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Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Questionnaire and Interview

questionnaire vs interviewWhile 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

  1. Comparison Chart
  2. Definition
  3. Key Differences
  4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for ComparisonQuestionnaireInterview
MeaningQuestionnaire 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.
FormWrittenOral
NatureObjectiveSubjective
QuestionsClosed EndedOpen Ended
Information providedFactualAnalytical
Order of questionsCannot be changed, as they are written in an appropriate sequence.Can be changed as per need and preference.
CostEconomicalExpensive
TimeInformant's own timeReal time
CommunicationOne to manyOne to one
Non-responseHighLow
Identity of respondentUnknownKnown

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:

  1. 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
  2. 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.
  3. The questionnaire is objective while the nature of the interview is subjective.
  4. 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.
  5. The questionnaire provides fact-based information to the respondents. Conversely, analytical information can be gathered through interviews.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.

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Comments

  1. Vic says

    March 20, 2018 at 5:40 pm

    Brilliant. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Rachel says

    July 9, 2018 at 9:20 am

    Excellent explanation and very helpful. Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Lillian says

    February 15, 2019 at 3:04 pm

    Very useful resource, thank you.

    Reply
  4. Michael Saka Darkwah says

    March 2, 2019 at 3:40 pm

    Can a researcher use both questionnaire and interview in his or her study

    Reply
    • Surbhi S says

      March 5, 2019 at 9:44 am

      Yes

      Reply
  5. Rosemary says

    April 3, 2019 at 12:15 am

    The information is quite helpful thanks

    Reply
  6. Nandny says

    April 3, 2019 at 11:10 pm

    It was easy to read with comparisons

    Reply
  7. Prosper says

    September 26, 2020 at 1:04 am

    Very elaborate. thax.

    Reply
  8. Fariha says

    January 11, 2021 at 6:06 am

    Thank you for the thorough analysis.

    Reply
  9. Judith says

    February 26, 2021 at 11:03 pm

    Very useful, thanks

    Reply
  10. ONYANGO CHRISPHINE says

    June 9, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    Thanks very much

    Reply
  11. Ayuba says

    November 1, 2021 at 11:36 am

    It’s precise and orderly educative!

    Reply
  12. Andargachew Minda says

    May 25, 2022 at 1:06 pm

    Excellent and complete information

    Reply
  13. NCUBE GERALDINE M says

    August 10, 2022 at 9:24 am

    A well elaborated information

    Reply
  14. Tinashe says

    April 13, 2023 at 2:16 pm

    Helpful information

    Reply

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