Question

Give two examples of the situations where the survey method can be used. What are the limitations of this method?

Answer 1

The two examples where a survey method can be used are as follows:

(i) To find out the attitudes of people on the polio eradication programme.

(ii) To record information about the members of a particular population.

The limitations of the survey method are as follows:

• People may give inaccurate information because of memory lapses or they do not want the researcher to know their real opinions about a particular issue.

• People sometimes respond in a way they think the researcher wants to hear.