This document describes and compares several common research methods: interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, surveys, internet research, and library research. It outlines the type of data each collects (qualitative vs. quantitative), as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Interviews collect primary qualitative data face-to-face but can be time-consuming. Questionnaires collect both qualitative and quantitative primary data from many people quickly but lack validity. Focus groups allow interaction but participants may not be accurate. Surveys can reach many but responses may not be honest. Internet research has a large scope but information may not be accurate. Library research relies on reliable sources but access can be limited.

1. RESEARCH
METHOD
DESCRIPTION TYPE OF DATA
(qualitative/quantitative
/primary/secondary)
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
INTERVIEW Meetingpeople face to
face for consultation,
meetingandaskingthem
questionsforaspecific
reason.
Primaryresearch Qualitative Theyusuallywontlie andgive
detailedanswersastheyhave
enoughtime todo so.
1. Time consuming.
2. You don’tknow
whetherquestionsare
beinganswered
truthfullyornot.
QUESTIONNAIRE a set of printedorwritten
questionswithachoice of
answers,devisedforthe
purposesof a surveyor a
study.
Primaryresearch- Qualitative–
quantitative
Practical
Large amounts of
information can be
collected from a large
number of people in a
short period of time and
in a relatively cost
effective way
1. Lacks validity
2. There is no way
of telling how
much thought a
respondent has
put in
FOCUS GROUP a group of people
assembledtoparticipate in
a discussionabouta
product.
Primaryresearch, quantitative The researcher can
interact with the
participants.
Results can be easier to
understand than
complicated data.
1 Focus groups are
relatively
expensive
2 Focus group
participants usually
know they are
being observed so
it might not be
accurate .

2. SURVEY Investigate the opinionsor
experience of (agroupof
people) byaskingthem
questions.
Primaryresearch, quantitative
, Qualitative
Relatively easy to
answer questions.
Can be developed in less
time (compared to other
data-collection methods)
People may not
feel encouraged to
provide accurate
honest answers.
Respondents may not
feel comfortable
providing answers that
present themselves in a
unfavorable way.
INTERNET
RESEARCH
Usingthe internettofind
out informationbasedon
the researchyouare
lookingfor.
Secondaryresearch,
quantitative , Qualitative
1 Ability to obtain a large
sample of
information.
2 Reduced cost of
conducting research.
1. The informationmight
not be accurate.
2. There isno single
answerto your
questionyouhave to
go throughvarious
sources.
LIBRARY
RESEARCH
Usingbooksor oldjournals
to elaborate onyour
researchmethod.
Secondary, Quantitative 1. Libraryhas librariesthat
knowall the booksin the
librarysoyou don’thave to
lookforthe booksyourself.
2. Majorityof the itemsinthe
libraryare reliable sources.
1.time and accesscan be
obstaclestolibraryresearch.
2.people mustgoto the library
at library timingsonly.