Scribd
Upload
9 views20 pages

Data Collection Instruments Overview

The document outlines various data collection instruments used in social sciences, including document analysis, observation, questionnaires, and interviews. It details the stages of data collection, the advantages and limitations of each method, and provides guidelines for preparing and conducting interviews and questionnaires. The focus is on gathering data for analysis and understanding theoretical aspects of research subjects.

Translated by

ScribdTranslations
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
9 views20 pages

Data Collection Instruments Overview

The document outlines various data collection instruments used in social sciences, including document analysis, observation, questionnaires, and interviews. It details the stages of data collection, the advantages and limitations of each method, and provides guidelines for preparing and conducting interviews and questionnaires. The focus is on gathering data for analysis and understanding theoretical aspects of research subjects.

Translated by

ScribdTranslations
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Data collection instruments

They are instruments used in the areas of


social sciences, mainly, with the
purpose of gathering data and information for
analysis and explanation of theoretical aspects
studied
Data collection occurs after the delimitation of the
subject, the literature review, the definition of
objectives, the formulation of the problem and of
hypotheses.
After the data collection, the following steps are taken
tasks of analysis and discussion of the data and
conclusion of the final research report
Stages of data collection
Data collection involves several steps,
like: the population to be studied, the
development of collection instruments, the
programming (planning) of the collection and
also the type of data and collection.

The most common techniques are:


Document analysis
Observation
Interviews
Document analysis
It is a type of indirect observation, that is, it is not
carried out through people. The data is made
and analyzed from the reading and interpretation of
material provided
This is about the consultation of the documents,
records belonging to the research object, for
in order to collect useful information for the
understanding and analysis of the problem.
Documents that reflect must be researched.
the nature, the philosophy, the politics of the object of
study: regulations, statutes, organizational charts, PPP
Observation
Data collection technique that uses the
senses in obtaining a certain aspect
from reality, not consisting only of listening
to see, but also to examine the facts or
phenomena that one intends to study, allowing
perceive aspects that individuals do not have
consciousness, but that manifest
involuntarily
We have several types of observation, among them the
indirect and direct observation
Indirect Observation

•Indirect observation - the researcher does not


gets involved in the observation process,
analisando os fenômenos da forma em
that they occur
Direct Observation

•The direct observation that seeks to involve the


obtaining data directly from the source.

It can be systematized (planned,


controlled..) or unsystematic
(spontaneous, formal, free)
Direct Observation
•Can be a participant (the researcher
participate with the community or group,
incorporating itself to it or not
participant (also called)
passive, in which the observer takes
contact with the community, group or
reality studied, but without integrating
to them, witnessing the fact, but not
participating in the same.
Questionnaires
The questionnaire consists of a series
ordered questions that must be
answered in writing and without the presence
of the interviewer.

Care must be taken in the preparation of the


questions, so that there is no duplication
of interpretations.
Questionnaires
It must be forwarded along with the
questionnaires, an explanatory note of the
nature of the research, its importance and the
return date of the same.

They can consist of questions.


open (interpretative) and closed
(objectives)
Questionnaires
Advantages - saves time, achieves a
large number of people, there are more
security, less risk of distortion of
answers
•Limitations – small percentage of
return, questions coming unanswered,
lack of understanding from the informant leads to
an "apparent" uniformity
Preparation of questionnaires
The interviewer must have a good understanding of the subject.
to know how to divide it (list themes and remove
two or three questions on these themes
It must be limited in scope and purpose.
average 20 to 30 questions so as not to tire the
interviewee
The entity or organization must be informed.
of which the interviewer is a part
Preparation of questionnaires
It must be accompanied by defined instructions.
Aesthetic aspect – size, ease of
manipulation, enough space for responses,
arrangement of items
Pre-test - significance test of the responses,
with the application of exemplars to a small
chosen population, with characteristics
similar to your study target
Interviews
It is considered an instrument of
excellence of social research, because
establishes a face-to-face conversation,
methodically, providing to the
interviewed, verbally, the information
necessary.
Advantages - can be used in all
segments of the population, greater flexibility,
opportunity for data collection
relevant that are not found in sources
documentaries.

Limitations - difficulty in expression or


communication from both parties,
misunderstanding, by the informant, of the meaning
from the question, leading to a false interpretation,
possibility of the researcher to influence,
consciously or unconsciously, the interviewee occupies
a long time.
Stages of the interview
1-) Planning - raise the objective
Prior knowledge of the interviewee
3-)Interview opportunity - location and date
4-) Ensure the secrecy of your confidences and
identity
5-) Prior knowledge of the field
Specific preparation - organization of
script
Procedures for a good
interview
Initial account - explanation of purpose
of the interview, importance of collaboration
of the interviewee, confidential nature of the
information, let the interviewee stay at
desire to give meaning to your
answers
Development of standardized questions
non-standard nouns
Procedures for a good
interview
•Record of responses - noted in
moment of the interview, briefly
or with the interviewee's speech to greater
fidelity and truthfulness. Record only
if the interviewee allows.
End of the interview - thank and
show the importance of the interviewer
for the analysis of the problem, leave a
open channel for possible return
Standardized interview or
structured

The interviewer follows a script.


previously established: the questions
are predetermined (form); the
the researcher is not free to adapt their
questions
Unstandardized interview or
semi-structured

The interviewee has the freedom to


develop each situation in any
direction that is considered appropriate, what
allows to explore one more issue
Focus group interview
This interview is used with groups of
people belonging to the analysis environment.

Discussion groups are created (10 people) that


have common characteristics and know the
focus of the discussion, so that encouraged by
group moderator, talk about the object
of interest, exchanging experiences,
feelings values...

You might also like