Criteria Survey Focus Group Experiment Interview Observation Secondary Sources

Research Objective Broad In-depth Specific In-depth Broad Broad

Type of Data Needed Quantitative Qualitative Both Qualitative Both Both

Target Population Specific Specific Specific Specific Broad Broad

Time and Resources Efficient Moderate Moderate Moderate Variable Efficient

Depth of Information Moderate In-depth Moderate In-depth Moderate Moderate

Level of Control Low Low High Low Low N/A

Generalizability High Low Moderate Low Low Moderate

This table can be used as a reference to help researchers select the most appropriate
data collection method.