OTHER METHODS OF DATA GATHERING

OBJECTIVES
 Enumerate other methods of gathering data
 Discuss different tools used in data gathering
 State the advantages and disadvantages of using a certain method
of data gathering
 Use audio and video conferencing tools

START

Dionelle practices everyday in preparation for her audition to a national singing

competition. To show their support, her friends made a promise to be by her side
throughout the competition. In the final stage of the competition, the audience will be
given hand-held devices to vote for who they think should win the competition. If
Dionelle reaches the final stage, she will be very happy to have her friends in the
audience.
 PRESENT

The use of hand-held devices is just one of the many methods that can be used to
gather data. Aside from the methods discussed in the previous lesson, there are other
means of data gathering that make use of technology.

AUDIENCE RESPONSE SYSTEM

Hand-held devices used to gather responses from a group joined together in one
location at the same time (such as audiences, participants, and class) and a software that
transmits responses to a receiver are part of an Audience Response System. Each
answer or choice done by clicking a button on the device is automatically transmitted to
a receiver attached to the computer. The process of data gathering using Audience
Response System has its advantages as well as disadvantages.
ADVANTAGES:

 It reduces or eliminates data entry.

 The data can be evaluated in less time.
 It can collect data from large groups of respondents at once.
DISADVANTAGES:

 It is limited to collecting quantitative data.

 The technology may be harder to understand for some respondents.
 It can be costly.

TEXT MESSAGING
Mobile phones linked to a computer or a Web-based interface can
be used as a data gathering tool. Some companies offering services use
text messaging to send survey questions to customers or clients to
evaluate the company’s services and the people involved in the
transaction. This method is easier to use nowadays since text messaging
is very common. Another advantage in using text messaging is that it
captures data in real time.
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES
Social media are forms of electronic communication through which people
create online groups to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other contents.
The creation and maintenance of personal and social contacts through social media is a
form of social networking. Social networking sites require users to create a profile and
input basic information such as gender, age, birthdate, location, and contact
information.
A user can connect his/her social media account to those of other individuals or
groups. After connections are established, users can exchange information, messages,
ideas, and digital contents. Some networking sites allow group discussions or forums
which can be used to gather data by targeting specific communities. Also, social
networking sites can involve people from remote locations in real time.

AUDIO/VIDEO CONFERENCING
Audio and video conferencing are a form of communicating using computers
that are connected to the internet. Audio conferencing software enables users to speak
to other users of the software free of charge. Video conference is a visual connection
between two users. FaceTime, Hangouts, and Skype are real-time communication tools
that can be a data gathering tool. Audio and video conferencing can be used as a
medium in conducting interviews and group meeting especially when the participants
are in different locations.
 SAVE

There are other means of data gathering that make use of technology.
1. Audience Response System – it uses hand-held devices to gather responses from a
group joined in one location at the same time.
Advantages:
 It reduces or eliminates data entry.
 The data can be evaluated in less time.
 It can collect data from large groups of respondents at once.

2. Text Messaging – mobile phones linked to a computer or a Web-based interface can

be used as a data gathering tool.
Advantages:
 This method is easier to use nowadays since text messaging is very common.
 It captures data in real time.

3. Social Networking Sites – social networking sites would require users to create a
profile and input basic information such as gender, age, birthdate, location, and
contact information. Data could be collected through these sites for trends and by
soliciting information from specific users.
Advantages:
 Some networking sites allow group discussions or forums which can be used to
gather data by targeting specific community.
 Social networking sites can involve people from remote locations in real time.

4. Audio/Video Conferencing – audio and video conferencing is a form of

communicating using computer that are connected to the internet.
Advantages:
 It can be downloaded for free and it is easy to use.
 It can be used as a medium in conducting interviews and group meetings especially
when the participants are in different locations.
 RETRIEVE

ACTIVITY 1

Complete each sentence by filling in the correct method of data gathering being
described.

1. is communicating via an internet using only a

microphone and speakers.

is a visual connection between two users that requires

2. a microphone, speakers, a Web camera and an internet
connection.

uses hand-held devices to gather responses from a

3.
group joined in one location at the same time.

allow group discussions or forums which can be used

4.
to gather data by targeting a specific community.

uses mobile phones as portable, real-time data

5. collection tools by sending messages such as survey
questions to participants.
 ACTIVITY 2

List down three advantages using the given method of data gathering.


TEXT

MESSAGING



AUDIO/VIDEO
CONFERENCIN 
G



USING SOCIAL
NETWORKING 
SITES

 ACTIVITY 3

Answer each given question in COMPLETE sentence/s.

1. Michael and his groupmates, who are all in Senior High School, will undergo a
work immersion as part of their class requirements. This aims to expose students
to an actual workplace setting by having a tour of the different departments of a
certain company. A day before the scheduled immersion, Michael was
hospitalized. How can his groupmates help Michael get involved in the project if
he needs to stay in the hospital for another 5 days?

2. Jessica needs to submit survey questions to her teacher over the weekend. She
already typed her questions and saved it as a Word file. Which web-based tool
can she use to submit her work to her teacher?

3. An ethics professor asked his students this question: “Are you supposed to
report cheating if you know about it?” No one raised a hand but within 1 minute,
the professor had about 100 student responses displayed on an overhead screen.
There were 85 students who said yes and 15 students who said no. Which do you
think is the data gathering tool used by the professor?