Historical Background of Survey
The world social survey was firstly used by heredities during 300B-C for population study in Egypt. Secondly it was used John Howard for prisons and prisoners in Wales and England. French reformers also undertaken it for the conditions of workers after industrialization Row tree used for economic conditions in U.S.A in 1936 and 1988. Shelley Harrison used for interconnected social problems in 1914. The word survey has been derived from two Latin words Sur which means over and Veeir means looking. Combining both we get Surveeir meaning over looking for something.
Definition of Survey Method
following are the definitions of social survey method of data collection
- Dictionary: Social survey is a method which is used to study the current social problems having definite geographical limits.
- Mark Abram: Social survey is a process by which quantitative facts are collected about the social aspect of community.
- Bogurdus: Social survey is the collection of data concerning the living and working conditions of a community’s people.
- E.W. Burgess: It is the scientific study of conditions and needs of community for presenting a constructive programme of social advance.
Conclusion: Form the above definitions we can conclude that social survey is a method to study the social problem and needs of a community in detail.