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Research-7
Quarter 3 – Week 3:
Learning Activity Sheets (LAS)

Collecting Data
Learning Competency

Collect qualitative and quantitative data (SSP_RS7-IPS-III-n17)

Specific Objectives
1. Describe the methods in collecting data.
2. Identify the methods of collecting data.
3. Collect data using the survey method.
4. Appreciate the importance of data in research studies

Key Concepts

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. Collection of data starts
determining what kind of data required, followed by the selection of a sample from a
certain population. And finally, used a certain instrument to collect the data from
the selected sample.

● TYPES OF DATA
 Quantitative Data
- It deals with numbers and things you can measure objectively:
dimensions such as height, width, and length, temperature and
humidity, prices, area, and volume.
- It uses different scales, which can be classified as nominal scale,
ordinal scale, interval scale and ratio scale.
- Aims to address the ‘what’ of the program and it uses a
systematic standardized approach and employ methods such as
surveys.

The Quantitative data collection methods rely on random sampling and

structured data collection instruments that fit diverse experiences into
predetermined response categories. They produce results that are easy to
summarize, compare, and generalize. If the intent is to generalize from the
research participants to a larger population, the researcher will employ
probability sampling to select participants.

 Qualitative Data
- Deals with characteristics and descriptors that cannot be easily
measured, but can be observed subjectively—such as smells,
tastes, textures, attractiveness, and color.
- It is mostly non-numerical and usually descriptive or nominal in
nature. This means the data collected are in the form of words
and sentences.

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 - Aims to address the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of a program and tend to use
unstructured methods of data collection to fully explore the
topic.

Qualitative data collection methods play an important role in impact

evaluation by providing information useful to understand the processes
behind observed results and assess changes in people’s perceptions of their
well-being. Furthermore, qualitative methods can be used to improve the
quality of survey-based quantitative evaluations by helping generate
evaluation hypothesis, strengthening the design of survey questionnaires and
expanding or clarifying quantitative evaluation findings.

● METHODS OF COLLECTING DATA

 Primary Data Collection
- Data that has been collected from firsthand experience. It has
not been published yet and is more reliable, authentic, and
objective. And it has not been changed or altered by human
beings; therefore, its validity is greater than secondary data.

Following are some of the sources of primary data.

A questionnaire is a research instrument
consisting of a series of questions and other
Questionnaire Method
prompts for the purpose of gathering information
from respondents.

Interviewing involves asking questions and

getting answers from participants in a study.
Interviewing has a variety of forms including
individual, face-to-face interviews and face-to-
Interviews Method
face group interviewing. The asking and
answering of questions can be mediated by the
telephone or other electronic devices (e.g.
computers).
A focus group discussion (FGD) is an in-depth
field method that brings together a small
homogeneous group (usually six to twelve
persons) to discuss topics on a study agenda.
The purpose of this discussion is to use the
Focus Group Discussion
social dynamics of the group, with the help of a
(FGD)
moderator/facilitator, to stimulate participants
to reveal underlying opinions, attitudes, and
reasons for their behavior. In short, a well
facilitated group can be helpful in finding out the
‘how’ and ‘why’ of human behavior.

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 A set of participatory and largely visual
Participatory Rural techniques for assessing group and community
Appraisal/ Assessment resources, identifying and prioritizing problems
(PRA) and appraising strategies for solving them.
A systematic but semi-structured activity out in
Rapid Rural Appraisal/ the field by a multidisciplinary team and is
Assessment (RRA) designed to obtain new information and to
formulate new hypothesis about rural life.
A data collection method, by which you gather
knowledge of the researched phenomena
Observational Method
through making observations of the phenomena,
as and when it occurs.
A research is often used to assess thoughts,
opinions, and feelings. Survey research can be
Survey Method
specific and limited, or it can have more global,
widespread goals.
A diary is a type of self-administered
Diaries Method questionnaire often used to record frequent or
contemporaneous events or experiences.

An in-depth investigation of a single person,

group, event, or community. Typically, data are
Case Study Method gathered from a variety of sources and by using
several different methods (e.g., observations &
interviews).

