What is a notable strength of using surveys as a data collection tool?

Using surveys as a data collection tool is particularly notable for their cost-effectiveness. Surveys can be administered to large groups of people relatively inexpensively when compared to other methods, such as interviews or focus groups, which often require more extensive time commitments and resources. This cost efficiency allows researchers to gather data from a wide audience, providing statistical power and helping to ensure the findings are representative of the larger population.

In addition, surveys can be distributed through various means (online, mail, in-person), enabling researchers to reach participants across different demographics without incurring high costs. This ability to collect data economically makes surveys a popular choice in social work research, especially when funding and resources are limited. The design of surveys facilitates the collection of quantifiable data that leads to robust analytical insights, enhancing the overall quality of research findings while keeping expenses manageable.