Table 5. Advantages, disadvantages and considerations, by mode survey administration.
| Mode | Possible advantages | Possible disadvantages | Considerations and significance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-completed | • Versions of the survey can be prepared in multiple languages • Allows for greater anonymity which can reduce social desirability response bias, especially when asking sensitive questions • Can be completed at participants’ own convenience and does not have to be completed in full in one sitting |
• Less control over manner in which survey is completed (e.g. missing data, external assistance) • Requires literacy (unless innovative audio-visual techniques used) • If delivered online/via device, requires access to technology and user proficiency |
Are instructions for completion clear? | If no, may result in response or non-response errors |
| Are measures in place to minimise number of missed questions? | If no, may result in item non-response error | |||
| Is the survey available in places that are convenient for / accessible to the target population? | If no, may result in sampling error | |||
| Are there sufficient resources to ensure the survey is translated in languages required to obtain a representative of the target population? | If no, may result in sampling error | |||
| Interviewer-led | • Can facilitate rapport- and trust-building • Enables greater control over the manner in which the survey is completed by participants Quality of responses is not dependent on participant literacy |
• Lack of anonymity may increase social desirability response bias, especially when asking sensitive questions • Requires participants to be present / available at the time the interviewers are able to collect data If delivered by telephone, requires eligible participants to have access Personnel costs May limit ability to collect data from places if interviewers need to travel long distances • Limited to languages spoken by interviewers |
Is the interview able to be offered at times that are convenient to the eligible population? | If no, may result in sampling error |
| Are the interviewers appropriately trained? | If no, may result in interviewer error or processing error | |||
| Are the characteristics of the available interviewers (e.g. gender) suitable given the characteristics of the participant and survey subject matter? | If no, may result in response error (social desirability), sampling error, interviewer error | |||
| Are the interviews able to be conducted/offered in a private place? | If no, may result in response error (social desirability bias), sampling error | |||