Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of collecting primary data by

1. personal interviews and

2. mailing questionnaire to respondents?

Answer 1

1. Personal interview:

Advantages:

1. The enumerator can personally explain to the respondent the objective of the enquiry and importance of study.

2. This will help in getting better co-operation of the respondent and in obtaining accurate answers to the questions in the questionnaire.

3. This will save time of the respondent and will keep him in good humour.

Disadvantages:

• The method of expensive.
• It need a large team of enumerators and spend on their training and travel, besides other expenses on food, stationary, lodging etc.,

2. Mailing questionnaire to respondents: 

Advantages:

1. The method of mailing questionnaire to respondents is far more convenient and less expensive.

Disadvantages :

• The respondents may not understand or misinterpret some questions.
• The respondent may not take enough care to answer all questions correctly.
• The respondent may ignore and not return the questionnaire all.