DATA COLLECTION

• Process of collecting and measuring information of selected variables

in an established systematic manner
REASON
The collected data enables the researcher to answer relevant questions
and evaluate the outcome
GOAL
Get quality evidence which will allow researcher to analyze formulation
of convincing and credible answers to prove his or her hypotheses
• Methods vary by discipline but emphasis on honest and accurate
results is common
• Begins after finalization of research problem
• Accuracy required to maintain integrity of the rearch
• Inaccuracy causes inability;
to answer the research questions well
to repeat and validate the research
Types of data
• Primary data
• Secondary data
1PRIMARY DATA
• Data which is collected fresh for the first time
• Eg; interviews ,focus groups ,telephone surveys
• Can be collected from large populations and across wide geographical
area through emails and posts
Advantages of primary data
• Original and pertinent to the subject for high accuracy
• One can get a realistic view about the topic under consideration
• Highly reliable ;collected by the researcher or concerned and reliable
party
• Timeliness –it is up to date and more current
• In depth analysis –as researcher can conduct detailed analysis
• Uniqueness-it is unique to research study and may not be available
elsewhere
Disadvantages of primary data
• Coverage is restricted by size and for larger coverage a more number
of researchers are required
• Cost of collection would increase with increase in time, efforts of
more people
• Takes a long time and efforts
• Design problems while preparing questionnaire
• Timely responses are not received from some of the respondents
• Fake ; socially acceptable answers to suppress reality
• Unskilled personnel may give inadequate data
SECONDARY DATA
• Has been collected by someone else ,analyzed and statistically
processed
• Collected by someone not related to the current research field but
collected the data for some other motive and a different time in the
past
• Researcher uses the data to make conclusions
• May be available in written ,typed or in electric format
• The researcher gains initial insight from it
Classification of secondary data
Internal or in-house data
• If information is acquired within the organization the research
problem is being carried out

External data
• If the information is collected from outside sources
Advantages of secondary data
• Economical and faster to access
• Gives a way to use the work of the best intellectuals all over the world
• Imparts a persuasion to the researcher about the direction he /she
should follow for the topic
• Adds value to the research study
• Preserves effort ,time and money
• Provide a vast amount of data from a wide range of sources
• Researchers can compare data from different sources to identify
patterns
 Disadvantages of secondary data
• The data collected by someone else may not be as reliable and as
accurate compared with primary data

• Data collected at one location may not be acceptable for the other
location because of inconsistent environmental conditions

• As time passes the data becomes obsolete and antiquated

• Collected secondary data may pervert the results of the research

• special care and permissions are necessary to amend or modify for

use
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
• After knowing types of data, a defined data collection process is required to ensure that

the data gathered are both systematic and accurate and that succeeding decisions based

on arguments embodied in the findings are valid.

• The data collection process gives an idea about a baseline from which to measure and in
certain cases an indication of what to improve.

• To collect primary data there are three sources :

 Observation of research field

 interviewing group of people

 sending questionnaire to group coming under research area.

OBSERVATION
 A complex source of primary data collection as it forces researcher to do multitasking and
to use a number of techniques continuously; including her/his five senses to collect data.

 The objective of observation method is to observe people in their natural ways as they
follow their everyday lives.

 Observation methods can be preferred because it can overcome the issues like validity,
bias in quantitative research methods.

 Observation can be participant or non-participant based on participation of researcher.

a)Participant

The researcher observes actual situation carefully by putting himself in that situation.

 On the basis of relevance to research topic, his/her skills, knowledge and

experience he collects the data from respondents by observing their natural
behavior.

 The results of participant observation completely depends on the talent and skills
of the researcher. This method can be used only by experts and experienced
researchers
b)Non-participant

It is a data collection technique whereby the researcher does not take an

active part in the situation under scrutiny only watches the subjects of his or her
study, with their knowledge.

 The data obtained can be invalid as observed people may behave differently
hence this approach is sometimes criticized
Advantages of observation

• Subjective bias can be eliminated

• Data is unaffected by past behavior or future intentions
• Natural behavior of group is allowed to record Real-world context: Observations
allow researchers to collect data in a natural setting, providing a more accurate
representation of behavior or phenomena.
• Non-intrusive: conducted without directly interfering with the participants or
the environment
• Rich and detailed data: capture fine-grained details and nuances of behavior
that may not be easily captured
• Flexibility: Observations can be adapted to different research contexts and
Disadvantages of observation
• Gives limited amount of information

• Unseen factors can affect the observation task

• Observer bias: The presence of an observer can influence the behavior of participants.
• Limited generalizability: Observations are often conducted in specific settings or with a limited
number of participants
• Time-consuming especially when researchers need to observe participants over extended
periods or in multiple settings
• Ethical concerns: In some cases, observing individuals without their knowledge or consent may
raise ethical concerns, particularly when privacy is involved
• Subjectivity: Despite efforts to remain objective, observers may still interpret and record data
based on their own biases or preconceived notions.
INTERVIEWING
 In this method of primary data collection the interviewer (researcher) personally
communicates with the informants and asks required questions to them about
the research topic.

