5.

Data collection
• Questionnaire design process;
• Paper-based vs. tablet-based data collection

MD Khurshidul Zahid PhD

Associate Professor
Institute of Nutrition and Food Science(INFS)
University of Dhaka
 Syllabus

1. Research
2. Research process
3. Research methods
4. Sampling methods and sample size calculation.
5. Data collection
6. Systematic review and meta-analysis
7. Survey research
8. Qualitative research
9. Implementation research (I.R.)
10. Writing research/grant proposals and
11. Writing and Publishing MKZ (1,2,3,5,6,7)/ATR (4,10,11)/MRA (8,9)
 Data
• Data is a set of values of subjects with respect
to qualitative or quantitative variables.
• Data is measured, collected and reported, and analyzed, whereupon it can
be visualized using graphs, images or other analysis tools.
• Data as a general concept refers to the fact that some existing information
or knowledge is represented or coded in some form suitable for better
usage or processing.
 Data Types
• Discrete (or Categorical)
• Nominal
• Ordinal

• Continuous
• Interval
• Ratio
A quality characteristic (or attribute)
What is attribute data? - Minitab

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Coe0N2xb8kk/maxresdefault.jpg
 Data Types
• Discrete (or Categorical): Finite number of possible values (classes or
levels)

• Nominal: Classes don’t have a natural order or rank

• Ex: Sex, State of residence, ZIP code

• Ordinal: Classes have a natural order or rank

• Ex: Classification of patients by disease severity, Class grade, Likert scales
 Data Types
• Continuous: May assume any value on a continuous scale
• Interval: Scale defined in terms of differences between observations;
zero is arbitrary

• Ex: Temp OF, IQ measurements, GPA

• Ratio: Scale differences represent real relationships in what’s being measured;
zero represents the absence of the attribute being measured

• Ex: Temp OK, Height or Serum cholesterol

 Data
• Primary and Secondary-Based on sources
• Qualitative and Quantitative-Based on types
• Processed and Raw-Based on the state of data collected
 Primary
• Primary data collection happens when researchers obtain information
directly from the original sources.
• For example, if you were researching to find the best material for your
product, you may interview experts to gather primary research data to help
inform the development of your product.

6 Methods of Data Collection (With Types and Examples) | Indeed.com

 Primary data collection
• Primary data, also known as raw data, is the data you collect yourself and are
the first person to interpret.
• It’s data that’s gotten directly from the source.
• That could be in-person interviews, surveys sent out to your audience, or
even courses.
• Put another way, you’re the first person or group to interact with and draw
conclusions from the data.

7 Data Collection Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Data - KyLeads

 Secondary
• Secondary data collection refers to information gathered from previous research.
• The previous research might come from researchers who originally conducted the studies for another project and
then made their findings public, or organizations who have published the research for awareness, like government
organizations or nonprofits. This data is usually already analyzed and put into context.
• Sources of secondary data can include:
• Books
• Scholarly journals and papers
• Newspapers
• Websites
• Podcasts

Both primary and secondary data can be broken down into subcategories referred to as qualitative and
quantitative data.
7 Data Collection Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Data - KyLeads

6 Methods of Data Collection (With Types and Examples) | Indeed.com

 Secondary data collection
• Secondary data refers to information you use which has been collected, analyzed,
and structured by another person or group.
• Things like research papers, books, other websites, etc. can be considered primary
data that, when used by you, are secondary data.
• This type of data is much easier to collect and use but it may not be as applicable to
your situation. For example, HubSpot does a survey of marketers every year and
publishes its findings in a report called The State of Inbound. The data is high
quality but may not be as useful to your specific situation even if you serve
marketers.

