DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
Information you gather can come from a range of sources. Likewise, there are a variety of techniques
to use when gathering primary data. Listed below are some of the most common data collection techniques
used for collecting data.
Data collection is the systematic approach to gathering and measuring information from a variety of
sources to get a complete and accurate picture of an area of interest. Data collection enables a person or
organization to answer relevant questions, evaluate outcomes and make predictions about future
probabilities and trends.
Interviews
Questionnaires and Surveys
Observations
Focus Groups
Ethnographies, Oral History, and Case Studies
Documents and Records
OVERVIEW OF DIFFERENT DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
Technique Key Facts Example
Interviews can be conducted in person or over the
telephone. One-on-one conversation with parent
Interviews can be done formally (structured), of at-risk youth who can help you.
Interviews semi-structured, or informally.
Questions should be focused, clear, and
encourage open-ended responses.
Interviews are mainly qualitative in nature.
Responses can be analyzed with quantitative
methods by assigning numerical values to Likert- Results of a satisfaction survey or
Questionnaires type scales. opinion survey.
and Surveys Results are generally easier (than qualitative
techniques) to analyze.
Pre-test/Post-test can be compared and analyzed.
Allows for the study of the dynamics of a
situation, frequency counts of target behaviors, or
other behaviors as indicated by needs of the
evaluation.
Site visits to an after-school program to
Good source for providing additional information
Observations about a particular group, can use video to provide
document the interaction between
youth and staff within the program.
documentation.
Can produce qualitative (e.g., narrative data) and
quantitative data (e.g., frequency counts, mean
length of interactions, and instructional time).
A facilitated group interview with individuals
that have something in common. A group of parents of teenagers in an
Gathers information about combined perspectives after-school program are invited to
Focus Groups and opinions. informally discuss programs that might
Responses are often coded into categories and benefit and help their children succeed.
analyzed thematically.
Involves studying a single phenomenon. Shadowing a family while recording
Examines people in their natural settings. extensive field notes to study the
Ethnographies,
Uses a combination of techniques such as experience and issues associated with
Oral History, youth who have a parent or guardian
observation, interviews, and surveys.
and Case Ethnography is a more holistic approach to that has been deployed.
Studies evaluation.
Researcher can become a confounding variable.
Consists of examining existing data in the form
To understand the primary reasons
of databases, meeting minutes, reports,
students miss school, records on
attendance logs, financial records, newsletters,
Documents and student absences are collected and
etc.
Records analyzed.
This can be an inexpensive way to gather
information, but may be an incomplete data
source.
