Survey methodologies involve sampling of individual units from a population using data collection techniques such as questionnaires (Pope, 2014). Most of the counseling articles find this methodology to be very useful in their line of duty. The use of survey in collecting data for counseling has been one of the greatest achievements in the field. The author has used survey in his effort to counsel cancer patient in his article titled 12 Useful Steps if you’re diagnosed with Cancer (Pope, 2014). Before posting his article online, Pope had conducted a research survey on several steps that he had shared about dealing with cancer.
His initial plan was to identify the responses of people especially victims of the disease. After a successful research, he found out through several responses from his sample population that his findings were helpful. The information posted on his article is well researched and proven methods of dealing with the effects of cancer. In his article he has given 12 useful steps that a person diagnosed with cancer can use to lessen the severity of the disease. In his survey, he realized that consulting or seeking to get a second opinion to confirm the presence of cancer cells in your body is important (Wester & Borders, 2014).
This decision is based on his experience with his condition. He conducted several researches using questionnaire as the main data collection method in his research. His finding were that self examination is very important especially or women with breast cancer. However, the research revealed that after diagnosis from practitioner, it is also very important to visit a different practitioner in order to confirm from a second opinion that indeed one has cancer.
In this article the author has disclosed his methods of data collection other than questioners. He also used primary sources in his research. Through reading original researches done by other practitioners, the author has been able to gather sufficient information about cancer (Sheperis, Young, & Daniels, 2010). Primary sources are very effective and viable sources of information and research based on such material has a strong base. Other techniques used by the author include verbal communication and face-to-face contact. One of the main advantages of face-to-face communication is that it is verifiable.
Talking to individuals on a face to face basis helps the interviewer to be able to read the respondent’s facial expressions to identify any signs of falsehood. Therefore, in his data collection techniques, the author has been able to get authentic responses and reliable results (Sheperis et al., 2010).
Nonetheless, the methods used by the author are also prone to major limitations. One of the most notable limitations is the fact that the use of questionnaires can be limiting in terms of the responses given by the respondents. Questionnaires may not have enough space for the respondents to write their responses. In addition, in closed questionnaire the respondents are limited to the questions asked and they cannot add any further comments.
In the direct contact technique, the interview can have the benefit of getting first hand responses and he or he is in a position to verify the authenticity of the responses. However, reaching the right people and the most appropriate population is a major limitation in this technique. Lastly, primary resources may be verifiable and authentic but this can be a very expensive endeavor. Most of the primary sources are on sale and cannot be easily accessible without the owners’ permission.
References
Pope, K. S. (2014). 12 Useful Steps if you’re diagnosed with Cancer. Web.
Sheperis, C., Young, J. S., & Daniels, M. H. (2010). Counseling research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. New York, NY: Pearson. Web.
Wester, K. L., & Borders, L. D. (2014). Research competencies in counseling: A Delphi study. Journal of Counseling & Development, 92(4), 447-458. Web.