DATA COLLECTION
• Data refers to unprocessed pieces of
information
• Data is collected so that once analyzed, it
will be able to answer research
questions/research objectives
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Primary Source Secondary Source
•Data is collected by •Data collected,
researcher himself compiled or
written by other
•Data is gathered researchers eg. books,
through questionnaire,
interviews, focus group discussion journals, newspapers
observations . •Any reference must
be acknowledged
STEPS TO COLLECT DATA
REVIEW
REVIEW&&COMPILE
COMPILESECONDARY
SECONDARYSOURCE
SOURCEINFORMATION
INFORMATION
PLAN
PLAN&&DESIGN
DESIGNDATA
DATACOLLECTION
COLLECTIONINSTRUMENTS
INSTRUMENTS
TO
TOGATHER
GATHERPRIMARY
PRIMARYINFORMATION
INFORMATION
DATA
DATACOLLECTION
COLLECTION
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
METHODS USED
TO COLLECT
PRIMARY SOURCE DATA
1. Interviews-One on One, Focus group, structured or unstructured
2. Questionnaires-self administered, telephone, mailing
3. Experimentation
[Link]
However, for a small-scale study, the most commonly used
methods are interviews, survey questionnaires and observations.
Effective way Involves verbal
of gathering and non-verbal
information communications
INTERVIEW
Can be conducted
face to face, by telephone,
online or through mail
Steps To An Effective Interview
Prepare your interview schedule
Select your subjects/ key informants
Conduct the interview
Analyze and interpret data collected from the interview
The most common Useful to collect
data collection instrument quantitative and qualitative
information
Survey
Questionnaire
Should contain 3 elements:
1. Introduction – to explain the objectives
2. Instructions – must be clear, simple language & short
3. User-friendly – avoid difficult or ambiguous questions
Questionnaire development
More on Surveys
Telephone Mailed Questionnaire Personal Interviews
Less costly than personal Cover a wider geographic Provides in-depth
interviews area than telephone or pi responses
Subjects are more candid Less expensive than Interviewers must be
than if face to face telephone or pi trained
Challenge---some subjects Subjects remain Most costly of three
do not have phone, will not anonymous
answer when called, or
hang up (refusal to
participate)
Tone of voice of Challenge –low number of Interviewer may be biased
interviewer may influence subjects’ respond, in his/her selection of
subjects’ responses inappropriate answers to subjects
questions, subjects have
difficulty
reading/understanding the
questions
Steps To An Effective Survey Questionnaire
Prepare your survey questions
(Formulate & choose types of questions, order them, write instructions, make copies)
Select your respondents/sampling
Random/Selected
Administer the survey questionnaire
(date, venue, time )
Tabulate data collected
(Statistical analysis-frequency/mean/correlation/% )
Analyze and interpret data collected
Observe verbal &
non-verbal communication, Need to keep
surrounding atmosphere, meticulous records of
culture & situation the observations
Observations
Can be done through discussions,
observations of habits, rituals,
review of documentation,
Experiments-overt or covert
Steps To An Effective Observation
Determine what needs to be observed
(Plan, prepare checklist, how to record data)
Select your participants
Random/Selected
Conduct the observation
(venue, duration, recording materials, take photographs )
Compile data collected
Analyze and interpret data collected
Types of Experiments
• Experimental Studies
– The researcher manipulates one of the variables and
tries to determine how the manipulation influences
other variables
– Interaction with subject occurs, usually
– Modifications on subject occurs
– May occur in unnatural settings (labs or classrooms)
– Example:
• Clinical trials of new medications ,treatments, etc.