The most common research instrument, whether administered in person, by phone, by e-mail, or online, is the __.
A) mechanical device
B) personal interview
C) questionnaire
D) telephone interview
E) focus group
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
C) Questionnaire
Explanation:
A questionnaire is the most common research instrument used in various data collection methods, whether administered in person, by phone, via email, or online. It consists of a structured set of questions designed to gather information from respondents. The widespread use of questionnaires in research is due to their flexibility, ease of administration, and ability to collect data from a large number of people efficiently.
Why Questionnaires Are Commonly Used
- Versatility – Questionnaires can be used in different research settings, including academic studies, market research, healthcare, and social science research.
- Cost-Effectiveness – Compared to other research instruments like personal interviews or focus groups, questionnaires require fewer resources and can reach a broader audience at a lower cost.
- Scalability – Whether used in-person, over the phone, via email, or online, questionnaires can efficiently gather data from thousands of respondents, making them ideal for large-scale studies.
- Standardization – A well-designed questionnaire ensures consistency in data collection, reducing researcher bias and increasing the reliability of the results.
- Anonymity and Honesty – Respondents are often more comfortable providing honest answers in a questionnaire, especially when it is anonymous, compared to face-to-face interviews where social desirability bias may influence responses.
Comparison with Other Options
- Mechanical devices (A) are used in research (e.g., eye-tracking devices, biometric sensors) but are not the most common instrument.
- Personal interviews (B) and telephone interviews (D) involve direct interaction, which can be costly and time-consuming.
- Focus groups (E) are useful for qualitative insights but are not as scalable as questionnaires.
Thus, the questionnaire remains the most widely used research instrument across various data collection methods.