Data collection method

1. DATACOLLECTION METHOD
2. INTRODUCTION: Data are the observation and measurable facts that provide information
about the phenomenon under study. A systematic collection and analysis of data are most
vital to any empirical research. It is most essential for a research to have appropriate methods
of data collection so that planned study variables can be adequately measured and accurate
conclusion can be drawn.
3. Data sources In research studies two types of data are collected; those are primary and
secondary data. Data are numerical facts/information. They are figures collected in a
systematic manner for a pre determined purpose. [Link] sources: Primary data are those
which are collected for the first time and are original in character. [Link] sources:
Secondary data are those which have already been collected by someone else and which have
through some statistical analysis
4. Data Sources Primary Secondary People Objects Programmes External Internal Biographs
Dairies, Letters. Unpublished Published Journals Magazines Thesis News Paper Dissert
Government Report Official Repot Census Report
5. Types of methods and tools of data collection. Types of methods/techniques Tools for data
collection [Link] Interview schedule opinionnaire. 2. QUESTIONING
Questionnarie opinionnaire. Attitude scale visual analogue scale 3. OBSERVATION Rating
scale, check list, anecdotes, videotapes/ films. [Link] In-vivo bio physiologic
measurements In-vitro bio physiologic measurements. 5. OTHERS Projective technique Q-
sorts, Vignettes
6. 1. Interview The interview is a process of communication or interaction in which the
subjects or interview gives the needed information verbally in a face to face situation.
Interviewing is a popular way of gathering information in qualitative a research. Interview
provides a wide range of data. Its provides information about person’s feeling, perception,
and opinions. Interview is used effectively to collect useful information about individual in
many research situations. Types: • Structured interview • Unstructured interview • Semi
structured • In-depth interview • Focused group interview
7. 1. Structured interview : in which interviewer has an interview scheduled in which
questions are listed in the order in which they are to be answered, it is also known as
standardized interviews. Same questions are put to all the respondents and in the same order,
not permitted to change wording of interview schedule. Ex: 2. Unstructured interview : Is
method wherein the questions can be changed to meet the respondent intelligence,
understanding, and beliefs. The interviewer encourages the respondent to talk freely about
given topic, no preplanned scheduled is used. It is not formalized and has open ended
questions, useful for gathering information on sensitive topics. Eg: like divorse , social
discrimination , drug addiction and etc 3. Semi structured interview: is a flexible method that
allows new questions to be brought up during the interview, depending upon the situation
during the interview. Interview Guide, Features Informal List Of Topics And Questions,
Different Method For Different Participants 4. In-depth group interview: It is aimed at
studying the respondents opinion and emotions on the basis of interview guide. This required
more training and interpersonal skills than structured interview.
8. 5. Focused group interview: Is an unstructured group interview technique where 8-12
members are brought together under the guidance of trained interviewer to focus on a specific
phenomenon. Its purpose is to gain insight from the appropriate sample or target population.
The researcher tries to focus his/her attention on a particular aspect of a problem. It is a
carefully planned discussion where the interviewer guides discussion according to written set
of questions or topics to be covered. Characteristics:  It consists of 8-12 members
homogeneous in term of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics.  Duration of
interview is 1.5-2 hours.  All information including facial expression and language is
recorded.  It has moderator to lead the discussion .  It free from inflexibility of formal
methods.
9. Steps For An Effective Interview Prepare interview schedule Select subjects/ key
Respondant Conduct the Interview Analyze and interpret data collected from the interview
10. Advantages: • Wide range of information is collected. • It stimulates new idea and
creative concepts. • Participants feel more comfortable • It involves many participants at one
time. Disadvantages: • It is an expensive Method • Interviewer bias • Respondent bias • Time
consuming
11. 2. Questionnaire. Questionnaire is most popular methods of conducting research. They
provide a convenient way of gathering information from target population. They are cost
effective and easy to construct and analyze. It is a planned self reported from designed to
elicit information though written or verbal responses of the subjects. KEY POINT: • Should
be short and simple • Follow a sequence of questions from easy to difficult one • Technical
terms should be avoided • Should provide adequate space for answers in questionnaire •
Directions regarding the filling of questionnaire should be given Physical Appearance –
Quality of paper, Color • Sequence must be clear
12. Types of questions Open format questions: are those questions that provide opportunity to
the respondents to express their opinions and answer in their own way. Example: state yours
opinion about the about the quality of health care services in Gujarat. Closed format
questions: these questions offer respondents a number of alternative replies from which the
subjects must choose the that most likely matches the appropriate answer. Subtypes of closed
format questions: a. Dichotmous : these requires the respondent to make a choice between
two responses, such as Yes/No or Male/Female. Example: Have you ever been hospitalized.
