Hot LemonResearch services - paper surveys
Paper based surveys are one of the more traditional survey methodologies. They are ideal for medium to large numbers of respondents, especially those which may not have web access or may not be comfortable detailing their thoughts online.
Paper surveys – what are they?
Paper surveys are conducted by distributing printed surveys to the target audience, either through the post or some other form of distribution (hand outs / inserts etc.) and then having the respondents complete and return them, either via post or collection. Paper surveys are primarily a quantitative research methodology, but they can, if designed appropriately, generate some qualitative data.
Advantages
Mail surveys can be inexpensive relative to other methods, especially if done in-house (say for an employee engagement survey) where the production, distribution and collection can be easily controlled.
Print surveys allow respondents to consider their answers, and often print surveys will generate well considered responses from the target market. Print surveys also provide opportunities to generate qualitative data by asking open-ended style questions to illicit individual responses and opinions. Further, print based surveys can often be longer than equivalent surveys.
Disadvantages
There can be significant biases, such as sampling and non-response bias which may prevent accurate results being generated form paper surveys, although these can be managed. Another major disadvantage is the extended time period required for the completion and return of printed surveys, although again, this can be managed.
Respondents also have unlimited opportunities to change their responses before returning surveys, whilst in many cases this is good, as it provides a considered opinion, it means that they are an inappropriate methodology to generate initial reactions from respondents. Further, paper surveys often require follow ups in order to generate sufficient responses and this can be administratively intensive.
Paper surveys – the Hot Lemon difference
Hot Lemon will design and develop the survey, using the clients branding if appropriate. We will manage the process of distributing the survey as well as collecting and collating the responses.
Obviously, this is not as efficient as online surveys as there is as distribution and data entry costs need to be taken into account.
If would like to find out more, please get in touch with us.
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