1. Questionaires

The advantages of questionnaires

1. Practical2. Large amounts of information can be collected from a large number of people in a short

period of time and in a relatively cost effective way3. Can be carried out by the researcher or by any number of people with limited affect to its

validity and reliability4. The results of the questionnaires can usually be quickly and easily quantified by either a

researcher or through the use of a software package5. Can be analysed more 'scientifically' and objectively than other forms of research6. When data has been quantified, it can be used to compare and contrast other research and

may be used to measure change.7. so questionnaires are more objective.8. Generally it is relatively quick to collect information using a questionnaire9. Positivists believe that quantitative data can be used to create new theories and / or test

existing hypotheses.10. Potentially information can be collected from a large portion of a group.

The disadvantages

1. Is argued to be inadequate to understand some forms of information - i.e. changes of emotions, behaviour, feelings etc.

2. Phenomenologists state that quantitative research is simply an artificial creation by the researcher, as it is asking only a limited amount of information without explanation

3. Lacks validity4. There is no way to tell how truthful a respondent is being5. There is no way of telling how much thought a respondent has put in6. The respondent may be forgetful or not thinking within the full context of the situation7. People may read differently into each question and therefore reply based on their own

interpretation of the question - i.e. what is 'good' to someone may be 'poor' to someone else, therefore there is a level of subjectivity that is not acknowledged

8. There is a level of researcher imposition, meaning that when developing the questionnaire, the researcher is making their own decisions and assumptions as to what is and is not important...therefore they may be missing something that is of importance.

9. Evaluation methods occur after the event, so participants may forget important issues.10. Respondents may answer superficially especially if the questionnaire takes a long time to

complete.11. Open-ended questions can generate large amounts of data that can take a long time to process

and analyse

2.Interviews

Advantages of using an Interview

1. If the respondent lacks reading skills to answer a questionnaire. 2. Are useful for untangling complex topics. 3. The Interviewer can probe deeper into a response given by an interviewee.4. Interviews produce a higher response rate. 5. obtain detailed information about personal feelings, perceptions and opinions 6. allow more detailed questions to be asked7. usually achieve a high response rate8. ambiguities can be clarified and incomplete answers followed up 9. interviewees are not influenced by others in the.10. some interviewees may be less self-conscious in a one-to-one situation

Disadvantages of using an Interview

1. The interviewer can affect the data if he/she is not consistent. 2. It is very time consuming. 3. It is not used for a large number of people. 4. The Interviewer may be biased and ask closed questions.5. they can be very time-consuming: setting up, interviewing, transcribing, analysing,

feedback, reporting 6. They can be costly 7. Different interviewers may understand and transcribe interviews in different ways.

3. Observation

Advantages of Observation

1. Very direct method for collecting data or information – best for the study of human behavior.

2. Data collected is very accurate in nature and also very reliable.3. Improves precision of the research results.4. Problem of depending on respondents is decreased.5. Helps in understanding the verbal response more efficiently.6. By using good and modern gadgets – observations can be made continuously.7. Observation is less demanding in nature, which makes it less bias in working abilities.8. By observation, one can identify a problem by making an in depth analysis of the

problems.9. data gathered can be highly reliable.10. allows the systems analyst to do work measurement.

11. observation is less expensive compared to other technique12. the analyst is able to see what is being done.

Disadvantages of Observation

1. Problems of the past cannot be studied by means of observation.2. Having no other option one has to depend on the documents available.3. Observations like the controlled observations require some especial instruments or tools

for effective working, which are very much costly.4. One cannot study opinions by this means.5. Attitudes cannot be studied with the help of observations.6. Sampling cannot be brought into use.7. Observation involves a lot of time as one has to wait for an event to happen to study that

particular event.8. The actual presence of the observer himself Vis a Vis the event to occur is almost

unknown, which acts as a major disadvantage of observation.9. Complete answer to any problem or any issue cannot be obtained by observation alone

people feel uncomfortable being watched, they may perform differently when being observed.

10. The work being observed may not involved the level of difficulty or volume normally experienced during that time period.

11. Some activities may take place at odd times, it might be inconvenience for the system analyst.

12. The task being observed are subjected to types of interruptions. 13. Tome task may not be in the manner in which they are observed. 14. Sometimes people act temporarily and perform their job correctly when they are being

observed, they might actually violates the standard of manner.

4. Focus group discussion

The advantages

1. The Authority Role Of The Moderator2. The Ability Of Group Participants To Interact With Each Other 3. The Ability To Involve The Client Personnel In The Research Process 4. The Capability To Utilise Non-Verbal Behavior As A Research Input 5. The Level Of Participant Involvement In The Research6. It is easy to make participants fully engage even during non-discussion time.

The disadvantages

 

1. Focus Groups Tend To Become Influenced By One or Two Dominant People 2. Focus Groups Are Not As Effective As IDI’s In Dealing With Sensitive Topics 3. Focus Group Output Is Not Projectable4. Focus Groups Are A Very Artificial Environment Which Can Influence The Responses

That Are Generated