GATHER`S INFORMATION

FROM SURVEY`S,
EXPERIMENT`S, OR
OBSERVATION`S
 MEANING OF SURVEY
• A survey is a data collection tool used
to gather information about
individuals. Surveys are commonly used in
psychology research to collect self-report
data from study participants. A survey may
focus on factual information about
individuals, or it might aim to obtain the
opinions of the survey takers.
 MEANING OF EXPERIMENT

• An experiment is a procedure carried out

to support, refute, or validate a hypothesis.
Experiments vary greatly in goal and scale,
but always rely on repeatable procedure
and logical analysis of the results. There
also exists natural experimental studies.
 OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

• Observes individuals and measures

variables of interest but does not attempt
to influence the responses. This study is a
poor way to gauge the effect that changes
in one variable has on another.
EXPERIMENT VS. OBSERVATIONAL

• An experiment imposes a treatment on

individuals to collect data on their
response to the treatment.
• An observational study observes
individuals and measures variables
without controlling the individuals or their
environment in any way.
 Key Differences Between Survey and
Experiment
The differences between survey and
experiment can be drawn clearly on the
• following
A technique of gatheringgrounds:
information regarding a
variable under study, from the respondents of the
population, is called survey. A scientific procedure
wherein the factor under study is isolated to test
hypothesis is called an experiment.
• Surveys are performed when the research is of
descriptive nature, whereas in the case of
experiments are conducted in experimental
research.
• --The survey samples are large as the response
rate is low, especially when the survey is
conducted through mailed questionnaire. On
the other hand, samples required in the case of
experiments is relatively small.
• --Surveys are considered suitable for social and
behavioural science. As against this,
experiments are an important characteristic of
physical and natural sciences.
• --Field research refers to the research
conducted outside the laboratory or
workplace. Surveys are the best example of
field research. On the contrary, Experiment is
an example of laboratory research. A
laboratory research is nothing but research
carried on inside the room equipped with
scientific tools and equipment.
• --In surveys, the data collection methods
employed can either be observation, interview,
questionnaire, or case study. As opposed to
experiment, the data is obtained through
several readings of the experiment.
 Advantages of surveys:

• • can be administered in a variety of

forms (telephone, mail, on-line, mall
interview, etc.)
• are efficient for collecting data from a
large population
• can be designed to focus only on the
needed response questions
• are applicable to a wide range of topics
 Disadvantages of surveys:

• • are dependent upon the respondent's

honesty and motivation when answering
• can be flawed by non-response
• can possess questions or answer choices
that may be interpreted differently by
different respondents (such as the choice
"agree slightly")