2.6.1 The limitations of this study

Due to the Māori population of New Zealand being a minority one there it was considered that there might be some difficulty in gaining a large enough data sample. It was hoped that by distributing the survey in the main centres that a larger number of researchers would come into contact with the surveys therefore increasing the likelihood of an acceptable number of completed surveys. In addition those researchers not living in the urban centres that have distribution points could still have access to the printed survey online via the Māori Interest Group, New Zealand Society of Genealogists (MIG-NZSG) website.

There was the possibility of there being some self-selection bias. Possibly more experienced whakapapa researchers would be more likely to complete the survey as a result of their greater commitment and interest in the subject. Again the provision of an online distribution point for the survey could have made it more likely for younger researchers to participate. The use of an online survey by Drake (2001) had this effect and on the whole younger researchers will have been involved in their research for less time so responses from less experienced researchers might be more likely as a result.

As several distribution points for the survey were chosen from around the country, the researcher was unable to attend to these personally. This was potentially problematic in terms of consistency of promotion around the various sites. Also communication between the researcher and distribution points was very important in order to keep to prescribed timetables.