Survey Method 
                                          
                                           The term survey is used for the technique of investigation by a 'direct-observation' of a 
                                               phenomena or systematic gathering of data from population by applying personal contact 
                                               and interviews when an in adequate information about certain problem is not available on 
                                               records, files and other sources. 
                                          
                                           There are some writers who still believe that the term survey can be applicable only when 
                                               a direct contact is made and does not include any study from the libraries or archives. 
                                          
                                         Definition 
                                          
                                           Some of the important definitions of social surveys are: 
                                          
                                         "Social survey is a fact finding study dealing chiefly with working class, poverty and with the 
                                         nature and problems of community".  
                                          
                                                                                                                                                                      - A. F. Wells 
                                          
                                         "Survey research is an organised attempt to analyse, interpret and report the present status of 
                                         social institution, group or area". 
                                          
                                                                                                                                                                  - F. L. Whitney 
                                          
                                         Types of Surveys 
                                          
                                           The surveys may be classified as:  
                                          
                                                      (i)   General or Specific surveys  
                                                       
                                                      (ii)  Regular and Ad-hoc surveys 
                                                       
                                                      (iii)  Preliminary and Final Surveys 
                                          
                                                      (iv) Census and Sample Surveys 
                                                       
                                                       
                                          
                                         (i)  General or Specific Surveys 
                                          
                                           A  general  survey  is  conducted  for  collecting  general  information  of  any  population, 
                                               institution or phenomena "without any hypothesis". 
                                          
                                           While a specific surveys are conducted for specific problems or for testing the validity of 
                                               some theory or hypotheses. 
                                          
                                         (ii)  Regular or Ad hoc Surveys 
                                          
                                           If a survey is repeated for regular intervals to obtain continuous information, it is known as 
                                               a regular survey. 
                                          
                                           It helps to study trend of the effect of time on the phenomena under the study. 
                                          
                                           For conducting regular surveys, a permanent machinery for collecting information has to 
                                               be set up. 
                                          
                                           Ad hoc surveys are conducted once and for all and are non-repetitive. 
             
              Such surveys may be conducted for in testing the hypothesis or supplementing some 
              missing information regarding any research problem. 
             
            (iii) Preliminary and Final Surveys 
             
              Preliminary survey is a pilot study to get first hand information/knowledge of the universe 
              under study. 
             
              It helps the researcher in preparing schedule or questionnaire and organising the survey 
              on proper lines. 
             
              Final surveys are made after the pilot study has been completed. 
             
            (iv) Census and Sample Surveys 
             
              Census survey deals with the investigation of entire population. 
             
              Under this method, the information is collected from each and every unit of the universe. 
             
              Money, material, time and labour required for carrying out a census survey are bound to 
              be extremely large but its results are more accurate and reliable. 
             
              In case of sample survey only a small part of the universe which is representative of the 
              whole population is taken and the information is collected. 
             
              Thus, the sample surveys are more economical and less time and labour consuming. 
             
              Sampling is the process of studying about the universe on the basis of representative 
              samples drawn from the population and the procedure of obtaining information on the 
              units constituting the sample is referred to as sample survey. 
             
              The  object  of  the  sample  survey  is  to  obtain  maximum  information  about  the 
              characteristics population with minimum cost, time and labour. 
             
             
            Advantages 
             
              Survey method has the following advantages in comparison with other methods: 
             
            (i) Direct & close contact between Researcher and the Respondents 
             
              In this method the researcher has to come in close and direct contact of the people, 
              whom he wants to study. 
             
              A survey brings the researcher in a position to come face to face with the realities of life 
              and see things personally. 
             
            (ii) Greater Objective  
             
              The survey method avoids the possibility of personal biases. 
             
              Large number of field workers is employed for the collection of data. 
             
