Question

Question 1: (50 marks – 500 words)   

A colleague is planning to conduct a survey among a sample of university students on a sensitive health topic. He is considering the following methods of data collection:

• Face-to-face interviews
• A self-completion survey using a smartphone app.

1. Recommend the method of data collection that you believe is most appropriate, giving reasons for your choice.
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods for this survey.

Question 2: (50 marks – 500 words)   

You own a marketing research firm. Your client operates a Taxi service from a commuter town to a busy city centre. The transport alternatives for this commute are limited (there is no Bus service). The client wants to make sure that he is offering the best service possible to his customers. He wants to understand better their views on the service and their experience of it. He has come to you for advice.

Prepare a proposal for him outlining the strengths and limitations of

(a) A cross-sectional study; and

(b) A longitudinal or panel study.

Note: the student has to link the strengths and limitations with respect to the case given. Examples should be given.

Answer 1

A. When planning to conduc a survey among a sample of university students on a sensitive health topic, a most effective method need to be used for data. collection for the survey to be useful for a bigger plan or purpose.  

Out of two methods mentioned, a self completion surrvey using a smartphone app would be more effective. The main reasons for this choice are as under :

... A. wider reach for the survey

.... As compared to face to face interview, online surveys save lot of time for the surrveyors as well as for the targeted students.

... Students can respond to survey at their convenient time where as for interview surveyors have to look for available time for students

.... More accurate information is gathered through online surveys as students are free to think and answer where as in face to face interview students might not be able give the exact info as they do not get much time in a face to face interview.

.... High accessibility is a big benefit of the surveyors using smartphone survey

.... Good quality control can be ensured in smartphone surveys

.... Respondents are anonymous in smart phone surveys and students will feel more comfortable in remaining anonymous in surrveys

... Quick data processing and handling is another benefit of a smartphone app surrvey among students

In a recent survey among undegraduate students on use of smart phone applications, a significant number of over 76% students use apps to find academic information. With the advances in information technology, the lifestyles have changed drastically among the young generation. No doubt, the young generation are more comfortable in using their smart phones for all purposes in their daily lives.   We can't imagine a life within a handy phone and this generation is so used to the easy accebiliy to everything we require. One other things that make smart phones so vital to our daily lives is their efficiency. The speed with which you can do tasks on a smartphone is almost unparalleled. It allows you to get work done and communicate with people even whilst you're on the move.  

Conclusion : It is very apparent that students of this generation are very technology savvy. They are so used to fast applications and for  life, for surveys also they will be more comfortable in giving smartphone surveys.