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Surveys/
questionnaires
Involves bringing
people together in
varying numbers to
discuss a topic and/
or an issue.
Participant/
stakeholder
discussions
There are several
types of surveys
questions.
Responses are
used to gain an
understanding of the
respondents and/or
the topic in question.
Involves gathering
information from a
sample of people
by asking them a
set of questions
(e.g. in paper format
or using an online
platform such as
SurveyMonkey or
Google Forms).
Examples: focus
groups, dialogues,
community forums.
Description
Method
• Respondents can share personal
feedback without being identified
by the researcher.
• Unbiased as the same question set
is asked to all participants.
• Can be broad or targeted in both
the questions asked and the
participants involved.
• A cost effective and easy way to
collect large volumes of primary
data.
• Useful for collecting individual
thoughts and experiences.
• Can be educative because
discussions can highlight key
points and perspectives that had
not been considered.
Example: an online survey for
young people between 15 and 25,
to find out their experiences with
law enforcement agencies.
• Inability to respond to answers
directly or ask follow-up questions.
• Relies on self-reporting,
participants may not be honest,
nor be able to recall past actions.
• Limited in the depth of information
that can be provided.
Useful when you want an efficient
and cost-effective way to seek the
views of a large number of people.
Example: bringing a village
community together to discuss
how to evaluate the outcomes of
activities to reduce family violence.
• Inflexible, as questions cannot
be adapted to suit different
respondents.
• Those participants who are
“loudest” may dominate the
discussion.
• Can be more time efficient than
individual interviews.
• Reduces your NHRI’s influence on
the data.
• The response time for individual
participants is less.
• Allow for multiple narratives to be
expressed.
Deliberative dialogue and
community forums are useful
when facilitating others to work
on specific issues, collecting
information and identifying
collaborative solutions.
Example: facilitating a discussion
among prisoners about detention
conditions.
• Participants may not share details if
they feel they have a minority view.
• Participants may not disclose
personal information.
A focus group is useful when you
want to obtain detailed ‘insider’
information on a topic.
When to use this method
• May not allow participants to
express individual opinions and
thoughts.
Disadvantages
• Allows for ‘insider’ experience,
thoughts and feelings to be
understood.
• Participants develop each other’s
ideas and deepen the discussion.
• Can be valuable to obtain detailed
information.
Advantages
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning | A Guide for NHRIs in the Asia Pacific
Module 3: Developing your MEAL Plan