or "no" or a rating scale. These questions are typically more structured and focused, making them easier to administer over the phone and allowing for efficient data collection from a larger sample size.

In conclusion, in-person interviews and telephone surveys each have their own strengths and limitations in terms of the role of the researcher and the types of questions appropriate for each method. Researchers should carefully consider the goals of their study and the nature of the data they wish to collect in order to determine which method is most appropriate for their research.