Which of the following is an advantage of surveys as a research method?
It allows the researcher to strictly control the influence of specific variables.
It enables data collection on large numbers of individuals for a representative sample of the whole population.
It provides more in-depth information about social processes than other methods.
It is the least costly method.
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer:
It enables data collection on large numbers of individuals for a representative sample of the whole population.
Explanation (300 words):
Surveys are a widely used research method in the social sciences, particularly useful for collecting data from large populations. One of the primary advantages of surveys is their ability to gather information from a large number of individuals, which can lead to results that are statistically representative of the broader population. This representativeness is essential for making generalizations and drawing conclusions about trends, attitudes, behaviors, or characteristics within a population.
Surveys often use standardized questions, which help ensure consistency and comparability of responses. When designed and administered properly—using random sampling and appropriate question phrasing—they allow researchers to infer patterns and relationships across demographic groups. For instance, surveys can uncover correlations between education level and political preference or health behavior and income.
Unlike methods such as ethnography or in-depth interviews, which focus on deep understanding from a small number of participants, surveys prioritize breadth over depth. This makes them ideal for studies where the goal is to quantify opinions, behaviors, or characteristics rather than explore complex social interactions in detail.
Surveys can also be cost-effective and time-efficient when administered online or by phone, though this does not necessarily make them the least costly method in all cases. Additionally, surveys do not offer the same level of control over variables as experimental methods, and they may not capture nuanced social processes as well as qualitative approaches.
In summary, the key strength of surveys lies in their scalability and capacity to provide data that reflect the experiences or opinions of a larger group, making them a powerful tool for population-level research. This ability to generate representative, generalizable data is what sets surveys apart as a highly valuable research method.