Principal component analysis (PCA) is a

Principal Component procedure for identifying a smaller number of
Analysis (PCA) uncorrelated variables, called ‘principal
components’, from a large set of data.

A technique whereby several successive

Activity sampling observations are made over a
period of one or a group of workers,
A tool of time and motion study that analyzes
Memo motion study
long operations by using a camera.
A step-by-step breakdown of the phases of a
process, used to convey the inputs, outputs, and
operations that take place during each phase. A
process analysis can be used to improve
Process analysis
understanding of how the process operates, and
to determine potential targets for process
improvement through removing waste and
increasing efficiency.

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 A basic set of tools used by industrial engineers
to increase operational efficiency through work
Time and Motion Study simplification and the setting of standards,
usually in combination with a wage-incentive
system designed to increase worker motivation.
A prime method of inquiry in science is the
experiment. The key features are control over
variables, careful measurement, and
Experimental Method
establishing cause and effect relationships. An
experiment is an investigation in which a
hypothesis is scientifically tested.
A method of collecting, summarizing, analyzing,
Statistical Methods
and interpreting variable(s) in numerical data.
A data analysis technique used in network
theory that is used to evaluate the relationships
or connections between network nodes. These
Link Analysis
relationships can be between various types of
objects (nodes), including people, organizations
and even transactions.

 Secondary Data Collection

- The data that is collected from the primary sources which can
be used in the current research study. Secondary data is often
readily available.

The following are some ways of collecting secondary data.

There are varieties of published printed sources. Their
credibility depends on many factors. For example, on
Published Printed the writer, publishing company and time and date
Sources when published. New sources are preferred, and old
sources should be avoided as new technology and
research bring new facts into light.
Books are available today on any topic that you want
to research. The use of books starts before even you
have selected the topic. After selection of topics books
Books provide insight on how much work has already been
done on the same topic and you can prepare your
literature review. Books are secondary source but
most authentic one in secondary sources.
Journals and periodicals are becoming more
important as far as data collection is concerned.
The reason is that journals provide up-to-date
Journals/periodicals information which at times books cannot and
secondly, journals can give information on the very
specific topic on which you are researching rather
talking about more general topics.

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 Magazines are also effective but not very reliable.
Newspapers on the other hand are more reliable and
Magazines/Newspap
in some cases the information can only be obtained
ers
from newspapers as in the case of some political
studies.
As internet is becoming more advance, fast and
reachable to the masses; it has been seen that much
information that is not available in printed form is
available on internet. In the past the credibility of
Published Electronic
internet was questionable but today it is not. The
Sources
reason is that in the past journals and books were
seldom published on internet but today almost every
journal and book is available online. Some are free and
for others you must pay the price.
Are more commonly available than printed journals.
Latest journals are difficult to retrieve without
e-journals: subscription but if your university has an e-library
you can view any journal, print it and those that are
not available you can make an order for them.
Generally, websites do not contain very reliable
General Websites information so their content should be checked for the
reliability before quoting from them.
Are also becoming common. They are diaries written
Weblogs by different people. These diaries are as reliable to use
as personal written diaries.
Some unpublished data may also be useful in some
cases.
Diaries: Diaries are personal records and are rarely
Unpublished available but if you are conducting a descriptive
Personal Records research then they might be very useful. The Anne
Frank’s diary is the most famous example of this. That
diary contained the most accurate records of Nazi
wars.
Letters like diaries are also a rich source but should
Letters
be checked for their reliability before using them.
Government records are very important for marketing,
Government
management, humanities, and social science
Records:
research.
Census
Data/population Health records; Educational institutes’ records etc.
statistics
Public Sector
NGOs’ survey data; Other private company’s records.
Records

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References

Kabir, S. M. S. Methods of Data Collection: Basic Guidelines for Research: An

Introductory Approach for All Disciplines. Edition: First, 201-275.

Websites

Aboutus. (n.d.).Retrieved from QuestionPRo.Inc (US):

https://www.questionpro.com/survey-templates/distance-learning-survey-
for-students/

wfss-blog-use. (2016, april 13). Retrieved from waterforsouthsudan.org:

https://www.waterforsouthsudan.org/wfss-blog-use/2016/4/13/the-
importance-of-sanitation-for-all-especially-children