DATA COLLECTION AND BASIC CONCEPTS IN SAMPLING DESIGN 8.​ Translate the questions if necessary.

8.​ Translate the questions if necessary. Secondly, there may have been bias introduced, the size of the sample may have been
9.​ Always test your questions before taking the survey. (Pre-test) Inadequate, or there may have been arithmetic or definition errors, hence, it is necessary to
INTRODUCTION critically investigate the validity of the secondary data.
Everybody collects, interprets and uses information, much of it in numerical or statistical An open-ended question is a type of question that does not include response categories.
forms in day-to-day life. It is a common practice that people receive large quantities of This type of question is usually appropriate for collecting subjective data.
information everyday through conversations, televisions, computers, the radios, newspapers,
posters, notices and instructions. It is just because there is so much information available A closed-ended question is a type of question that includes a list of response categories from
that people need to be able to absorb, select and reject it. In everyday life, in business and which the respondent will select his answer. This type of question is usually appropriate for
industry, certain statistical information is necessary, and it is independent to know where to collecting objective data.
find it and how to collect it.
Take Note!
THE DEFINITION OF DATA COLLECTION Question wording and question order have a large effect on the responses obtained.
Data Collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of
interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research Example:
questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes. Two surveys were taken in late 1993/early 1994 about Elvis Presley.

Without proper planning for data collection, a number of problems can occur. If the data One survey asked: "In the past few years, there have been a lot of rumors and
collection's steps and processes are not properly planned, the research project can stories about whether Elvis Presley is dead. How do you feel about this? Do you
ultimately end up with a data set that does not serve the purpose for which it was intended. think there is any possibility that these rumors are true and that Elvis Presley is
For example, if more than one person is involved in the data collection, but data collectors do still alive, or don't you think so?”
not follow consistent data collection practices, they can end up with data with different units,
collection processes, and variable names. Second survey asked: "A recent television show examined various theories about
Elvis Presley's death. Do you think it is possible that Elvis is alive or not?"
CONSEQUENCES FROM IMPROPERLY COLLECTED DATA
1.​ Inability to answer research questions accurately. 8% of the respondents to the first question said it is possible that Elvis is still alive
2.​ Inability to repeat and validate the study. and 16% of respondents to the second question said it is possible that Elvis is
3.​ Distorted findings resulting in wasted resources. still alive.
4.​ Misleading other researchers to pursue fruitless avenues of investigation.
5.​ Compromising decisions for public policy. 3. Focus Group is a group interview of approximately six to twelve people who share similar
6.​ Causing harm to human participants and animal subjects. characteristics or common interests. A facilitator guides the group based on a predetermined
set of topics.
STEPS IN DATA GATHERING
1.​ Set the objectives for collecting data 4. Experiment is a method of collecting data where there is direct human intervention on the
2.​ Determine the data needed based on the set objectives. conditions that may affect the values of the variable of interest.
3.​ Determine the method to be used in data gathering and define the
comprehensive data collection points. Bear in mind that the experimental method has several limitations that you should be aware
4.​ Design data gathering forms to be used. of.
5.​ Collect data. ●​ Ethical, Moral, and Legal Concerns
●​ Unrealistic Controlled Environments
SOURCES OF DATA ●​ Inability to Control for All Variables
Whether conducting research in the social sciences, humanities arts, or natural sciences, the
ability to distinguish between primary and secondary sources is essential. 5. Observation is a technique that involves systematically selecting, watching and recoding
behaviors of people or other phenomena and aspects of the setting in which they occur, for
Primary Sources the purpose of getting (gaining) specified information. It includes all methods from simple
Primary Sources provide a first-hand account of an event or time period and are considered visual observations to the use of high-level machines and measurements, sophisticated
to be authoritative. They represent original thinking, reports on discoveries or events, or they equipment or facilities.
can share new information. Often these sources are created at the time the events occurred
but they can also include sources that are created later. They are usually the first formal Secondary Sources
appearance of original research. Secondary Sources offer an analysis, interpretation or a restatement of primary sources and
are persuasive. They often involve generalization, synthesis, interpretation, commentary or
The firsthand information obtained by the investigator is more reliable and accurate since the evaluation to convince the reader of the creator's argument. They often attempt to describe
investigator can extract the correct information by removing doubts, if any, in the minds of the or explain primary sources.
respondents regarding certain questions. High response rates might be obtained since the
answers to various questions are obtained on the spot. It permits explanation of questions Secondary Sources of Data can be obtained using the following methods:
concerning difficult subject matter. 1.​ Published report on newspaper and periodicals.
2.​ Financial Data reported in annual reports.
Primary Sources of Data can be obtained using the following methods: 3.​ Records maintained by the institution.
4.​ Internal reports of the government departments.
1. Direct personal interviews – The researcher has direct contact with the interviewee. The 5.​ Information from official publications
researcher gathers information by asking questions to the interviewee.
Take Note!
2. Indirect/Questionnaire Method – These methods of data collection involve sourcing and Always investigate the validity and reliability of the data by examining the collection method
accessing existing data that were originally collected for the purpose of the study. employed by your source.

Key Design Principles of a Good Questionnaire Do not use inappropriate data for your research.
1.​ Keep the questionnaire as short as possible.
2.​ Decide on the type of questionnaire (Open Ended or Closed Ended) Secondary data are less expensive to collect both in money and time. These data can also
3.​ Write the questions properly. be better utilized and sometimes the quality of such data may be better because these might
4.​ Order the questions appropriately have been collected by persons who were specially trained for that purpose.
5.​ Avoid questions that prompt or motivate On the other hand, such data must be used with great care, because such data may also be
6.​ Write an introductory letter or an introduction. full of errors because the purpose of the collection of the data by the primary agency may
7.​ Write special instructions for interviewers or respondents. have been different from the purpose of the user of these secondary data.