 Data can be efficiently collected from the informants by cross examining them.

 Efficient and tactful interviewer is required to retrieve relevant and accurate

data from the informants.

 Interviews can be structured or unstructured. As per the need of the

study personal interview, depth interview or telephone interview can be conducted
Structured

• : A set of questions or a questionnaire related to the topic of research study is

prepared by the researcher and questions have been asked according to that.

 It gives quantitative data and evaluates explicit data. This method is applicable to
validate information
Unstructured

• It is an interview in which the questions to be asked to the respondents are not

prepared in an advance.

• This method is unrehearsed and very casual.

 It depends on conversation which tends to focus respondents personal qualities

related to the work.

 Questions can be asked about skills, knowledge and strengths and should be
answered formally similar to structured interview.
Advantages of interviewing

• This method allows the researcher to gather information from illiterate humankind

• As interviewer collects data personally there are nil chances of non-response

• As interviewer tactfully collects the data by cross examining the responders hence
collected data is very reliable

• Allows researchers to receive immediate feedback

• Researchers can create a rapport and a comfortable environment for good

communication
Disadvantages

• It has chances of bias

• The informants may avoid answering few personal questions

• The process is time-consuming

• Requirements of money and manpower are very high

• Difficult to capture a diverse range of perspectives and experiences due to limited

sample size
Ways to improve accuracy
 The interviewer should be carefully selected.
 The interviewer and respondent must be attentive, and observant.
 They must possess the technical competence and necessary practical experience.
 Occasional field checks must be arranged to ensure that interviewers are not cheating or deviating
from instructions given to them.
 Interviewer should be able to answer legitimate question(s) if asked by the respondent and must
clear any doubt that arises
 . Efforts should be taken to create friendly atmosphere of trust and confidence, so that respondents
can feel ease while talking and discussing with interviewer.
 The interviewer must ask questions intelligently and properly and must record the complete
response.
 QUESTIONNAIRE
 A set of questions which has been prepared to ask and collect answers from respondents

related to the topic of research is a questionnaire.

 Individuals need to answer questions usually in printed or electronic form.

 To obtain statistically useful information about a given topic a series of questions have been asked
to individuals.

 The feedback forms often prepared with blank spaces where answers can be written.

 Sets of such forms relating to research topic have been distributed among groups and the answers
are collected. Sometimes it is helpful to provide an example of how to complete a question
 question must be simple and easily answered

 To improve the flow of the instrument, questions concerning major subject areas should
be grouped together and introduced by headings or short descriptive statements.

 To warm up the respondent to the process of answering questions, it is helpful to begin

with emotionally neutral questions such as name and contact information.

 More sensitive questions can then be placed in the middle, and questions about personal
characteristics such as income or sexual function are often placed at the end of the
questioner.

 For each question or set of questions, particularly if the format differs from that of other
questions on the instrument, instructions must indicate clearly how to respond.
 If the instructions include different time frames, it is sometimes useful to repeat the
time frame at the top of each new set of questions. For example, questions such as

 How often have you visited a doctor during the past year?

 During the past year, how many times have you been a patient in an emergency
department?

 How many times were you admitted to the hospital during the past year?

 can be shortened and tidied as follows:

 During the past year, how many times have you visited a doctor?

 been a patient in an emergency department?

 been admitted to a hospital?

 TYPES
Open-ended questions are particularly useful when it is important to hear what respondents have to
say in their own words. For example: What habits do you believe increase a person’s chance of having a
stroke?

Closed-ended questions are more common and form the basis for most standardized measures. These
questions ask respondents to choose from two or more pre selected answers:

Which of the following do you believe increases the chance of having a stroke?

Smoking

Stress

Drinking alcohol
 Mailed questionnaire

 The respondents who are located at a long distance or across borders and other

communication ways are difficult then mailed questionnaire is used for collection
of data.

 The required thing is that the researcher should have the postal addresses of the
respondents.

 The questionnaire can be posted or mailed to the respondents them, but in

every case it will return to the researcher via mail. At their own convenience
respondents can answer the questions.

 The detailed information can be collected for the research purpose as

respondents cannot be biased by the researchers
Advantages
• Large amounts of information can be collected from group of people in cost effective
way

• Can be carried out by the researcher or by any number of people with limited affect to
its validity and reliability

• Quick and easy quantification of the results can be done by either a researcher or
through the use of software

• Scientific and objective analysis can be done effectively compared to other forms of
research
Disadvantages
• The response rate is very less due to low literacy rate or lack of interest in the
research Topic Research Methodology

• It is criticized to be inadequate to recognize some forms of information that is

changes of emotions, behavior, feelings, and so on

• Gives only a limited amount of information without any explanation of it

• Truthfulness of a respondent is difficult to measure