Survey is one of the research methods, to obtain sociological knowledge. Each research requires data to test and justify research hypothesis. In survey method data is collected through questionnaire and interview. Moreover, questionnaire are of two type; open ended and close ended. Open-ended questionnaire allow the respondent to respond in one sentence, note or essay. Whereas, in close-ended questionnaire, respondent answer is confined by the researcher in, “yes” or “no “or, multiple choices questions. Researcher ask same standardized question from large number of people.
Techniques which are used for, the selection of respondents in research, called “sampling techniques”. With the help of sampling techniques researcher analyze number of respondents required for research; out of “population”. Respondents, who participate in the research or, respond to the questionnaire; are termed as “sample”. It is important for reader to know survey method is used in many fields to obtain knowledge. This method is not just limited to sociological knowledge, it is also used for other researches. An individual is frequently, bombarded with survey questionnaires. Coming out of restaurant customer receive a feedback survey questionnaire regarding product and services. Researcher can reach respondents through social media, email and telecommunication. Moreover, online polls like political poll, entertainment poll and marketing poll, are also type of survey questionnaire. However, the prime purpose of survey is to obtain data whether it’s regarding social issue or product and services.
Another instrument of data collection in survey method, is interview. One on one conversation of researcher and participant is called interview. There are two types of interviews; structured interview and unstructured interview. In structured interview respondents have been asked to answer, close-ended questions whereas, in unstructured interview respondents have been asked to answer, open-ended questions. Furthermore, if researcher is interested in multivariate data analysis for testing research hypothesis then, he should choose the “sampling technique”, “sample size” and “questionnaire measurement scales”, very carefully because, mentioned components have impact on the, reliability of test results.