Social Survey Method

INTRODUCTION

Man is the most unique of all living creatures. His total makeover starting from his brain down to his nervous system makes him a very conscious being. This consciousness is reflected in the exploitation and exploration of his environment. He is curious about his immediate environment and forces beyond his control. His is particular about knowing more about the world in which he finds himself, why the world is the way it is and ways by which he can change it to soothe him. He is in constant search for knowledge. This search for knowledge is known as Research because it results from the systematic study of interested phenomenon. In trying to carry out research, man employs several methods and procedures known as RESERCH METHODS.

It is the most popular in social science. Social survey is often employed when studying a large population in order to discover the interrelationships of variables of the population. The major purpose of survey is to have an accurate assessment of the characteristics of a given population. In order to do this, the researcher has to study samples which are drawn from the population. From these samples, the researcher can infer the basic characteristics of the defined population. The survey method helps the research to uncover data that relates to vital facts about the people such as their beliefs, attitudes and behavior. The major advantage of the survey research method is that can be administered to a large number of persons and it is also a flexible method for gathering information.

Survey can be classified by methods of obtaining information. These methods include; the interview, written questionnaire

The questionnaire may get lost in transit due to poor postal services or incorrect address.

2. It has a low percentage return rate.

3. Respondents can easily collude with each other, thereby making their responses quite unreliable.

4. The researcher has no control of how long the collection exercise will last.

THE FACE TO FACE METHOD OF ADMINISTERING QUESTIONNAIRE. This method is the mostly used. In the face to face method, the questionnaire is administered face to face to the subject either by the researcher himself or his assistant. The questionnaires are either filled on the spot and given back to the researcher or the researcher comes back after some minutes, hours, days , weeks, or months to collect them .Some of the advantages of this method is that;

1. There is a guarantee that the questionnaire will get to its destination (respondents).

2. No much opportunity for respondents to collude with each other.

3. The researcher can control the timing for the completion of the questionnaire.

4. The percentage return rate of questionnaire is very high.

5. It gives the respondent opportunity to clarify questionnaires not fully understood directly from the