The Good Enough Guide

Advantages

A survey can provide specific information about a lot of people in a short time.

Information from some of the people can be used to plans for all the population.

The methods and forms used to collect information must be standardised so that results can be reliably compared (for example, see Tool 8).

A survey requires careful consideration beforehand in order to determine what information can be obtained, from whom, how, and when.

A large amount of information can be obtained cheaply if unpaid or volunteer staff are used.

Disadvantages

Only a short time can be spent with each person so the information you receive about them may be limited.

You will also need time to analyse and use all the information collected.

The people selected may be easy to get to or willing to co-operate but not necessarily representative of the population.

These methods may produce superficial information. Interviewees may give the answers they think you want to hear.

Time may be scarce. If people’s way of life is not fully understood then the information they provide may prove misleading.

A large-scale survey is often difficult to supervise because of staff costs and distances to be covered.