The document describes four primary research methods: surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, and interviews. Surveys involve collecting a sample of data to represent a whole population, and have advantages of being quick and allowing anonymity, though a broad sample is needed. Questionnaires are lists of questions to collect specific information from many people quickly and cost-effectively, but truthfulness cannot be verified. Focus groups question a small representative group which is cheap and easy to conduct, but may not save as much time as individual interviews. Interviews are meetings where questions are asked, providing a quick way to gather views, but responses must be recorded to avoid forgetting details.

1. PRIMARY RESEARCH METHODS
NAME OF RESEARCH METHOD
EXPLANATION
SURVEY
A sampling, of facts, figures, or
opinions used to present what a
complete collection and analysis
might show.
Advantages: its quick, easy to
collect and analyze, anonymous,
participants are more likely to
answer honestly.
Disadvantages: a broad sample
needs to be taken in order to get
good results representing the entire
population
It is a list of questions designed to
collect specific information.
Advantages: Large amounts of
information can be collected from a
number of people in a short time
and in a cost effective way.
Disadvantages: there is no way to
tell how truthful a person is being
and how much thought they have
put in.
Representative survey group: a
small group of people who are
questioned about their opinions as
part of a research
Advantages: It is quick, cheap and
easy to assemble.
Disadvantages: can save time and
money compared to individual
interviews
Meeting for asking questions: a
meeting which somebody is asked
questions.
Advantages: quick way of getting
people’s views and opinions about
things.
Disadvantages: it’s easy to forget
what people have said so you need
to record interview.
QUESTIONNAIRES
FOCUS GROUP
INTERVIEWS

2. SECONDARY RESEARCH METHODS
NAME OF RESEARCH METHOD
SURVEY
QUESTIONNAIRES
FOCUS GROUP
INTERVIEWS
EXPLANATION
A sampling, of facts, figures, or
opinions used to present what a
complete collection and analysis
might show.
Advantages: its quick, easy to collect
and analyze, anonymous,
participants are more likely to
answer honestly.
Disadvantages: a broad sample
needs to be taken in order to get
good results representing the entire
population
It is a list of questions designed to
collect specific information.
Advantages: Large amounts of
information can be collected from a
number of people in a short time and
in a cost effective way.
Disadvantages: there is no way to
tell how truthful a person is being
and how much thought they have put
in.
Representative survey group: a small
group of people who are questioned
about their opinions as part of a
research
Advantages: It is quick, cheap and
easy to assemble.
Disadvantages: can save time and
money compared to individual
interviews
Meeting for asking questions: a
meeting which somebody is asked
questions.
Advantages: quick way of getting
people’s views and opinions about
things.
Disadvantages: it’s easy to forget
what people have said so you need
to record interview.