Data collection is defined as the
process of gathering and measuring
information on variables of interest, in
an established systematic fashion that
enables one to answer queries, stated
research questions, test hypotheses,
and evaluate outcomes.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DATA COLLECTION
1. Data empowers you to make informed
decisions.
2. Data helps you identify problems.
3. Data allows you to develop accurate
theories.
4. Data will back up your arguments
5. Data makes your approach strategic.
6. Data helps you get your hand-on
funding
7. Data tells you what you’re doing.
8. Data saves you time
9. Data increases your return on assets
10. Data improves quality of life
Quantitative data is usually expressed in
numerical form and can represent size, length,
duration, amount, price, and so on.
-likely to provide answers to questions such as
who? when? where? what?
Qualitative data is usually not easily
measurable as quantitative and can be gained
through observation or open-ended survey or
interview questions.
-is most likely to provide answers to questions
such as “why?”and “how?” How?
SAMPLING - selecting a suitable sample, or a
representative part of a population.
Probability Sampling - representative sample.
Techniques:
1. Simple random sampling
2. Systematic sampling
3. Stratified sampling
4. Clustered sampling
Non-Probability Sampling - Subjects chosen by
researcher. Hence, who will be selected cannot
be predicted
Techniques:
1. Convenience sampling
2. Quota sampling
3. Judgement (or Purposive) Sampling
4. Snowball sampling
POPULATION - This is a complete set of
elements (persons or objects).
Target Population - The target population, also
known as the theoretical population, refers to
the ENTIRE group of individuals.
Accessible Population - study population. In
which the researchers can apply their
conclusions.
- Subset of the target population
Sample size is the number of completed
responses your survey receives.
Calculation of Sample Size
Population size: The total number of people in
the group you are trying to study.
Margin of error: A percentage that tells you
how much you can expect your survey results to
reflect the views of the overall population.
Sampling confidence level: A percentage that
reveals how confident you can be that the
population would select an answer within a
certain range.
 Survey - A well-defined and well-
written set of questions to which an
individual is asked to respond.

• typically self-administered by an
individual,

• ability to get a large number of

responses quickly from a population

• “questionnaire,” which is the list

The z-score is the number of standard
deviations a given proportion is away from the
mean. To find the right z-score to use, refer to
the table below:
of questions, and the “survey,” which is
the complete methodological approach,
Benefits
- relatively low cost. Surveys can be
used for many different research goals.
-very useful for getting an overview, or
a “snapshot,” of a user population
- do not require advanced tools for
development
- most likely to get approval from
an institutional review board.

Drawbacks

•If you want a smaller margin of error, you must

have a larger sample size given the same
population.
• The higher the sampling confidence level you
want to have, the larger your sample size will
need to be.

Questionnaires - a research instrument

consisting of a series of questions

Types of Questionnaires

1. Web-based Questionnaire - A new and

inevitably growing methodology is the
use of internet-based research.
2. Paper-pencil Questionnaire - It can be
used to a large number of people that
enables the researcher to save time and
money.