Chart of Appropriate Methods in different circumstances

Figure 1. Chart showing appropriate methods in different circumstances for gathering feedback from users and other respondents. Based on work by Anne Connor
Circumstances Observation Written Questionaire Oral Questionaire Interview Group Discussion Casework Studies Visual Projection
Large Number of people involved * * P - P (series) - P
Small Number of people involved * * * * P * *
Limited time available * P P - * - *
Limited Resources * * - - * - *
Dispersed target population - * - P (telephone) - * P
Respondents' communications skills limited * - * * some circumstances - *
Need to identify broad range of views - * - - * - *
Need to get complete and/or very accurate response - - - * - - -
Want respondents to reflect on circumstances, changes; to discuss feelings or views - P * * - * *
Consumers suspicious of outsiders - - * (Project Staff) - * * *
*: Suitable
P: Possible
-: Not suitable or not tried

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