Indirect oral examination method is resorted when the time and funds are limited and an exhaustive direct investigation cannot be taken in hand. A small list of questions is prepared and put to those who are supposed to have an intimate knowledge of research problem and the sources of the pertinent data.
Many enquiry commissions conduct indirect oral examinations of the witnesses to ascertain the relevant facts of the problem.
It is desirable that several people be contacted so that cross-checks can be made on the facts and their reliability and desirability increased.