Final answer:
Personal, face-to-face surveys are, indeed, the most effective and most expensive type of surveys. They provide in-depth data and are used by organizations to ensure a representative sample when other methods are not sufficient. This method's effectiveness compensates for its cost and time-consuming nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, personal, face-to-face surveys are generally the most effective and most expensive form of survey. Organizations such as Gallup may conduct face-to-face interviews in areas where less than 80% of households have phones, ensuring a more representative sample. However, this method is time-consuming and costly, requiring selection of representative households or polling locations, multiple attempts to reach respondents, and in some contexts, the ability to capture nuanced data not always attainable via other methods such as online or phone surveys.
The data collected through face-to-face surveys are considered deeper and more reliable, as respondents are engaged directly, which can often yield higher quality responses. This contrasts with other methods such as online surveys, phone surveys, and mail surveys, which, while less costly and easier to administer, might not always capture the depth of information that face-to-face interaction can.
Despite the advent of modern technology, where social media, emails, and instant messaging have become prevalent, face-to-face communication often proves most effective for comprehensive research and influencing public opinion, attesting to the continued value and effectiveness of this traditional method.