INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATION & IMMERSION

Data Collection Procedure

Data collection refers to the process of gathering information. In quantitative research, data
collection method relies on random sampling and data collection instruments that fit various
experiences into predetermined responses categories that produce results that are easy to
summarize, compare and generalize.
Sources of data

 Primary sources. Are known as raw data which can be collected from original source like
experimental test results, questionnaire survey, and observation.
 Secondary sources. Data that has already been collected by someone else such as books,
reports, journals, magazines, and others.
There are various methods in collecting data that will be discussed in this lesson, along with
its advantage and disadvantage.
1. Interview

This method of collecting data involves presentation of verbal reply from the respondents.
This is done by asking questions to the respondents verbally. This method assumes that the
participant’s point of view is more meaningful and their perspectives affect the success of the
project.
Here are the types of interviews that could be used by the researchers:

 Structured Interviews. The researcher asks a standard set of questions and nothing more.
The researcher follows a specific format with the same line of questioning. This is to ensure
that each interview is delivered in the same format and same order to every respondent. It
usually performs by well-experienced researchers.

Advantages: Disadvantage:
- The information at greater - Time consuming and
depth expensive

 Face-to-face interviews. This is the most frequently used in quantitative research method and it
can be done anywhere
Advantages: Disadvantages:
- Establish rapport between - Time consuming and expensive
researcher and participants - Impractical when large samples
- Chance to clarify ambiguous involved
questions to the respondents

 Telephone Interviews. It is used when the researchers have no time to meet the respondents
personally. However, the response rate of the respondents is not as high as the face-to-face
interview.

Advantage: Disadvantages:
- Less time consuming - Biased to those with telephone only
and less expensive - Little time given to the respondents
- Bias information may be
more

 Computer-Assisted Personal Interview. A form of personal interview where in the interviewer bring
along laptop and directly enter the information or response of the participant to the database.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
- Save researchers in bringing - Expensive to set up
hundreds of questionnaires - Required the interviewer to have
- Save time in processing data laptop

2. Questionnaire

Its main purpose is to extract data from the respondents. It serves a standard guide of the
researchers in asking information from the respondents. There are normally four sections in a
 questionnaire namely:
1. Respondents identification data. It includes the profile of the respondents.
2. Introduction. It may include the researcher’s request for help, and purpose of study.
3. Instruction. The respondent’s direction on how to move through the questionnaire.
4. Information. The series of questions and statements that seek response.

Here are the types of questionnaire that could be used by the researchers

 Paper-pencil questionnaire. This method is commonly used by the researchers. It can be sent to
large number of respondents and save researcher’s time and money.

Advantage: Disadvantage:
- Respondents are truthful to - Some of the respondents do not return
their response because their the questionnaire
responses are anonymous

 Web-page questionnaire. It is an internet based research where in the respondents will receive
an email which contain an address that would take them to a secure web-site to fill in the
questionnaire.
Advantage: Disadvantages:
- Much quicker than - Exclusion of people who do not have computer
pencil- paper method - Not sure of the accuracy of
respondent’s responses

 Self-administered questionnaire. Usually distributed through mail, filled out and administered by
respondents where they return this to the researchers via email. It can be used to elicit detailed
information from respondents who might not be accessible.

Questionnaires usually make use of checklist and rating scale to help researchers simplify
and quantify respondents’ behaviors and attitude.
3. Observations

This is way of collecting data by watching behavior, events or noting physical characteristics
in natural setting. This method is usually used in in the situation where the subjects are unwilling or
unable to provide the needed data through survey or interview. Observation can be as follows:
 Overt Observation. An observation where the respondents are aware that they are being
observed.
 Covert Observation. An observation where the respondents are unaware that they are being
observed.
 Direct Observation. The observation occurs during the interaction.
 Indirect Observation. The observation occurs on the result of the interaction.

Observation can make use of recording sheet and checklist which is the standardized way of
collecting data. Field notes are least standardized way of collecting observation data.

4. Tests

This method provides a way to assess subject’s knowledge and capacity to apply knowledge to
new situations. There are various forms of test depending on the needs of the researchers in their study.
 Norm-referenced test. Provides information on how the subject performs against a normative
group.
 Criterion-referenced test. Determine whether or not the subjects have attained mastery of the
skills.
 Proficiency test. Provides an assessment against level of skills attainment, but includes standards
for performance at varying levels of proficiency.