(a)Yes (b)No
13. b. Multiple choice questions: in this a respondents to make a choice between more than
two response alternatives. Example: which of the following disease is sexually transmitted?
a) DM b) HTN c)hypothyroidism d) syphilis c. Cafeteria questions: is special type of multiple
choice questions that task respondents to select a response that closely corresponds to there
views. Example : what do you think about hormone replacement? a)It is dangerous , should
be avoided. b)One should be cautious while using it. c)I am uncertain about my views. d)It is
beneficial, should be promoted
14. . d. Rank order questions: these questions ask respondents to rank their responses from
most favorable to least favorable. Example: what according to you is most important for your
life? [Link] b. education c. family. d. health. e. Contingency questions : a questions that is
asked further only if the respondent gives a particular responses to a previous questions.
Example: Q. Are you stressed? [Link] b. Yes. If yes, what are the reasons?. f. Rating questions:
These questions ask respondents to judge something along an ordered dimension. Respondent
is generally required to provide rating to a specific element on a scale selecting among the
points from poor to good. They may provide a number of choices. Example: how you rank
the primary education in India. 1 2 3 4 Good Fair Poor Very poor
15. g. Importance questions: in this, respondents are asked to rate the important of a particular
issues on a rating scale of 1-5. this helps to know the things/issues that are importance to a
respondent. Example: exercising every day is………. For the health. h. Likert questions:
Likert questions help to know how strongly he respondent agree with a particular statement.
These questions help to assess how respondent feels towards a certain issues/services.
Example: Is this community a good place to raise children? 1 2 3 4 5 Extremely important
Very important Somewhat important Not very important Not at all important 1 2 3 4 5
Strongly agree Agree uncertain Disagree Strongly agree
16. i. Bipolar questions: bipolar questions are questions that have two extreme answer.
Respondent has to mark his/her responses two opposite ends of the scale. Example: what is
your balance of preference her? I like going for walk ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) I like watching movie . j.
Matrix questions: matrix questions include multiple questions, and identical response
categories are assigned. Questions are placed one under another, forming a matrix. Response
categories are placed along the top and a list of questions down the side. Example: please let
us know your weekly schedule of the following. Weekly schedule Mon Tue Wed Thu Sat
Sun Gym Weight training Aerobics Diet Drink
17. Advantages : • Low cost –even when the universe is large and is widespread • Free from
interviewer bias • Respondents have adequate time to think through the answers. •
Respondents who are not easily approachable, can also be reached conveniently. • Large
samples can be used. Disadvantages: • Time consuming • The respondents need to be
educated and cooperative • This method is slow • Possibility of unclear replies
18. Likert scale Likert scale was named after a psychologist Rensis likert. Its also known as
Summated rating scale. Likert, is extremely popular for measuring attitudes, because, the
method is simple to administer. With the Likert scale, the respondents indicate their own
attitudes by checking how strongly they agree or disagree with carefully worded statements
that range from very positive to very negative towards the attitudinal • Respondents generally
choose from five alternatives (say strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree,
strongly disagree). Uses : • Basically it is used to measure the attitude values, and feelings of
the people about specific concepts such as people, places, objects, practices polices and so on.
• It have quantified measurement of the qualitative attributes of people.
20. Semantic Differential Scale This is a seven point rating scale with end points associated
with bipolar labels (such as good and bad, complex and simple) that have semantic meaning.
It can be used to find whether a respondent has a positive or negative attitude towards an
object. It has been widely used in comparing brands, products and company images. It has
also been used to develop advertising and promotion strategies and in a new product
development study.
