Data Collection Methods
What is data collection?
Data collection is the systematic collection of observations
Before, we should consider:
- aim of the research
- type of data needed
- methods and procedures to be used
- measurements
Data is the name for information recorded for statstical purposes used as basis for reasoning, discussion and calculation
Types of data
- Categorical data
- No order
- No numerical value
- No units
- No arithmetic operations
Categories of Data
- First-hand data
- Original data
- Collected by the researcher
- Expensive and time-consuming
- Accurate and reliable
Data Collection Tools
Interviews
- Face-to-face or telephone
- Structured or unstructured
- Open or closed questions
- Time-consuming and expensive
- Detailed and in-depth information
Types of interviews
- Questions are in fixed order
- Quantitative Data
- Closed questions
Questionnaires
- Series of questions and other prompts to gather information from respondents
Types of questions
- Limited number of answers
- Quantitative Data
- Easy to analyse
Are you satisfied ?
- Yes
- No
Administration of questionnaires
- Administered electronically (email or website)
- Less expensive
- Less time-consuming
- Easy to share worldwide
Advantages
- Inexpensive
- Time-saving
- Easy to analyse
- Quantitative and qualitative data
- Easy to customize Data collection is the systematic collection of observations
Limitations
- Low response rate
- No control over the quality of the answers
- Relies on respondents for accuracy and honesty
- No adapt to changes
Experiments
- Controlled and manipulated conditions
- Cause and effect relationship
- Independent and dependent variables
Observational study
- Observation of natural behaviour
- No manipulation or interference of variables
- No control or treatment groups
Step-by-step questionnaire guide
Step 1: Define your goals and objectives
- What topics or experiences are you studying?
- What specifically do you want to find out?
- Is self-report questionnaire approriate?
Step 2: Use suitable questions for sample
- Create appropriate questions
- Consider language, availability and energy of respondents
- Do closed-ended questions capture all possible answers?
- Do open-ended questions provide enough information?
- Do respondents have time to answer all questions?
Step 3: Decide on the length and question order
- Choose approriate length and order of questions
- Short and easy to answer
- Order should be based on aims and resources
Step 4: Pre-test your questionnaire
- Make sure questions are clear and easy to understand
- Pretesting helps catch errors or points of confusion
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