Data Collection

Objectives

1. At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

2. Define data collection.
3. Differentiate between primary source and secondary source of data.
4. Distinguish between internal and external sources of data
5. Describe the various methods of data collection ( interview,
questionnaire, etc,)
CONCEPT OF DATA COLLECTION
• Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information
on variables of interest that enables one to answer stated research
questions.
• Data collection is a systematic gathering of data for a particular
purpose from various sources, including, interviews, observation,
existing records, and electronic devices.
• Data collection differs by research purpose or discipline, however, the
emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the
same.
CONCEPT OF DATA COLLECTION
• Statistics is a tool for converting data into information:
• But where then does data come from?
• How is it gathered?
• How do we ensure its accurate?
• Is the data reliable?
• Is it representative of the population from which it was
• drawn?
Methods of Collecting Data. .
• There are many methods used to collect or obtain data for
• statistical analysis. Three of the most popular methods
• are:
• • Direct Observation
• • Experiments, and
• • Surveys.
TYPES OF DATA
• Data are organized into two broad categories: qualitative and
quantitative.
• Qualitative Data: Qualitative data are mostly non-numerical and
usually descriptive or nominal in nature.
• Data collected are in the form of words and sentences and captures
• such data as feelings, emotions, or subjective perceptions of
something. Qualitative methods include focus groups, group
discussions and interviews.
• Qualitative methods include focus groups, group discussions and
interviews
TYPES OF DATA
• Quantitative data is numerical in nature and can be mathematically
computed.
• Quantitative data measure uses different scales, which can be
classified as nominal scale, ordinal scale, interval scale and ratio scale.
• They use a systematic standardized approach and employ methods
such as surveys and ask questions
Sources of secondary data

• Internal sources -data that exists and is stored inside an

organization.

• Obtained from the internal reports of an organization

• External sources- collected by other people or organizations

from the organization's external environment

• - or information collected outside agencies.

Plan for data collection

• Clear overview of tasks to be carried out

• Who performs them

• the duration of these tasks

• Efficiently organize both human and material resources

• Plan to minimize errors and delays

Methods of Collecting Primary Data

• Observation Method

• Interview Method

• Questionnaires

• Web based enquiry

• Registration
Observation Method
• A systematic process of recording the behavioral patterns of people,
objects, and occurrences as they are witnessed.

• Systematically planned and recorded and is subjected to checks and

controls on validity and reliability.

• No questioning or communicating

• Advantages
• subjective bias is eliminated
• independent of respondents’ willingness to respond
Categories of observation

Naturalistic Observation (non-participant observation)

Observation of behavior in a natural setting

No attempt to intervene ( no manipulation or control)

Aims at getting a spontaneous picture of life and persons

Categories of observation
Mechanical Observation (participant observation or
structured observation)
Definite pre-arranged plans for observing
Careful definition of the units to be observed,
Style of recording the observed information,
Standardized conditions of observation and the selection of pertinent
data of observation.
It uses mechanical instruments such as video cameras, traffic counters
and several other types of gadgets in order to record behaviour
Interview Method
• Presentation of direct questioning, using a
questionnaire on the source person (household,
factory, shop or other sources) and records the
answers.
• It can be personal interviews or telephone interviews.
• This method is for respondents who are unable to read
or write or who may have difficulty formulating
responses in the required form.
 Interview Style

• 1. Structured - Follows a set of predetermined questions and of highly

standardized techniques of recording.
• Characteristics ;
• The interviewer asks each respondent the same series of questions.
• The questions are created prior to the interview, and often have a
limited set of response categories.
• There is generally little room for variation in responses and there are
few open-ended questions included in the interview guide.
•.
 Interview Style - Semi-structured

• 2. Semi-structured - interviewer will not strictly follow a formalized

list of questions, allows for more discussion than a straightforward
question-and-answer format.
• Characteristics
• The interviewer and respondents engage in a formal interview.
• The interviewer develops and uses an ‘interview guide’.
• This is a list of questions and topics that need to be covered during
the conversation, usually in a particular order, more open-ended
questions
• . Allows a certain degree of flexibility
 Interview Style - Unstructured

• 3. Unstructured - interview does not follow a system of pre-determined

questions and standardized techniques of recording information.
• He may even change the sequence of questions.
• Characteristics
• The interviewer and respondents engage in a formal interview.
The interviewer has a clear plan in mind regarding the focus and goal of the
interview. This guides the discussion.
• The interviewer builds rapport with respondents, getting respondents to
open-up and express themselves in their own way.
• Questions tend to be open-ended and express little control over
informants’ responses.
•
Personal interviews
• It is a form of direct personal investigation or it may be indirect
oral investigation
• The interviewer collects the information personally from the
sources concerned
• Interviewers should be carefully selected, trained and briefed.
• They should be honest, sincere, hardworking, impartial and
must possess the technical competence and necessary practical
experience.
• Effort should be made to create friendly atmosphere of trust
and confidence
Telephone Interviews:
• It consists in contacting respondents on telephone
• It is not a very widely used method.
• Plays an important part in industrial surveys, particularly
in developed regions.

• Advantages:
• 1. It is more flexible in comparison to mailing method.
• 2. It is faster than other methods i.e., a quick way of
obtaining information.
• Cost per response is relatively low.
Telephone Interviews:
• Disadvantages
• 1. Little time is given to respondents for considered
answers;
• 2. Surveys are restricted to respondents who have
telephone facilities.
• 3. It is not suitable for intensive surveys where
comprehensive answers are required to various
questions.
• 4. Questions have to be short and to the point; probes are
difficult to handle.
Group/Focus Group Interview

• Free-flow interviews with small groups of people and a moderator

• Moderator introduces a topic for discussion.

• Atmosphere should be relaxed

• Efficient since responses from several subjects can be gotten

simultaneously

• It focuses on specific issue

Advantages of focus group interviews
• Relatively fast
• Easy to execute
• Inexpensive
• Numerous topics can be discussed
• Multiple insights can be gained

• Disadvantages
• Require sensitive and effective moderators
• Without such, self-appointed participants may dominate a session
• Participants may not be representative of the population of interest
Questionnaire Method

• Questionnaires are sent by hand or by post to respondents

• The respondents have to answer the questions on their own
and return the questionnaire.
• Used particularly in case of big enquiries.

• Advantages and Disadvantages???

Experiments
• Experiments require an artificial or natural setting in which to
perform logical study to collect data.
• Experiments are more suitable for medicine, psychological studies,
nutrition and for other scientific studies.
• In experiments the experimenter has to keep control over the
influence of any extraneous variable on the results.
Assignment on sampling
• Explain Sampling
• Differentiate between probability and non-probability sampling
techniques.
• State and explain the various forms of sampling under probability
sampling.
• State and explain the various forms of sampling under non-probability
sampling.
• Write down the advantages and disadvantages of each of the forms
listed above.