21. • Example: HIV/AIDS CURE [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] DEATH NO
PUNICHEMENT [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6] PUNISHMENT NORMAL LIFE [1 ] [2 ] [ 3 ]
[ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 6 ] MISERABLE LIFE
22. Visual analogous scale: It is a widely used psychomotor responses scale, which is a
measurement instrument for subjective characteristics or attitudes that can not be directly
measured. This has 10cm lines and the ends mark semantic opposites. (ex alert-drowsy) Uses:
To measures • Level of pain, anxiety, mood. • Alertness, quality of sleep, severity of clinical
symptoms, and functional ability. • Drug effect, quality team work. • For example no pain
worst pain ever
23. 3. Observation Observation method is a method under which data from the field is
collected with the help of observation by the observer or by personally going to the field. Is
way gathering the data by watching behavior, events or noting physical characteristics in their
natural setting. In the words of [Link] “Observation may be defined as systematic
viewing, coupled with consideration of seen phenomenon.”
24. Uses : • To understand an ongoing process or situation • To gather data on individual
behavior or interaction between people. • To know about a physical setting. • Data collection
where other methods or not possible. Types of observation: Structured Observation: When
the observation is characterized by a careful definition of the units to be observed, the style of
recording the observed information, standardized conditions of observation and the selection
of related data of observation. Eg: assessing ward management. Unstructured Observation:
When it takes place without the above characteristics. Participant Observation: When the
observer is member of the group which he is observing then it is Participant Observation.
Non-Participant Observation: When observer is observing people without giving any
information to them then it is Non-Paricipant Observation.
25. Merits: • Collect data so as to when and where an activity or event is happening. • Does
not believe on people ability or willingness to give information. • Directly allows you to
notice what people do rather than checking wat people tell that they did. Demerits: • Observer
bias • Hawthrone effect • Time consuming
26. 3. BIOPHYSIOLOGIC METHODS Biophysiologic method involves the collection of
biophysiologic data from subjects by using the specialized equipment to determine biological
and physical status of subjects. Example blood pressure measurement by using special
equipment, such as sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. Purposes: • To study basic
physiologic process • To study physiologic outcome of nursing care • To evaluate nursing
intervention • To study correlation of physiologic functioning in patient with health problems.
27. Types of biophysiologic methods 1. In-vivo biophysiologic methods: performed directly
to measure processes occurring internally within living organisms through medical or
surgical instruments, Eg: TPR, BP Monitoring. Example: • blood pressure measurement by
using special equipment, such as sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. • Measuring cardiac
conduction using ECG machine. • Measuring temperature using thermometer. 2. in-vitro
biophysiologic method: physiologic processes are measured and analysis is done outside the
organism, eg blood test. radiologic, biochemical, cytologic, microbiological measurement.
28. Advantages biophysiologic methods : • Accurate and errorless • Objective in nature •
Valid measurement • Easily available instruments Disadvantages biophysiologic methods : •
Very expensive • Result may be affected by Environment. • Fear and anxiety • Health hazards
Others A. Projective technique: this involves a wide arrary of games and tasks in which
respondents need to participate during an interview or group is to extend, facilitate, or
enhance the discussion nature. Basically taken in a psychotherapeutic setting and loosely
based on differnent approaches, some are called projectives technique. Definition : these are
methods for measuring psychologic attributes(values, attitude, and personality) by providing
respondents with unstructured stimuli to which they respond.
METHODS • word association test. • Sentence completion test • Story completion test •
Thematic apperception test(TAT) • Horn picture arrangement test • Expresive technique.
Q-SORTS • Q-sorts are powerful tools in which the participants are presented with card
arrangement. In this technique, the participants are provided prewritten cards with words,
phrases, or statement, and are asked to arrange these cards in an order along with a specific
bipolar dimension. Q-sorts idea ito inquire into the subjectivity of human mind. Examples: to
analyse nurse –patient relationship in greater depth. • We can utilize the Q method to evaluate
whether attitudes or perception of nurses following implementation
Vignettes In order to explore peoples belief perception, and meaning about some particular
situations, vignettes act as a valuable and are especially helpful for important inquiry areas
that may not be promptly Accessible through any other means. Example: 1. It can be used in
exploring the ethical frameworks by mentioning the thinking of children regarding family
issues. 2. research into postdivorce family life uses vignettes as a beneficial method of
exploring moral codes of young people and their contigent status within various contexts.
33. Conclusion Primary data are original in character because the researcher himself collects
the data. Secondary data are not original. They collected by somebody else. The researcher
only makes use of them