DATA

COLLECTION
METHODS

Eunese P. Loyola
Data Collection
• Data are various kinds of information formatted in a particular way
• 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 questions, test, hypotheses,
and evaluate outcomes.
Data Collection

• is to capture quality evidence that then translates to rich data

analysis and
• allows the building of a convincing and credible answer to
questions that have been posed.
• accurate data collection is essential to maintaining the
integrity of research
Steps to a successful data collection

• determining what kind of data required

• selection of a sample from a certain population
• use a certain instrument to collect the data
from the selected sample
Types of Data
QUALITATIVE DATA
• mostly non-numerical and usually descriptive or nominal in nature
• in the form of words and sentences
• captures feelings, emotions, or subjective perceptions of something
• aim to address the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of a program
• expensive and time consuming to implement
Types of Data
QUANTITATIVE DATA
• is numerical in nature and can be mathematically computed
• address the ‘what’ of the program
• use a systematic standardized approach and employ methods such as surveys and ask
questions
• cheaper to implement, are standardized so comparisons can be easily made, and the size
of the effect can usually be measured
• limited in their capacity for the investigation and explanation of similarities and
unexpected differences
• Produce results that are easy to summarize, compare, and generalize
Types of Data
MIXED METHODS
• combining both qualitative and quantitative research data,
techniques and methods within a single research framework
• encompass multifaceted approaches that combine to
capitalize on strengths and reduce weaknesses that stem
from using a single research design
• assist to increase the validity and reliability of the research
Data Classification
PRIMARY DATA
• collected from first-hand-experience
• Has not been published yet and is more reliable, authentic
and objective
• has not been changed or altered by human beings; therefore
its validity is greater than secondary data
Data Classification
PRIMARY DATA

• Sources
• Experiments
• Survey
• Questionnaire
• Interview
• Observations
Data Classification
SECONDARY DATA
• Data collected from a source that has already been published in any form
• When primary data is difficult to obtain, does no exist, is present but the respondents
are not willing to reveal, secondary data can suffice.
• Much of the background work needed has already been carried out
• Can provide a baseline with which the collected primary data results can be
compared to
• Sources of Secondary Data:
• Books, Records, Biographies, Newspapers, Published censuses or other statistical data, Data archives,
Internet articles, Research articles by other researchers (journals), Databases, etc
Norms in Research
Ethical Principles
Honesty Confidentiality Competence
Objectivity Responsible Publication Legality
Integrity Responsible Mentoring Animal Care
Carefulness Respect for Colleagues Human Subjects Protection
Openness Social Responsibility
Respect for Intellectual Non-Discrimination
Property
Questionnaire Method
• a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other
prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents
• invented by Sir Francis Galton (1822 – 1911)
• cheap, do not require as much effort from the questioner as verbal or
telephone surveys
• often have standardized answers that make it simple to compile data
Questionnaire Method
Question Types
Open-ended Questions Closed-ended Questions
asks the respondent to formulate his/her own has the respondent pick an answer from a given
answer number of options
coded into a response scale afterwards response options
should be exhaustive and mutually exclusive
question is a question where the testee has to Dichotomous, where the respondent has two
complete a sentence options.
(sentence completion item)
Nominal-polytomous, where the respondent has
more than two unordered options.
Ordinal-polytomous, where the respondent has
more than two ordered options.
Continuous (Bounded), where the respondent is
presented with a continuous scale
Questionnaire Method
Question Sequence
• Screens
• Warm-ups
• Transitions
• Skips
• Difficult
• Changing Formula
Questionnaire Method
Basic Rules for Questionnaire Item Construction
• Use statements which are interpreted in the same way by members of different subpopulations of the population of interest.
• Use statements where persons that have different opinions or traits will give different answers.
• Think of having an ‘open’ answer category after a list of possible answers.
• Use only one aspect of the construct you are interested in per item
• Use positive statements and avoid negatives or double negatives.
• Do not make assumptions about the respondent.
• Use clear and comprehensible wording, easily understandable for all educational levels.
• Use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Avoid items that contain more than one question per item (e.g. Do you like strawberries and potatoes?).
• Question should not be biased or even leading the participant towards an answer
Questionnaire Method
Administration Modes
• Face-to-face questionnaire administration
• Paper-and-pencil questionnaire administration
• Computerized questionnaire administration
• Adaptive computerized questionnaire administration
Questionnaire Method
Concerns with Questionnaires
• Sensitive questions should be put at the end of the survey
• Routine questions should also be put at the end of the
questionnaire
• Double-barreled questions, which ask two questions in one,
should never be used in a survey.
• avoid using emotionally loaded or biased words and phrases
Questionnaire Method
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of Questionnaires
Large amounts of information can be collected from a large
number of people in a short period of time and in a relatively
cost effective way
Can be carried out by the researcher or by any number of
people with limited affect to its validity and reliability
The results of the questionnaires can usually be quickly and
easily quantified by either a researcher or through the use of
a software package
Can be analyzed more scientifically and objectively than other
forms of research
When data has been quantified, it can be used to compare
and contrast other research and may be used to measure
change
Positivists believe that quantitative data can be used to create
new theories and / or test existing hypotheses
Disadvantages of Questionnaires
To be inadequate to understand some forms of information -
i.e. changes of emotions, behavior, feelings etc
Phenomenologists state that quantitative research is simply
an artificial creation by the researcher, as it is asking only a
limited amount of information without explanation
There is no way to tell how truthful a respondent is being
There is no way of telling how much thought a respondent
has put in
The respondent may be forgetful or not thinking within the
full context of the situation
People may read differently into each question and therefore
reply based on their own interpretation of the question
Interview
• asking questions and getting answers from participants in a
study
• individual or group interviewing
• formal or informal
• face-to-face, through remote media
• structured, semi-structured and unstructured
Interview Method
Structured Semi-structured Unstructured Informal
Characteristics based around a core also contain a core set The interviewer and The interviewer talks
of the set of questions that of questions, but allow respondents have a with people in the field
Structured are always asked in the the interviewer to ask scheduled time and informally, without use
Interview same order supplementary both parties recognize of a structured
questions, or change this to be an interview interview
the order in which but there is not a guide of any kind
questions are asked. structured interview
guide
When to Use Researcher has a clear Semi-structured Researcher has May be best used in
topical focus and well- interviews are often developed enough of the early stages of the
developed preceded by an understanding of a development of an
understanding of the observation, informal setting and his/her area of inquiry, where
topic at hand and topic of interest to have there is little literature
unstructured a clear agenda for the describing the setting,
interviewing discussion with the experience, culture or
For the researcher to informant, but still issue of interest, or to
develop a keen remains open to uncover new topics of
understanding of the having his/her interest that may have
topic of interest, understanding of the been overlooked by
area of inquiry open to previous research.
revision by
respondents