Surveys, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, tests, scales, and observational methods are the main types of data collection methods used in research. Surveys and questionnaires collect standardized data from large groups but can be impacted by response bias. Interviews and focus groups provide flexible ways to discover new information but lack standardization. Tests and scales are often used in quantitative research with fixed designs to reliably measure performance or attributes. Observational methods directly or indirectly observe subjects and are flexible in when and where they can be performed.

1. Discussion Board Forum 5 – Part B
Reply to at least 2 of your classmates' threads, in at least 150
words, building upon the original thread or offering a
contrasting viewpoint. The replies must be substantive, and
must further the discussion.
Please respond at least 150 words to the following:
There are numerous methods of data collection when performing
research. The main type of methods of data collection are
surveys, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, tests, scales,
and observational methods.
Surveys and questionnaires are are an example of a social
research method that typically focuses on data collection from
and about people (Moser & Korstjens, 2017). Advantages of
surveys and questionnaires are that they provide large amounts
of data standardization, may be adapted to collect generalizable
information from almost any human population and provide a
relatively simple and straightforward appraoach of the study of
attidues, values, beliefs and motives (Robson & McCartan,
2016). Disadvantages of surveys and questionnaires would be
that data is affected by the characteristics of the respondent and
respondents may not necessarily report their beliefs and
attitudes accurately, which can produce social desirability
response bias (Robson & McCartan, 2016). According to
Robson and McCartan (2016), surveys and questionnaires are
typically used in a non-experimental fixed research design.
Interviews and focus groups are another example of social
research that involves a researcher asking questions to another
person (Moser & Korstjens, 2017). Advantages of interviews
and focus groups are it provides a flexible and adatable way of
discovering new information and allow for follow up questions
to be asked to further research concepts and ideas (Robson &
McCartan, 2016). A disadvantage to using interviews and focus
groups would be that interviews and focus groups lack

2. standardization, which can provide issues with reliability with
the data (Robson & McCartan, 2016). According to Robson and
McCartan (2016), interviews and focus groups are typically
used in qualitative research designs.
According to Robson and McCartan (2016), tests and scales are
typically used in quantitative research designs. Common scales
that can be used for measurement are the summated rating
(Likert) scale, the equal appearing interval (Thurstone) scale,
the cumulated (Guttman) scale and semantic differential scales
(Robson & McCartan, 2016).
According to Robson and McCartan (2016), participant
observation typically utilizes a flexible (qualitative) research
design while a structured observation typically utilizes a fixed
(quantitative) research design. Participant observation is
mostly used for studies focusing on anthropology, sociology,
communication, human geography and social psychology (Pope
& Mays, 202
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Please respond at least 150 words to the following:
Surveys are a tool used to collect data on a predefined area of
interest. Surveys are generally easy to perform and are often
used under fixed methods, where the contents of the surveys are
planned ahead of time and administered under specific
conditions (Robson & McCartan, 2018). Surveys may be
performed at nearly any time, provided that the respondents are
informed of the approximately time frame that they expect to
complete the survey.
Questionnaires are related to surveys insofar that many surveys
are made up of questionnaires. Questionnaires are asked
questions with a selection of answers. Often these questions are
fixed and fall under fixed designs. As with surveys, they may
be performed at any time provided the subject is informed of the
approximate length of time it will take to complete.

3. Interviews are formal meetings by which information may be
obtained. Often conducted one-on-one or several on one
different person. These may be tied into questionnaires in that
questions may be prepared ahead of time, be open ended, and be
asked to assess the reaction of the individual being interviewed
(Speer, Christiansen, & Laginess, 2019). Interviews may be
mixed method designs in part due to the questions being
planned in advance, but the respondents' answers allow for
flexibility. Interviews are more logistically difficult to perform
due to potential scheduling conflict with subjects or
administrators. They may be performed at the time when both
schedules may align.
Focus Groups are demographically diverse groups that are
facilitated through guided discussion regarding a topic or
selection of topics. Related to interviews, this is usually
performed with a larger group of people with a moderator
guiding the questions and the discussions. Focus Groups are
characteristic of multiple method designs so that they are
planned but may be flexible due to the diverse nature of a focus
group. Focus groups, involving more people, are more difficult
to perform and thus require a set date and time to administer.
Tests are tools which measure the reliability, validity, quality,
and performance of something. Tests may be administered in
the form of questionnaires or through interviews. Tests are
often characteristic of fixed designs. Tests may be performed in
the same manner as surveys, provided that the subjects receive
adequate information prior to completion of the test as to how
long it will take.
Scales are quantitative assessments, or tests, which provide a
weighted range of options. Often scales are tests which have a
selection of answers on a range rather than any concrete
answers (Vergauwe, Kaiser, Wille, De Fruyt, & Hofmans,
2018). Scales are ideal for mixed method designs due to the
planned nature of the scales but with some amount of flexibility
in the subject responses. Scales are able to be performed at
nearly any time, provided the subjects receive adequate

4. notification of their time commitment.
Observational Methods are processes by which one observes to
gain information. Direct observation is a method by which the
researcher directly observes the behaviors or actions of the
subjects that they are studying. Indirect observations are
observations that may be filmed or via alternative methods in
observing the subjects. Observations are flexible because in
any area, this method may apply and can be performed at any
time.