While questionnaires are mailed to the respondents, to be answered, in the manner specified in the cover letter. The interview is a one to one communication; wherein the respondents are asked questions directly.
Once the research problem is defined and research design is laid out, the task of data collection begins. There are two types of data, i.e. primary data and secondary data. The data collection methods of these two types of data differ, because, in the case of primary data, the collection of data must be original, while in secondary data, data collection is much like a compilation.
The different methods of collecting primary data, like observation, interview, questionnaire, schedule and so on. Many think that questionnaire and interview are one and the same thing, but there are a lot of differences between these two.
Content: Questionnaire Vs Interview
Comparison Chart
| Basis for Comparison | Questionnaire | Interview |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Questionnaire implies a form consisting of a series of written or printed multiple choice questions, to be marked by the informants. | Interview is a formal conversation between the interviewer and respondent wherein the two participates in the question answer session. |
| Form | Written | Oral |
| Nature | Objective | Subjective |
| Questions | Closed Ended | Open Ended |
| Information provided | Factual | Analytical |
| Order of questions | Cannot be changed, as they are written in an appropriate sequence. | Can be changed as per need and preference. |
| Cost | Economical | Expensive |
| Time | Informant's own time | Real time |
| Communication | One to many | One to one |
| Non-response | High | Low |
| Identity of respondent | Unknown | Known |
Definition of Questionnaire
Questionnaire refers to a research instrument, in which a series of question, is typed or printed along with the choice of answers, expected to be marked by the respondents, used for survey or statistical study. It consists of aformalisedd set of questions, in a definite order on a form, which are mailed to the respondents or manually delivered to them for answers. The respondents are supposed to read, comprehend and give their responses, in the space provided.
A ‘Pilot Study’ is advised to be conducted to test the questionnaire before using this method. A pilot survey is nothing but a preliminary study or say rehearsal to know the time, cost, efforts, reliability and so forth involved in it.
Definition of Interview
The interview is a data collection method wherein a direct, in-depth conversation between interviewer and respondent takes place. It is carried out with a purpose like a survey, research, and the like, where both the two parties participate in the one to one interaction. Under this method, oral-verbal stimuli are presented and replied by way of oral-verbal responses.
It is considered as one of the best methods for collecting data because it allows two way exchange of information, the interviewer gets to know about the respondent, and the respondent learns about the interviewer. There are two types of interview:
- Personal Interview: A type of interview, wherein there is a face to face question-answer session between the interviewer and interviewee, is conducted.
- Telephonic Interview: This method involves contacting the interviewee and asking questions to them on the telephone itself.
Key Differences Between Questionnaire and Interview
The difference between questionnaire and interview can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:
- A form consisting of a series of written or printed multiple choice questions, to be marked by the informants, is called questionnaire. A formal conversation between the interviewer and respondent wherein the two participates in the question-answer session is called interview
- The questionnaire method of collecting data involves emailing questionnaire to respondents in a written format. On the contrary, interview method is one wherein the interviewer communicates to the respondent orally.
- The questionnaire is objective while the nature of the interview is subjective.
- In an interview, open-ended questions are asked by the interviewer to the respondent. As against this, closed-ended questions are asked through a questionnaire.
- The questionnaire provides fact-based information to the respondents. Conversely, analytical information can be gathered through interviews.
- As question are written in a proper manner in a questionnaire, the order cannot be changed. Unlike interview, wherein the order of questions can be changed as per needs and preferences.
- The collection of data through questionnaire is relatively cheap and economical, as money is spent only on the preparation and mailing of the questionnaire to the respondent. In contrast, an interview is a little expensive method, because, to provide data either the respondents have to come to the interviewer or the interviewer has to visit the respondents individually.
- Questionnaire method is more time consuming than an interview, as in an interview, the responses are spontaneous, while the informant takes his own time to reply, in the case of the questionnaire.
- In questionnaire method, a single questionnaire is mailed to many respondents. However, only one person at a time can be interviewed in a case interview.
- The probability of non-responses is very high in case of the questionnaire, as many people avoid answering it and so they return the questionnaire with providing their responses. On the other hand, the chances of non-responses are almost nil in case of an interview, because of direct interaction between interviewer and respondent.
- In the questionnaire, it is not known, as to who replies it, which is not in the case of an interview.
Conclusion
So, whatever method you use for your research project, to collect information, it must fulfil your requirements. As both the methods have their pros and cons, it cannot be said which method is best, i.e. while questionnaire method takes more time, interview method requires high investment. So, you can choose any of the two, considering your needs and expectations from the data collected.
Vic says
Brilliant. Thank you.
Rachel says
Excellent explanation and very helpful. Thank you.
Lillian says
Very useful resource, thank you.
Michael Saka Darkwah says
Can a researcher use both questionnaire and interview in his or her study
Surbhi S says
Yes
Rosemary says
The information is quite helpful thanks
Nandny says
It was easy to read with comparisons
Prosper says
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Fariha says
Thank you for the thorough analysis.
Judith says
Very useful, thanks
ONYANGO CHRISPHINE says
Thanks very much
Ayuba says
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Andargachew Minda says
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NCUBE GERALDINE M says
A well elaborated information