My Survey Experience

My Survey Experience
Now, we are all on the way of our research project. Our group members discussed our project’s topic, designed the questionnaire, and revised it with the help of our supervisor. Finally, in the print room of the central library, after printing out the very first questionnaires which I had taken part in designing, it was time for us to conduct the survey.

I took my share from our group leader, which were about fifteen copies of questionnaires. We four drew lots to separate in groups of two, and I would cooperate with Arthur to deal with the questionnaires. Then, our survey began. Both Arthur and I felt that it was not appropriate to distribute questionnaires in the library, because we thought that to be disturbed while studying would irritate others. I had done two questionnaires in NUS before, when at both times, I was just sitting in the place under the central library. Thus, the first proper place came to my mind was that one.

At first, I thought that the survey was the easiest part of the whole project, because I, personally, was always glad to give people a hand on such kind of small things. However, the reality proved that it was always easier to be said than to be done. Arthur and I went downstairs, and saw several people there. After a little hesitation, I decided to take my first try. My first target was a lady, sitting on the bench, reading. I approached her and asked politely, “Excuse me, could you spare some time to finish this questionnaire?” To my surprise, her response was, “Sorry, I’m a little busy.” So, my first round failed. The failure experience really made me upset. I became more cautious and less dare to ask questions. Moreover, I found it was really hard to get someone who was not “busy” with something. After ten minutes, I did not distribute out any copy. Compared to me, Arthur’s progress during the same time seemed really fruitful. He got two in hand, and another two were on the way.

Then, we moved on to the arts canteen. There were plenty of potential respondents. Not even one time did Arthur seem to have encountered any problem, while I was refused for as many as four times. It was a shame to me to just stand there, staring at other people, but not knowing what to do, for fear of being refused again. After some time, Arthur returned, with only a few remaining in his hand, and asked me for my share. I felt a sense of being defeated, and asked him for the strategies he used. He told me that there were no particular skills he used in distributing questionnaires except for being up-beaten and thick-skinned. The key was not to be afraid. He also said that according to his observation, I sometimes seemed too discreet when I approached people, and this might give them an impression that I was scared by them. He thought that that was the main reason for my unsmoothed distribution.

I admitted my mistake immediately and did as he said. The effect of his suggestion was amazing. From then on, I was not refused by anyone. Some of the respondents were even willing to share their opinions of our survey with me. After two and a half hours’ hard work, we distributed out all of our questionnaires. I was extremely happy because it was a valuable experience for me, and during the distribution process, I learnt something important that could not be gained in the books.