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Questionnaire and Observation Methods

The document discusses two primary methods for data collection: questionnaires and observations. Questionnaires are effective for gathering large amounts of data but can suffer from issues like biased responses and incomplete submissions, while observations provide first-hand insights but can be time-consuming and may lead to inaccurate data due to the presence of the researcher. The analysis stage involves collecting and analyzing information to understand system data flow and requirements, using tools like flowcharts and data flow diagrams.

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18 views2 pages

Questionnaire and Observation Methods

The document discusses two primary methods for data collection: questionnaires and observations. Questionnaires are effective for gathering large amounts of data but can suffer from issues like biased responses and incomplete submissions, while observations provide first-hand insights but can be time-consuming and may lead to inaccurate data due to the presence of the researcher. The analysis stage involves collecting and analyzing information to understand system data flow and requirements, using tools like flowcharts and data flow diagrams.

Uploaded by

mieky7
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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i.

Questionnaire: A document with carefully crafted questions to be


answered by the respondent by filling on the spaces provided.
Questionnaires are used when collecting information from a widely spaced
population sample and when collecting information from many people. A
questionnaire contains open-ended and closed questions. Open-ended
questions are gap filling questions which require the respondent to
express his or her own view. Closed questions are guided questions where
the respondent just chooses Yes or No, True or False, or by just putting a
tick on given options. Questionnaires can be distributed personally or by
post. Advantages of questionnaires  Effective when collecting a lot of
data  Questions are very simple to answer.  It saves time as
questionnaires can be distributes and then collected later.  Respondents
can fill questionnaires at their own pace.  Give guarantees confidential of
information, thereby encouraging respondents to give accurate
information.  They are cheap to use as travel expense can be low
Disadvantages of questionnaires  Questions must be well thought out
and precise.  Some questions are left blank.  Some questionnaires may
not be returned. Biased information can be collected.  Respondents
usually do not fill the correct information.  It is difficult to analyse
information collect using questionnaires.  They are expensive to use if
the postal system is used.  Abusive information can be filled by
respondents. iv. Observations: It is a fact finding method that involves
viewing the actual system in operation by the researcher. The researcher
can even take part in operating the system. It is used when the researcher
wants to see for himself how the system operates. Advantages of
observations  First-hand information is collected.  May identify problems
that the users did not see  Accurate information can be obtained.  More
reliable information is obtained.  Only areas of interest can be observed.
 The researcher can take part in operating the system thereby getting
insight on how the system operates. Disadvantages of observations 
People work differently if they feel that they are being observed, therefore
inaccurate information can be collected.  The researcher may not
understand some of the activities being observed.  It is time consuming
to collect the required information.  The researcher may interrupt some
of the activities being done.  More expensive than other methods Page 4
of 179 Compiled By Kapondeni T. ‘A’ Level Computing Notes 3. The
analysis stage: This is the in-depth study of the system to determine how
data flows within the system. It basically involves the following activities:
(a) Information Collection (Using interviews, questionnaires, ..) (b) Analysis
of information collected (using DFDs, flowcharts, . .) -produces clear view
of the system (c) Requirements specification  List of user requirements 
Hardware and software requirements (d) Consideration of alternative
solutions  Match alternative solutions with requirement specification 
Justify one solution against others - - - - flowcharts, data flow diagrams 
concentrates on documenting how data flows in a system, structure
diagrams data dictionary  it is a table that stores data about data
(metadata), ie. Stores details of data used,

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