Self-completed surveys are surveys that are completed by the respondents themselves, without the assistance of an interviewer. They can be administered online, by mail, or in person.

Pros of self-completed surveys:

• Cost-effective: Self-completed surveys are relatively inexpensive to administer, especially online surveys.
• Convenient: Respondents can complete self-completed surveys at their own time and convenience.
• Anonymous: Self-completed surveys can be anonymous, which can encourage respondents to be more honest in their responses.
• Reduced interviewer bias: Self-completed surveys eliminate the risk of interviewer bias, which can occur when interviewers influence the responses of participants.
• Large sample size: Self-completed surveys can be used to collect data from a large number of respondents relatively easily.

Cons of self-completed surveys:

• Low response rates: Self-completed surveys often have low response rates, meaning that a significant proportion of respondents do not complete the survey.
• Incomplete surveys: Some respondents may not complete the entire survey, which can lead to bias in the results.
• Data quality: The quality of the data collected from self-completed surveys can be variable, depending on the respondents’ understanding of the questions and their motivation to complete the survey accurately.
• Complex questions: Self-completed surveys may not be suitable for asking complex or sensitive questions, as respondents may not have the time or motivation to answer them thoughtfully.

One-on-one in-person interviews are surveys that are conducted by an interviewer in person. The interviewer asks the questions and records the responses of the participant.

Pros of one-on-one in-person interviews:

• High response rates: One-on-one in-person interviews typically have higher response rates than self-completed surveys.
• Complete surveys: Participants are more likely to complete an entire interview than they are to complete a self-completed survey.
• High data quality: One-on-one in-person interviews can produce high-quality data, as the interviewer can clarify questions and ensure that participants are answering them accurately.
• Complex questions: One-on-one in-person interviews are suitable for asking complex or sensitive questions, as the interviewer can explain the questions and probe for more detailed responses.

Cons of one-on-one in-person interviews:

• Expensive: One-on-one in-person interviews are more expensive to administer than self-completed surveys, as they require the time and resources of an interviewer.
• Time-consuming: One-on-one in-person interviews can be time-consuming for both the interviewer and the participant.
• Interviewer bias: One-on-one in-person interviews are susceptible to interviewer bias, which can occur when the interviewer influences the responses of the participant.
• Small sample size: One-on-one in-person interviews can only be used to collect data from a relatively small number of respondents.

Which design is better?

The best survey design for a particular project will depend on the specific needs of the researcher. If the researcher needs to collect data from a large number of respondents quickly and inexpensively, then a self-completed survey may be the best option. However, if the researcher needs to collect high-quality data from a smaller number of respondents, then a one-on-one in-person interview may be the better option.

Here are some additional considerations for choosing between a self-completed survey and a one-on-one in-person interview:

• Target population: If the target population is difficult to reach or recruit, then a self-completed survey may be the more feasible option.
• Type of data: If the researcher needs to collect complex or sensitive data, then a one-on-one in-person interview may be the better option.
• Budget: If the budget is limited, then a self-completed survey may be the more affordable option.
• Timeline: If the researcher needs to collect data quickly, then a self-completed survey may be the better option.

Conclusion

Self-completed surveys and one-on-one in-person interviews are both valuable research tools. The best design for a particular project will depend on the specific needs of the researcher.