Evaluate the Usefulness of Primary Methodologies

chief(a) methodologies are ways we gather information when conducting hearty inquiry. There are multiple types of rough-and-ready methodologies in meeting qualitative info homogeneous interviews and a focus group as well as quantitative data bid questionnaires, surveys and statistical seek for examples. There are many advantages and disadvantages to tout ensemble ancient methodologies, including the information collected world more(prenominal) than personalisedly suited to the researcher while cosmos more age consuming than whatsoever secondary research.One advantage of particular methodologies is the amount of information you abide entrance from hatful. Some methodologies, homogeneous surveys, arouse generate qualitative data from a large number of actors easily. A survey, which is a systematic snapshot used to popularize for a larger whole , are palmy to administer, are simply created, are represent legal and efficient in collecting information from a large number of answerers . Researchers rotter reach responders, nationwide and globally, through many means like the lucre and can collect the data in appliance too .But surveys can become unreliable overdue to when a survey is littlely written (surveyor bias, poor choice of wording and questions), respondent bias, respondents non respond properly (lack of motivation, afraid of honesty) and a lack of response to the survey . Surveys are an example of a recyclable primary methodology in collecting qualitative data like statistics from a wide regorge of mickle, if written properly and easy to understand. Primary methodologies are useful in collecting personal data fitted to the social research being conducted.The researcher can choose appropriate methodologies which can best collect the qualitative and quantitative information required. An interview is distant more personal than former(a) primary methodologies, like a questionnaire, as the interviewer works directly with the respondent and creates questions based on the participants experience and can in like manner ask follow-up questions, what you cant fulfil in surveys. Data collected from structured interviews can be qualitative and quantitative .Interviews however can be time consuming for both interviewer and respondent and although it is usually easy for the respondent, especially when asked for an opinion or impression, interviews can be hard to conduct for a researcher . Interviews are useful in creating personal information suited to the research and can throw away more detailed data than other methodologies. A focus group is an accessal primary methodology which can give detailed information, which is another advantage. When people are gathered and asked and presented with specific questions and ideas to create discussion, citywide data can be retrieved and used in research.Group discussions can uncover and explain issues and reactions which may not have been expected or surfac ed in a survey or questionnaire. Issues can be examined more in-depth than a general quantitative survey and, like an interview, can include follow-up questions to provide profuse and insightful data and feedback . Focus groups on the other hand are also more time consuming than secondary research and can be costly (paying participants to cover travelling and time spent, provide costs, room hire, tape/recording equipment).Costs for focus groups for some companies in 2010 costed between $4000 and $6000, paying each participant an average of $500. Data from focus groups cant essentially be used to make a generalisation for the population, due to small numbers being assessed. A focus group of a fewer hundred people is needed for reliable results, which is cost prohibitive. Skilled moderators can be in addition hard to find . Focus groups while effective in providing detailed information like from interviews has its flaws like all methodologies, even though they are genuinely useful in marketing for example.Primary methodologies are useful in social research but they all have their disadvantages. Methods like passive or supple participant observation have their benefits like being immersed in the research topic but people knowing that they are being observed practically change their behaviour to be seen in a more positive light . By taking measures in eliminating bias and receiving accurate and reliable results primary methodologies are are effective tools in research along with secondary research.