7 Data Collection Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Data - KyLeads

 Qualitative

• Qualitative data collection refers to non-numerical research that gathers information on

concepts, thoughts or experiences.
• Typically, qualitative results are useful for experience-based topics, like disc golf player
needs. Qualitative research is common in humanities research and may use more personal
methods of data collection.
• Some examples of qualitative data collection and research include:
• Observations
• Surveys
• Focus groups
• Interviews

6 Methods of Data Collection (With Types and Examples) | Indeed.com

 Qualitative data collection
• Qualitative data is information that’s descriptive in nature.
• It’s used to understand and characterize a problem, sentiment, or an
individual/group.
• It can be recorded and measured but cannot be quantified using numbers.
• For example, you can record that someone is unhappy and measure the level of
unhappiness using descriptive words but it can’t be quantified. This kind of primary
data is gathered using interviews, open-ended survey questions, etc. and can be used
to answer the question “why?” Secondary data can be gathered from firsthand
accounts such as a journal.

7 Data Collection Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Data - KyLeads

 Quantitative data collection
• Quantitative data is information gathered in numerical form and, as a result, can be easily ordered
and ranked.
• This data is necessary for calculations and further statistical analysis. Just like with qualitative data,
the information derived here can be used to make decisions in a personal or business setting.
• Quantitative data is easier to handle and measure because it’s not open to different
interpretations. For example, if you ask someone how many times they’ve gone to the gym this
week, there’s a simple numerical answer. If you asked someone why they went to the gym, their
answer can be interpreted in different ways depending on who’s analyzing it.
• Primary quantitative data is gathered using close ended survey questions and rigid one-on-one
interviews. Secondary data can be gathered through published research and official statistics.
Quantitative data answers the questions “how much” “how often” and “how many.”

7 Data Collection Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Data - KyLeads

 Quantitative
• Quantitative data collection is the opposite of qualitative and instead collects
numerical or statistical information. For example, your results might be a number of
something, a percentage or an amount of time.
• Quantitative data can be useful for measuring demographics for marketing or
comparing key statistics in board reports.
• Quantitative research is typically common in financial or scientific areas of study.
• Some examples of quantitative data collection and research include observations
and surveys.

6 Methods of Data Collection (With Types and Examples) | Indeed.com

 Data
Raw data/Unprocessed data:
• It is a collection of numbers or characters before it has been "cleaned"
and corrected by researchers.
• Raw data needs to be corrected to remove outliers or obvious
instrument or data entry errors.
 Data
Processed data:
• Data processing commonly occurs by stages, and the "processed data"
from one stage may be considered the "raw data" of the next stage.
 Data collection

• Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on

targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer
relevant questions and evaluate outcomes.
• Data collection is the process of gathering and categorizing relevant
information that can then be used to make decisions about specific
situations*.

*7 Data Collection Methods for Qualitative and Quantitative Data - KyLeads

 5.
Data collection
• Questionnaire design process;
• Paper-based vs. tablet-based data collection
 Rapport

A close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups

concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well.
 6 methods of data collection
• There are many methods of data collection that you can use in your workplace,
including:
• 1. Observation
• 2. Survey
• 3. Focus group
• 4. Interview
• 5. Design thinking
• 6. User testing

6 Methods of Data Collection (With Types and Examples) | Indeed.com

Questionnaire design process
 Questionnaire
• A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series
of questions (or other types of prompts) for the purpose of
gathering information from respondents.
• A set of printed or written questions with a choice of answers, devised for
the purposes of a survey or statistical study.
 Question type

• Open-ended and
• Closed-ended questions.
 Question type

• An open-ended question asks the respondent to formulate his own answer.

• A closed-ended question has the respondent pick an answer from a given
number of options.
 Question sequence

• In general, questions should flow logically from one to the next.

• To achieve the best response rates, questions should flow-
• from the least sensitive to the most sensitive,
• from the factual and behavioral to the attitudinal, and
• from the more general to the more specific.
 Question sequence

There typically is a flow that should be followed when constructing a questionnaire

regarding the order that the questions are asked.
The order is as follows:
• Screens
• Warm-ups
• Transitions
• Skips
• Difficult
• Classification or demographic question
 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.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Questionnaire
 Basic rules for questionnaire item construction

• 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.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Questionnaire
Paper-based vs. tablet-based data collection

Data collection: electronic or manual?

