Difference Between Questionnaire and In... TH Comparison Chart) - Key Differences

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Di erence Between Questionnaire and Interview

September 6, 2016 By Surbhi S — 3 Comments
While questionnaires are mailed to the respondents, to be answered, in the

manner specified in the cover letter. The interview is a one to one
communication; wherein the respondents are asked questions directly.
Once the research problem is defined and research design is laid out, the task of
data collection begins. There are two types of data, i.e. primary data and secondary
data. The data collection methods of these two types of data differ, because, in the
case of primary data, the collection of data must be original, while in secondary
data, data collection is much like a compilation.
The different methods of collecting primary data, like observation, interview,

questionnaire, schedule and so on. Many think that questionnaire and interview
are one and the same thing, but there are a lot of differences between these two.
Content: Questionnaire Vs Interview

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion
Comparison Chart
BASIS FOR
QUESTIONNAIRE INTERVIEW
COMPARISON
Meaning Questionnaire implies a form Interview is a formal

consisting of a series of conversation between the
written or printed multiple interviewer and respondent
choice questions, to be wherein the two participates
marked by the informants. in the question answer
session.
Form Written Oral

BASIS FOR
QUESTIONNAIRE INTERVIEW
COMPARISON
Nature Objective Subjective
Questions Closed Ended Open Ended
Information Factual Analytical

provided
Order of Cannot be changed, as they Can be changed as per need

questions are written in an appropriate and preference.
sequence.
Cost Economical Expensive
Time Informant's own time Real time
Communication One to many One to one
Non-response High Low
Identity of Unknown Known

respondent
De nition of Questionnaire
Questionnaire refers to a research instrument, in which a series of question, is
typed or printed along with the choice of answers, expected to be marked by the
respondents, used for survey or statistical study. It consists of aformalisedd set of
questions, in a definite order on a form, which are mailed to the respondents or
manually delivered to them for answers. The respondents are supposed to read,
comprehend and give their responses, in the space provided.
A ‘Pilot Study’ is advised to be conducted to test the questionnaire before using this
method. A pilot survey is nothing but a preliminary study or say rehearsal to know
the time, cost, efforts, reliability and so forth involved in it.
De nition of Interview
The interview is a data collection method wherein a direct, in-depth conversation
between interviewer and respondent takes place. It is carried out with a purpose
like a survey, research, and the like, where both the two parties participate in the
one to one interaction. Under this method, oral-verbal stimuli are presented and
replied by way of oral-verbal responses.
It is considered as one of the best methods for collecting data because it allows two
way exchange of information, the interviewer gets to know about the respondent,
and the respondent learns about the interviewer. There are two types of interview:
Personal Interview: A type of interview, wherein there is a face to face

question-answer session between the interviewer and interviewee, is
conducted.
Telephonic Interview: This method involves contacting the interviewee
and asking questions to them on the telephone itself.
Key Di erences Between Questionnaire and

Interview
The difference between questionnaire and interview can be drawn clearly on
the following grounds:
1. A form consisting of a series of written or printed multiple choice

questions, to be marked by the informants, is called questionnaire. A
formal conversation between the interviewer and respondent wherein
the two participates in the question-answer session is called interview
2. The questionnaire method of collecting data involves emailing

questionnaire to respondents in a written format. On the contrary,
interview method is one wherein the interviewer communicates to the
respondent orally.
3. The questionnaire is objective while the nature of the interview is

subjective.
4. In an interview, open-ended questions are asked by the interviewer to

the respondent. As against this, closed-ended questions are asked
through a questionnaire.
5. The questionnaire provides fact-based information to the respondents.

Conversely, analytical information can be gathered through interviews.
6. As question are written in a proper manner in a questionnaire, the
order cannot be changed. Unlike interview, wherein the order of
questions can be changed as per needs and preferences.
7. The collection of data through questionnaire is relatively cheap and

economical, as money is spent only on the preparation and mailing of
the questionnaire to the respondent. In contrast, an interview is a little
expensive method, because, to provide data either the respondents
have to come to the interviewer or the interviewer has to visit the
respondents individually.
8. Questionnaire method is more time consuming than an interview, as

in an interview, the responses are spontaneous, while the informant
takes his own time to reply, in the case of the questionnaire.
9. In questionnaire method, a single questionnaire is mailed to many

respondents. However, only one person at a time can be interviewed in
a case interview.
10. The probability of non-responses is very high in case of the

questionnaire, as many people avoid answering it and so they return
the questionnaire with providing their responses. On the other hand,
the chances of non-responses are almost nil in case of an interview,
because of direct interaction between interviewer and respondent.
11. In the questionnaire, it is not known, as to who replies it, which is not
in the case of an interview.
Conclusion
So, whatever method you use for your research project, to collect information, it
must fulfil your requirements. As both the methods have their pros and cons, it
cannot be said which method is best, i.e. while questionnaire method takes more
time, interview method requires high investment. So, you can choose any of the
two, considering your needs and expectations from the data collected.
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Filed Under: General
Comments
Vic says
March 20, 2018 at 5:40 pm
Brilliant. Thank you.
Reply
Rachel says
July 9, 2018 at 9:20 am
Excellent explanation and very helpful. Thank you.
Reply
Lillian says
February 15, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Very useful resource, thank you.
Reply
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BUSINESS FINANCE BANKING EDUCATION GENERAL LAW

Di erence Between Questionnaire and Interview

While questionnaires are mailed to the respondents, to be answered, in the

The different methods of collecting primary data, like observation, interview,

Content: Questionnaire Vs Interview

Meaning Questionnaire implies a form Interview is a formal

Form Written Oral

Nature Objective Subjective

Questions Closed Ended Open Ended

Information Factual Analytical

Order of Cannot be changed, as they Can be changed as per need

Cost Economical Expensive

Time Informant's own time Real time

Communication One to many One to one

Non-response High Low

Identity of Unknown Known

Personal Interview: A type of interview, wherein there is a face to face

Key Di erences Between Questionnaire and

1. A form consisting of a series of written or printed multiple choice

2. The questionnaire method of collecting data involves emailing

3. The questionnaire is objective while the nature of the interview is

4. In an interview, open-ended questions are asked by the interviewer to

5. The questionnaire provides fact-based information to the respondents.

7. The collection of data through questionnaire is relatively cheap and

8. Questionnaire method is more time consuming than an interview, as

9. In questionnaire method, a single questionnaire is mailed to many

10. The probability of non-responses is very high in case of the

Difference Between Difference Between Difference Between

Difference Between Difference Between Difference Between

Filed Under: General

Brilliant. Thank you.

Excellent explanation and very helpful. Thank you.

Very useful resource, thank you.

I'm not a robot

Difference Between PERT and CPM

Difference Between Micro and Macro

Difference Between Developed

Difference Between Management and

Difference Between Qualitative and

Difference Between Questionnaire and

Difference Between Survey and

Difference Between Research Method

Difference Between Primary and

Difference Between Direct and Indirect

Difference Between Break and Brake

Difference Between Bear and Bare

Difference Between Disinterested and

Difference Between Specially and

Difference Between Compliment and

Difference Between Stationary and

Difference Between This and That

Difference Between Threw and Through

Liked Send Message

You like this

Have you ever wondered what is the

Copyright © 2019 · KeyDi erences · Contact Us

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