QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY

Involves a printed or electronic list of questions

Is distributed to a predetermined group of individuals

Individuals complete and return questionnaire

SURFACE-MAIL OR FAXED SURVEY:

The target population is large (more than 200)

You require a large amount of categorical data You require quantitative data and statistical analyses

You want to examine the responses of designated subgroups (male/female, for example) The target population is geographically disperse

You want to clarify your team’s objectives by involving team members in a questionnaire-development exercise

You have access to people who can process and analyze this type of data accurately

E-MAIL OR WEB PAGE SURVEY:

You have the appropriate software and knowledge of this method

Your respondents have the technological capabilities to receive, read, and return the questionnaire

Time is of the essence

FACE-TO-FACE INTERVIEW

Involves a printed or electronic list of questions

Is distributed to a predetermined group of individuals

Individuals complete and return questionnaire

You need to incorporate the views of key people (key-informant interview)

The target population is small (less than 50)

Your information needs call for depth rather than breadth

You have reason to believe that people will not return a questionnaire

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS

Like a face-to-face interview, but it is conducted over the telephone

ONE-TO-ONE TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS:

The target population is geographically dispersed

Telephone interviews are feasible (cost, trust of respondent . . .)

TELECONFERENCE INTERVIEWS:

The target population is geographically dispersed

Equipment is in place

GROUP TECHNIQUE (INTERVIEW, FACILITATED WORKSHOP, FOCUS GROUP)

Involves group discussion of predetermined issues or topic

Group members share certain common characteristics

Facilitator or moderator leads the group

Assistant moderator usually records responses

Can be conducted in person or through teleconferencing if available

You need rich description to understand client needs

Group synergy is necessary to uncover underlying feelings

You have access to a skilled facilitator and data has been recorded

You want to learn what the stakeholders want through the power of group observation (using a one-way mirror or video)

DOCUMENT REVIEW

Involves identification of written or electronic documents containing information or issues to be explored

Researchers review documents and identify relevant information

Researchers keep track of the information retrieved from documents

The relevant documents exist and are accessible

You need a historical perspective on the issue

You are not familiar with the organization’s history

You need hard data on selected aspects of the organization