Assess The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Questionnaires As A Sociological Research Method

Assess The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Questionnaires As A Sociological Research Method

Assignment Title: Assess the advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires as a sociological research method

In researching this assignment question, it can be noted that questionnaires are aligned with the quantitative method of research, this is favoured by positivist, scientific researchers as they see it to be a highly reliable method of research.   Positivist scientific researchers believe all data collated from questionnaires is reliable and can be replicated, this means the research can be repeated by another researcher and the same results can be retrieved. Therefore it is highly reliable and objective.   They believe the primary data collated from questionnaires can be easily expressed into numerical statistical data, therefore allowing them to make general statements about the social world on the basis of such data. (Haralambos and Holborn 2007: 793). In simple terms, the data can reflect or measure what is really happening in society.   However in researching this method it can also be noted that qualitative researchers would question the validity of such data, as they believe we may be able to understand something about one group of people but this does not necessarily apply to all people within the society. (Sociology and Science, Theory and methods, Chris lively).   Therefore the purpose of this assignment is to put forward some arguments for and against using questionnaires as a sociological research method.
Questionnaires are one of the most popular quantitative research methods as they can provide a convenient way of gathering information from a target population. (David S Walonick Ph.d 1993). They are simply a tool for collecting and recording information about a particular issue of interest, attitudes or opinions.   They can be completed electronically, via postal survey, telephone or face to face.   They include a pre-set list of questions, where the questions can be open-ended or closed.   The answers come in many forms from tick boxes to free...