Data collection: electronic or manual? | SCM | Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC) |
North Carolina State UniversitySupply Chain Resource Cooperative | NC State University
(ncsu.edu)
 Data Gathering – Paper Based vs. Electronic
Data Collection
• Data gathering can be carried out in a myriad of ways.
Among them are-
• Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI or “electronic”) and
• Paper and Pencil Interviewing (PAPI or “paper based”).
• These methods come with their very own set of advantages and disadvantages.
• PAPI is a more traditional method that involves questionnaires or surveys in paper
form whereas CAPI is a newer and more popular method that involves tools like
tablets, smartphones or laptops to record responses. Although CAPI is gaining
popularity today, PAPI may still be the right choice in certain situations.

Data collection: electronic or manual? | SCM | Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC) | North Carolina State UniversitySupply
Chain Resource Cooperative | NC State University (ncsu.edu)
 Electronic Data Collection
Advantages:
• Data gathering through electronic tools is most effective when the data generated through a
well-constructed questionnaire can be fed in for analysis directly without any need for
further data cleaning.
• Studies have also shown that electronic tools generate a much higher response rate and allow
researchers to connect with a vast population regardless of their location.
• Data entry and integration is fast, information gets stacked and processed for real time
usage.
• Electronic tools eliminate the need for manual intervention and minimize human error.

Data collection: electronic or manual? | SCM | Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC) | North Carolina State UniversitySupply
Chain Resource Cooperative | NC State University (ncsu.edu)
 Electronic Data Collection
Advantages:
• It’s easy to modify the surveys based on the real-time feedback. Electronic
tools allow for flexibility to make changes quickly and send the survey back
into the field without waiting for an entire cycle of surveys to end.
• When the cost of initiating an electronic survey that requires large overheads
is compared to the magnitude of the survey’s reach, the cost-per-response is
significantly lower compared to other alternatives.

Data collection: electronic or manual? | SCM | Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC) | North Carolina State UniversitySupply
Chain Resource Cooperative | NC State University (ncsu.edu)
 Electronic Data Collection
Disadvantages:
• Poor communication connectivity can be the most debilitating liability when it concerns
areas that lack the adequate infrastructure.
• Electronic tools cannot be used to administer surveys effectively in areas that don’t have
sufficient internet connectivity or access, and this will negatively impact the process.
• The lack of familiarity with electronic tools on the part of the researcher and respondent
can cause major hiccups when it comes to answering and administering surveys correctly.
• Complete reliance on electronic tools may hinder researchers from carrying out surveys in
areas where respondents may be uncomfortable with these devices.

Data collection: electronic or manual? | SCM | Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC) | North Carolina State UniversitySupply
Chain Resource Cooperative | NC State University (ncsu.edu)
 Paper Based Data Collection
Advantages:
• The lack of familiarity with electronic tools among respondents and poor
communication connectivity makes paper-based surveys the most reliable option.
• Paper based tools require little to no training.
• This also means a potentially higher reach spanning the most remote and sparsely
populated areas that are sometimes left out because of poor power supply and
internet connectivity.
• Paper based tools are almost completely devoid of technical issues glitches like
tablets losing power due to a finished battery or laptops hanging due to overuse.

Data collection: electronic or manual? | SCM | Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC) | North Carolina State UniversitySupply
Chain Resource Cooperative | NC State University (ncsu.edu)
 Paper Based Data Collection
Disadvantages:
• It takes a lot of time to transfer information from the point of collection to the center of data
assimilation and analysis due to the manual nature of the process. It can be very time consuming
to administer paper-based surveys and this is inevitable.
• Data entry can bring about human errors that can’t be avoided.
• Paper based surveys mean unnecessary bulk if there is a need to retain records. Also, record
retention and recall is a challenge. Sheets of paper can suffer wear and tear during transit and
storage.
• Another challenge is logistic difficulties that are encountered when surveys are mailed and
respondents are less than willing to complete the survey and make the extra effort to return it.

Data collection: electronic or manual? | SCM | Supply Chain Resource Cooperative (SCRC) | North Carolina State UniversitySupply
Chain Resource Cooperative | NC State University (ncsu.edu)
Thank You