Question 1
What are the advantages of work sampling over time-study methods?Question 2
What are the disadvantages of work sampling?Answer 1
The advantages include: work sampling is less expensive; observers usually don't require much training, and no timing devices are needed; and the study can be delayed temporarily at any time with little impact on the results. And because work sampling uses instantaneous observations over a long period, the worker has little chance of affecting the study's outcome.Answer 2
The disadvantages of work sampling include: it does not break down work elements as completely as time studies; it can yield biased or incorrect results if the observer does not follow random routes of travel and observation, and it is less effective than time studies when task times are short.