Survey method refers to the general study and rational investigation of truth, knowledge, existence and being that forms the philosophical context subject to research. The human values, beliefs and general being in human faith to their God nourish philosophical departments in the universities where professors and students carry out their research to establish the truth. As a matter of fact, these individuals mostly employ the survey method to gather some information towards the complex and sophisticated understanding of the human nature (The survey method, n.d). Over the years, the survey method has stayed in a state of balance due to its merits and demerits.
It is evident that among the numerous methods of data collection such as questioners has proved that the survey method outweighs the others.
Advantages
Survey method can be developed and planned in less time. This makes the process reliable to many researchers.
The ability of this survey method to be administered even to the remote areas makes it very powerful and effective. People living in the interior may be reached via the phone and internet to give their opinions about the subject. Modern philosophers have greatly used this approach in their data collection (Marsh, 2002).
In case of the advanced survey is employed, many respondents are reached. A broad and variety of data is collected since the respondents are numerous. This data can be people’s beliefs, values faith, behavior and general facts. The data can be very useful to the philosophers in understanding the complexity of the human being.
Surveys that are standardized seem to be very accurate. Errors of omission and commission are greatly eliminated. This creates a good rational in knowing the truth and existence of being in philosophy.
In terms of cost in carrying out the whole survey process, it is comparatively cheaper and efficient. Besides, there is no need for the interviewer. This makes the method more friendly since many respondents may be in a willing position to share information needed.
With the emergence of technology, more respondents can be reached regardless of their geographical position.
Survey method can be used for large-scale data collection in the sense that many countries can be easily reached. The ability of the method to appropriately maximize time makes it ideal to both the interviewer and the researcher: highly preferred by modern philosophers in their continuous studies.
Disadvantages
In most cases the survey method may eliminate the respondent’s freedom to give accurate and true data. Some respondents may be dishonest.
In given situations, the respondents may not provide data which is in their own opinion. This puts them in unfavorable manner.
There may be a sense of biasness since the number of respondents who accept to respond to survey questions may not be the same to those who refuse to respond to the same survey questions.
The interpretation by respondents to survey questions may be different to each individual respondent. This may hinder understanding to the question leading to wrong data collection. In most cases this happens when the questions in the survey are not well framed. Illiteracy on the part of respondents can also lead to such problems.
The survey questions should be adequately designed so as not to create ambiguity. This is when the researcher designs open-ended questions.
Online survey may be viewed as the most powerful method of data collection, but it may not be able to reach those people without the required devices. This may sabotage the whole process since very important people who may easily be reached face to face or paper survey may be ignored.
As we all understand that time is a scarce resource: any time lost cannot be recovered. It may not be possible to reach all respondents especially the ones in the interior. In this case, the researcher should consider the demographics of the respondents for effective data collection.
References
Marsh, C. (2002). The survey method: The contribution of surveys to sociological explanation. London: Allen & Unwin.
The survey method. (n.d.). Methods, Sex and Madness, 83-115. doi:10.4324/9780203423455_chapter_4
