1. Survey :
Survey refers to the way of gathering information regarding a variable under study from all or a specified number of respondents of the universe. Surveys are carried out by maintaining a structured form of data collection, through interview, questionnaire, case study etc. In surveys prepared questions are asked from the prepared formal questionnaire set and the output is collected in the same form.
For example – Survey among the students about the new education policy of India.
2. Experiment :
Experiments refers to the way of experimenting something practically with the help of scientific procedure/approach and the outcome is observed. Experiments are carried out by performing the experiments by following scientific procedure or scientific approach. In experiments the investigator/examiner performs tests or experiments based on various factors and observes the outcome of the experiment.
For example – Experiment in the chemistry laboratory by a group of students and faculties specific to a topic.
Difference between Survey and Experiment :
| S.No. | SURVEY | EXPERIMENT |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | It refers to a way of gathering information regarding a variable under study from people. | It refers to the way of experimenting something practically with the help of scientific procedure/approach and the outcome is observed. |
| 02. | Surveys are conducted in case of descriptive research. | Experiments are conducted in case of experimental research. |
| 03. | Surveys are carried out to see something. | Experiments are carried out to experience something. |
| 04. | These studies usually have larger samples. | These studies usually have smaller samples. |
| 05. | The surveyor does not manipulate the variable or arrange for events to happen. | The researcher may manipulate the variable or arrange for events to happen. |
| 06. | It is appropriate in case of social or behavioral science. | It is appropriate in case of physical and natural science. |
| 07. | It comes under field research. | It comes under laboratory research. |
| 08. | Possible relationship between the data and the unknowns in the universe can be studied through surveys. | Experiments are meant to determine such relationships. |
| 09. | Surveys can be performed in less cost than a experiments. | Experiments costs higher than the surveys. |
| 10. | Surveys often deals with secondary data. | Experiments deal with primary data. |
| 11. | In surveys there is no requirement of laboratory equipment or there is a very small requirement of equipment just to collect any sample of data. | In experiments usually laboratory equipment are used in various activities during the experiment process. |
| 12. | It is vital in co-relational analysis. | It is vital in casual analysis. |
| 13. | No manipulation is involved in surveys. | Manipulation is involved in experiments. |
| 14. | In surveys data is collected through interview, questionnaire, case study etc. | In experiments data is collected through several readings of experiment. |
| 15. | Surveys can focus on broad topics. | Experiments focuses on specific topic. |
