Field surveys are being used globally as a common method of primary data collection to study and analyse any user phenomenon or business issue, and come up with credible and actionable results that would help to improve the business or take appropriate decisions. This is being used frequently across the private and public sectors whenever the secondary data is insufficient or lacks credibility or accuracy. The data collection method and questionnaire design varies based on the business issue or user/societal phenomenon that we are planning to study and analyse to gain further insights.
However, many a times the field surveys and subsequent data analysis do not provide the required outputs and benefits, and becomes ineffective or a futile exercise. This typically results from certain set of challenges that need to be addressed properly in order to make the survey fruitful and effective. These challenges include measurement of unquantifiable or sensitive questions, assurance of data quality to act upon with confidence, translation or interpretation errors, and gaps in enumerator training. Moreover, inflexible design and possible inappropriateness of questions along with the attitude, behavior and awareness of the respondents add to the challenges of conducting an effective, reliable and useful field survey for accurate data analysis.