A simple and cheap data collection method often used in a supplementary quality. The participant fills the pre-designed survey without any help or presence of a surveyor whatsoever. The survey is traditionally paper based; however it can easily be online or on less traditional setups such as tablets. These surveys are both shorter and simpler than those where a surveyor is present, however the tendency of responders’ decreased engagement with them has to be taken into account.
In certain scenarios and types of questions, however, this rapid method is actually the most fitting. We can use it to gather crucial supplementary information to our already existing research, therefore making our in-person and telephone-basedpolling more accurate.