              Thus, the data are not influenced by any one man's view or belief. Hence, greater degree 
              of objectivity may be obtained under this method. 
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                                         (iii) Testing the Validity of Theories 
                                          
                                           Survey method is very useful in testing the validity of many theories. 
                                          
                                           In many cases, it has been observed that actual surveys have led to entirely different 
                                               results than arrived at through purely theoretical interpretations. 
                                          
                                         (iv) Formulation and Testing of Hypothesis 
                                          
                                           Surveys have proved this usefulness in leading to the formulation of hypothesis. 
                                          
                                           At a more advance stage, surveys are also helpful is putting the hypothesis to test. 
                                          
                                           A general survey brings light to a number of problems that would have not been possible 
                                               by pure theoretical analysis. The survey results may also provide new hypothesis that 
                                               may be completely outside the scope of the existing theory and may lead to the new 
                                               theory. 
                                          
                                         (v) Social Surveys are based on actual observations 
                                          
                                           Under social survey methods, a researcher is in a position to observe the activities of a 
                                               group under study from a much closer distance. 
                                          
                                           It helps a researcher to have a better insight to their doing. 
                                          
                                           Personal  approach  enables  the  researcher  in  getting  reliable  information  as  the 
                                               investigator  is  in  a  position  to  clear  up  doubts  and  misunderstandings  on  the  spot 
                                               specially when the respondents are literates. 
                                          
                                         (vi) Universal Application 
                                          
                                           It is one of widely used methods. 
                                          
                                           In case of social sciences, where experimental method is not easily possible, survey 
                                               method  is  the  most  scientific  method  for  providing  reliable  information  and  thereby 
                                               drawing inferences. 
                                          
                                         Limitations  
                                          
                                           Although survey method has a great significance, there are some limitations commonly 
                                               attributed to this method: 
                                          
                                         (i)     Survey  method  is  costly,  time  consuming  and  wasteful  in  certain  cases  where  the 
                                                 objectives are limited. 
                                          
                                         (ii)    The survey method is unsuitable if the number of persons to be surveyed is very large or 
                                                 they are spread over a large geographical area. 
                                          
                                         (iii)   The survey method lacks flexibility. In case of inadequate or incomplete research design 
                                                 or any change in research design, may mean conducting the survey afresh as there is 
                                                 no other remedy in such cases. 
                                          
                                         (iv)  Under this method it is very difficult to verify the accuracy of the data collected because 
                                                 accuracy  of  the  data,  to  a  great  extent,  is  dependent  upon  the  honesty,  sincerity, 
                                                 personal qualities and un biased attitude of the enumerators and cooperation of the 
                                                 respondents. 
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                                 (v)   Survey method is only useful for current problems and is not suitable for the problem 
                                       that requires the study in the historical perspectives. 
                                  
                                 (vi)  Social survey method does not permit more comprehensive and dynamic study of the 
                                       society. It deals with the problems of immediate importance only.                    
                                  
                                 (vii)  Under this method most of the surveys are conducted on sample basis. If a sample 
                                       survey is not carefully planned and executed, the inferences drawn may be inaccurate 
                                       and misleading. 
                                  
                                 Steps of a Social Survey 
                                  
                                   The essential steps involved in planning and execution of a social survey are as follows: 
                                  
                                      (i)   Selection of a Problem 
                                  
                                   The most important thing to be decided by the researcher is the selection of a research 
                                      problem. 
                                  
                                   By choosing a topic of his liking can pursue has own interest to the farthest limits. 
                                  
                                   The  topic  selected  should  be  practically  feasible,  manageable,  and  of  practical 
                                      importance. 
                                  
                                   There must not be nay haste in deciding his topic non defining its scope. 
                                  
                                   While deciding the topic the researcher should also take into account the availability of 
                                      necessary facilities, equipments, information and the services kind of research. 
                                  
                                      (ii)  Preliminary Study or Pilot Study 
                                  
                                   After the selection of the research problem, the next step for the researcher is to conduct 
                                      a pilot study which will help him to acquaint himself with all the available material and 
                                      literature in the field. 
                                  
                                      (iii)  General Objectives of the Study  
                                  
                                   The purpose of social survey is simply to provide someone with information. 
                                  
                                   The objectives, which initiates a researcher usually expressed in broad terms, are known 
                                      as general objectives. 
                                  
                                   These objectives define the area and the scope of the research but they are small in 
                                      numbers. 
                                  
                                      (iv)  Specific Objectives 
                                  
                                   The broad-based objectives are broken down into numerous specific objectives and the 
                                      hypothesis to be tested by the researcher is formed from the specific objectives at this 
                                      stage. 
                                  
                                      (v)   Resources and Personnel’s 
                                  
                                   At the early stage of the social survey it is desirable to prepare a financial budget. 
                                  
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