3. The study and treatment of current social problems
3.3.5.6. PERSONAL INTERVIEW AND MAILED QUESTIONNAIRE
Often questionnaire and interview schedule used in personal interview are treated as synonyms. Technically, however, it is desirable to differentiate between them. The following are some of the major differences between mailed questionnaire and interview schedule used in personal interview
(1) The main differences between the two is the fact that while the schedule used in personal interview and filled in by the field worker himself,
the questionnaire is generally mailed to the respondents who fills it up and return it to the researcher. Thus, the main difference between the two is regarding the method of collecting data through them.
(2) Large areas can be covered through questionnaire method, but it is very
difficult to cover a large area by
using personal interview method.
(3) Along with schedule, observation and interview method can be used. But mailed questionnaire can not be used in combination with other methods.
(4) In order to attract the attention of the respondent the
physical appearance of mailed questionnaire must be attractive, but this is not required for schedule in personal interview method. Because in schedule the responses are not filled in by the respondents. Here all the answers are filled by the investigator only.
The success of the questionnaire method depends on the quality of questions, length of questionnaire, attractiveness of the questionnaire etc., but in case of schedule it depends much upon -the honesty and the personality of the investigator.
(6) Questionnaire is impersonal in character, whereas schedule is personal in character.
(7) In comparison with personal interview, mailed questionnaire is very economical. It requires less money, time and energy.
(8) As far as coverage of population is concerned, mailed questionnaire is limited to only literate people, but schedule is applicable to all. In case of a schedule education of people is not a minimum requirement for giving responses because here the researcher himself fills the responses of the respondent.
(9) Appeal-letter is used in case of mailed questionnaire to motivate the respondent to send their responses. But it is not required for personal interview method. In this method, the researcher can directly interact with the respondent and can motivate them for giving their responses.
(10) As far as reliability is concerned the personal interview is reliable because the investigator is present in the field and influences the respondent to give the responses. But in mailed questionnaire method, reliability of information is very less. Because often the respondents do not send the filled in questionnaire form or send only an incomplete form to the researcher.
(11) Replies can be received very quickly in questionnaire method but the personal interview method requires more time to
collect the responses from the respondents.
(12) In comparison with the schedule used in interview, mailed questionnaire is more useful and economical, when the researcher has to go for a repetitive study.
(13) Questionnaire is comparatively an easier method to plan, construct and administer than personal interview.
(14) Questionnaire puts less pressure on respondents for immediate response than personal interview.
(15) Questionnaire can be used as a standardized device and uniformity can be ensured in questionnaire. But such uniformity cannot be ensured in personal interview method.
(16)The researcher may get manipulated entries in mailed
questionnaire method. Because here the researcher
does not get an opportunity to cross check the
responses of subjects, but in personal interview method the
researcher can check manipulated answers of the
respondents through direct interaction with them, by
judging their attitude and by asking many cross questions to the respondents.
Electronic resources and its usage:
E-resources are an accepted means of information resources in the present information society; with the amount of new resources available, the need for adequate computer literacy and aptness in using the existing sources has become the need of the hour and the studies reveal its impact in terms of awareness and effective use of the available resources by the scientists of digital libraries of India.
Cost, the level of importance, and the use of e-resources have dramatically increased in the digital library environment; Web DB, e-book, e-journal, and other e-resources such as CD-ROM, DVD, and micro materials have become important sources in libraries.
Librarians of digital libraries should use new information technologies and new approaches to better serve their scientists in new ways of acquiring information. Libraries
should organize their services so that they bring their information resources closer to the busy scientists. They should acquire new skills and learn how to organize information for presentation on the Internet portals or by handheld devices. Additional drive for librarians in their efforts is the introduction of evidence-based practice. Librarians can teach scientists to search and critically evaluate information, thus helping in the process of their research.
Librarians with experience in licensing and managing ERs are effective in rapidly diagnosing and remedying access problems.