Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Face To Face Method For Analyzing FSC And LCC Airlines Essay.

Advantages of Using the Face to Face Survey Technique

Evaluate the face to face method, which you have chosen, to analyse Full Service Carrier (FSC) and Low Cost Carrier (LCC) airlines.

The importance of survey in conducting a research can never be undermined. There is no point in stating the fact that the survey conduction is the most effective way of carrying out a research, simply because it helps in representing the perspectives of the general population at large, and is extremely cost-effective (Fowler 2013). For the completion of the present research, the face to face survey method, otherwise popularly referred to as the personal interview method has been chosen. A face to face survey method is the traditional method of conducting a survey where the interviewer physically travels to meet the respondents as per their convenience, and record the immediate responses of the interviewees on the spot. There are two ways of conducting the face to face survey- the one in which the interviewer selects the respondents and meet them at their preferred locations, and the second one in which he randomly selects the respondents from the crowd (Duncan and Fiske 2015). Despite the huge popularity of the online and mobile surveys, the face to face survey technique has been preferred because of the possibility of recording high response rates in the cheapest possible way, and also because it facilitates better observation of the behaviour of the respondents. In this context, it would also be interesting to discuss and critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using the method, as experienced in the concerned research method.

Greater Availability of Data: First of all, unlike online surveys which would usually cost huge amount of money for recording the response of larger number of respondents, in this case, the interviewer could approach anyone and everyone, and almost from each one could the response be easily obtained without incurring much expense (Nandi 2015).

Reliability of Data: Besides, the reliability of the data obtained was also highly advantageous, in this context. It should be noted that a research completely relies on the use of authentic data, and online surveys often lead to misrepresentation of facts and falsification of data that can easily (Neuman 2016). However, the face to face survey method enables the interviewer to verify the authenticity of the demographic information provided by the respondents.

Insight into the Verbal and Non-Verbal Ques: The non-verbal ques such as a sharp look, a sigh, a subtle smile on the face, can also help in understanding the perspectives of the interviewers. The face to face survey method enables the interviewer meet the interviewee in person, and interacts with him. Consequently, he can also deduce much data from the gestures and demeanour of the respondents, even when they do not say everything. To keen observation of the respondents’ emotions and behaviours have proved to be largely beneficial.

Greater Availability of Data

Flexibility of the Research Process: The face to face survey method is highly flexible. The respondents are present right in front of the interviewer, and each of the responses can be analysed, reflected and clarified on the spot only. In case, the response were not clear, because of the close-ended nature of the survey questions, the open ended questions were being instantly used, to gain an insight into the situation easily (Bishop and Verleger 2013).

Higher Cost: Although as compared to the online surveys, the face to face survey turned out to be cheaper, yet there is no doubt I stating the fact that this form of survey involved travelling to different locations as per the convenience of the respondents. Hence, it did involve higher expenditure than the paper-pencil questionnaire. Personal cost was higher in case of the survey technique.

Quality of the Data: Since the interviewer and the researcher was one person only, the interviewer often tended to become biased, and tried to manipulate the response of the respondents. The objectivity of the respondents could not be maintained at all times, and that might have affected the quality of the data.

Limited Sample Size: The sample size was largely limited, and there were areas which required further attention, and new respondents needed to be selected, as it became necessary to conduct several interviews over multiple areas (Rossi et al. 2013). However, since this would imply higher cost, the interviewer had to be content with the limited size of data.

Manual Data Entry: Since the face to face survey method involves the use of paper questionnaire, the data analysis method turns out to be difficult. This is simply because the data entry process as well as the process of scanning the questionnaire manually would not only consume much time, but would also increase the cost (Allen and Seaman 2013). A data entry personnel had to be hired, and mobile surveys on I Pads could easily cut down the expense on manual data entry part.

