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117 Table 2: Advantages and Disadvantages of Various Data Collection Methods Methods Advantages Disadvantages Focus Group Discussions  Quick and cheaper to collect data as it allows interviewing a group of people at the same time.  Group interaction and dynamic can enhance the quantity and quality of data collected.  Good source of information on participants’ beliefs, opinions and perceptions on the topic of the researcher’s interest.  Generates an opportunity to understand factors that influence opinions or behaviour and differences in participants’ perspectives.  The flexibility of focus group discussions allows the facilitator to probe issues in more detail and this brings about new and broad range of ideas.  They can be difficult to arrange, manage and control.  The discussion can be dominated by some influential members inhibiting others from contributing.  Not suitable for sensitive topics like sexual behaviour or HIV/AIDS, especially if the group is heterogeneous.  There is great temptation for some members to support popular ideas even when they do not believe in them thus collecting less reliable data.  The success of a focus group discussion depends more on a well-trained interviewer and a good atmosphere that encourages interaction. Direct Observation  Data collected is very reliable as you can observe what is happening in a natural setting unlike being told by respondents.  Does not depend on the availability and willingness of respondents to provide information.  Observation can be conducted even by novice researchers as it is less demanding in terms of skills compared to interviews or group discussions.  It allows the researcher to observe people’s natural behaviour and determine whether what they say matches with what they do.  Limited to studying the present and not past problems or events.  Does not help in understanding factors influencing people’s behaviour simply because opinions, attitudes or perceptions cannot be studied by observations.  Satisfactory results of a study may not be attained by use of observation only instead; interviews may be conducted to seek clarification among other things.  Prone to observer bias as direct observation increases chances of people changing their behaviour. Stakeholder Analysis  Cheaper to use as less resources are required to conduct it.  The process of agreeing who the stakeholders are can be overwhelming and time-consuming and complex.