A major limitation of surveys that use mailed questionnaires is
A major limitation of surveys that use mailed questionnaires is:
Low Response Rate
Mailed questionnaires often have a low response rate, which means that a significant proportion of the sample does not return the completed questionnaire. This can lead to biased results, as those who do respond may not be representative of the population being studied. Additionally, non-response can be a major source of error, as it can lead to inaccurate estimates of population parameters.
Other limitations of mailed questionnaires include:
- Limited sample size: Mailed questionnaires may not reach a large enough sample size to provide reliable estimates.
- Limited geographic coverage: Mailed questionnaires may not reach respondents in all geographic areas, which can lead to biased results.
- Limited data quality: Mailed questionnaires may be prone to errors, such as incomplete or inconsistent responses.
- High costs: Mailed questionnaires can be expensive to administer, especially if a large sample size is required.
To overcome these limitations, researchers may use alternative methods, such as online surveys, phone surveys, or in-person interviews, which can offer higher response rates and better data quality.