1. What is Survey Research? How it different from Observation Research? (20) aed a Survey Research is a type of descriptive research to study a particular situation, or setting, to Rnow its whole state ofthe art condition or avy particular aspect to answer what, where when and whotypes of questions. Sometimes a huge databank creation is the only immediate motive of survey research. In social sciences it is the most popular method. Most of the research tw social sclences is a survey research. Results of social surveys have amply demonstrated the validity of scientific method of research to study Social problems. Survey research mostly implies inductive Logic for results and conclusions. This caw also be used to study the relations between two variables. Survey data collection may be complete in itself to be Later used by other researchers, business decision makers, planners, policy makers to take high decisions. For academic purpose, it is a complete research process im itself. Iw Library and information management most of the on-going and past research has used survey method. For example, A survey of publiclibrary services in Tamil Nadu, A survey of the information needs of soil scientists; A survey of the use of IT in academic Libraries in North India. Basic work in a survey researchis data collection by direct method. It can be carried out by ~ observation of or by participation in the event. A survey research is undertakento study and deserioe the ground realities ov current state-of-the art of a situation, group of persons or institutions. The answers sought are what, when and where by gathering the facts avd verbal data. Descriptive surveys pertain both to qualitative and quantitative research. It may also be used to collect huge data to be used Later for multiple purposes. Decennial census of India is one such example. tt requires collection of primary data from the whole field. tt could also be collection of data by a sample survey to solve a research problem, study velations between. two variables by statistical methods, or to provide scientifically collected facts and figures to draw theory based conclusions. Trend started with Long and vast social surveys to collect data for planning policies and actions. m1 ut from Observation a Core workin a survey vesearchis data collection by divect method. Data should be primary and obtained by direct observation or from original and reliable sources. Survey basically involves data, facts or textual verbal information or opinton gathering by formal and systematic method. There are many techniques and instruments to do so: 1. by direct but stand aside observation. 2. by observing as one of the participant of the activities. 3. by maring door to door survey or meeting individual informants for askina snecific auestions.The observation takes place in natural situation without any controls imposed oy the observer on the situation. It helps to collect the data as it occurs without any interference. Complete and detailed data is collected and recorded through observation of a phenomena or behaviour. However, it weeds to be planned and all the sensory organs haveto be used. The data has to be collected and recorded systematically. Many disciplines/subjects including sciences ana social sciences have been developed with the data collected through this method. Tne behavioural scientists and anthropologists devised /prepared several theories ou the basis of observation. To make the data reliable ana valid, the process has to be planned and the data has to be recorded systematically. Thereis also a weed for checks and controls while collecting the data. Every mode of data collectionin a survey research reduces to observation. inthis method the researcher observes an activity and notes down the information/data standing froma close distance. It is the most obvious and reliable method of data collection. This again caw. be divided into two categories ~ a) by informing the informants. b) in a hidden or secret way Getting information from the target population has become a matter of personal obligation. Every survey researcher has a bagful of woeful tales to tell. Usually it requires lot of patience, persuasion and srill to motivate the vespoudents to male them give the requested information or opinions. Therefore, persons who are not very social or do wot have persistent attitude even in face of humiliation are not very suitable for this kind of research.