Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using the survey method? Select one: a. ease of use b. reliability c. cost d. validity e. All are advantages of survey methods
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is d. validity.
Explanation:
Surveys are a popular data collection method because they have numerous advantages, but validity is often not one of them. Here’s why:
- Ease of use (a): Surveys are easy to administer. They can be distributed online, in person, or via mail, and participants can respond at their convenience. This accessibility makes surveys a popular choice for gathering data from large groups.
- Reliability (b): Surveys, when properly designed and administered, can provide reliable results. Reliability in this context means that the survey will produce consistent results over repeated administrations or when used in similar settings, assuming the questions are clear and the survey process is standardized.
- Cost (c): Surveys are relatively inexpensive compared to other research methods, especially if done online or by mail. The cost-effectiveness is one of the key reasons organizations and researchers choose surveys to collect data, particularly when the sample size is large.
- Validity (d): Validity refers to how well the survey measures what it is intended to measure. While surveys can be designed to gather accurate information, they may not always have high validity. The questions could be poorly worded, biased, or misinterpreted by respondents, leading to inaccurate data. Furthermore, surveys may not capture the full depth of respondents’ experiences or feelings. For example, respondents may not be fully honest, or the questions might not be comprehensive enough to cover all aspects of a subject, impacting validity.
- All are advantages of survey methods (e): This option is incorrect because, as explained above, validity is not guaranteed in survey methods and can be a limitation.
Therefore, validity is not always an advantage of using surveys, which is why it is the correct answer.