The administration method was more or less successful. Since this was the first time, the interviewer was conducting a survey he had problems in formulating the exact questions that could link the same to the research aims and objectives. Initially, some of the research questions failed to address the research objectives in an effective way, and hence the interviewer started asking a few open-ended questions, to clarify the doubts and elucidate the responses. However, some of the respondents felt offended and started leaving, as they found the interview extending twenty minutes. Some of the respondents found the questions ambiguous, and their doubts were being completely solved. However, those who had no clear idea regarding the survey topic took longer time, approximately 5 minutes, to answer each question. However, since the interviewer was present in person at the time of recording the data, the problems of missing data, illegible handwriting or even ambiguous markings were completely eliminated.

Reliability of Data

In order to improve the administration procedure in future, it would be recommended that the interviewer does not randomly initiate the research method, but rather takes time to explain the scenario and each research question to each participant individually (Meerkerk et al. 2015). The respondents should be incentivized enough so that they do not respond to the research questions half-heartedly, but rather feel motivated to respond to the research questions. The interviewer can offer rewards, such as a shopping gift voucher or a free movie ticket, depending on the preferences of the research respondents.

It is also important to note that a few changes in the questionnaire can help in improving the experience of the respondents, as well as gather the most relevant data needed for the research.

Ease and Simplicity of the Language: The use of a few technical jargons made it difficult for the laymen to decipher the meaning of the research questions. Hence, the research questions will be written in a simplified and elaborate way, so that the laymen can also easily comprehend the meaning and purpose of each question.

Space for Additional Response: It is possible that even after provided response to the close-ended questions, the respondents are willing to clarify their comments, or justify their responses by writing further. Hence, beside the space offered for response to each research question, the questionnaire should provide additional space for further response.

Complex Question should be Split: It often happens that the response to the research questions are not directly connected to the research aims and objectives, Hence, it becomes difficult to deduce any logical data useful for the research from the recorded responses (Rea and Parker 2014). Hence, the research questions, in case are complex, should be broken down and split into four or five simple questions. The same thing will be done for the lengthy questions as well.

Arrangement of the Questions in Proper Order: Each of the questions should be put in a  logical and analytical proper form, so that the respondents can easily comprehend what data is exactly the researcher trying to obtain. Besides, the questions should be simple and easy at the beginning, so that the respondent does not get intimidated.

The face to face survey has helped me develop and enhance my research skills in a considerable way. I have been able to learn the process of approaching the respondents, fixing a location, and extracting the response to the selected research questions from the respective respondents. However, I learnt one important thing that I need to improve my interpersonal communication skills. I am more of a shy and withdrawn person, who encounters problems in approaching people and obtaining the relevant information from them. Hence, I need to enhance my communication skills. I also realized that it is important to incentivize the respondents as well, and to offer them a general idea regarding what the research is exactly about.  While undertaking the survey, I also realized that it is important to assure the respondents regarding the anonymity of the research data. I will also need to overcome the problem of “interviewer bias,” that is, I should not, through my words or actions, unintentionally influence respondents to answer in a particular way so as to favour my research findings.

Student name(s):

Reference List:

Allen, I.E. and Seaman, J., 2013. Changing course: Ten years of tracking online education in the United States. Babson Survey Research Group and Quahog Research Group. Retrieved August 5, 2016. Computers & Education, 69, pp.431-451.

Bishop, J.L. and Verleger, M.A., 2013, June. The flipped classroom: A survey of the research. In ASEE National Conference Proceedings, Atlanta, GA (Vol. 30, No. 9, pp. 1-18).

Duncan, S. and Fiske, D.W., 2015. Face-to-face interaction: Research, methods, and theory (Vol. 3). Routledge.

Fowler Jr, F.J., 2013. Survey research methods. Sage publications.

Nardi, P.M., 2015. Doing survey research. Routledge.

Neuman, W.L., 2016. Understanding research. Pearson.

Rea, L.M. and Parker, R.A., 2014. Designing and conducting survey research: A comprehensive guide. John Wiley & Sons.

Rossi, P.H., Wright, J.D. and Anderson, A.B. eds., 2013. Handbook of survey research. Academic Press.

Van Meerkerk, I., Edelenbos, J. and Klijn, E.H., 2015. Connective management and governance network performance: the mediating role of throughput legitimacy. Findings from survey research on complex water projects in the Netherlands. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 33(4), pp.746-764.