Instrumentation/Da

ta Gathering
Tools and
Techniques in
Quantitative And
Data gathering
-is an essential process in research
as it is through the gathered data
that the problems identified in the
study are answered. Therefore,
appropriate tools and techniques
have to be used in gathering the
 APPROACHES TO DATA
GATHERING
•In research, the required information could
be taken from either primary or secondary
sources, or both. The information from
primary sources are called primary data,
while those coming from secondary sources
are referred to as secondary data.
• Primary Data
-can be gathered through observation, interview process or
questionnaire.
1. Observation
- as Kumar (20110 defined it, observation is a “ purposeful, systematic and selective
way of watching and listening to an interaction or phenomenon as it takes place.

There are two types of observation:

1.1 Participant Observation – when the researcher participates in the activities of the group
being observed in the same manner as its members whether they know that they are being
observed or not.

1.2 Non-participant Observation – this is the kind of observation wherein the researcher does
not get involved in the activities of the group but remains a passive observer; watching and
listening to the group’s activities and drawing conclusions from these.
2. The Interview
-this refers to any person-to-person interaction, either
face-to-face or otherwise, between two or more individuals
with a specific purpose in mind ( Kumar, 2011 ).

Two Different Categories of Interview:

2.1 Unstructured Interview- this is dominantly used in qualitative research. Under this
category the researcher has complete freedom to use the words, content, and structure of the
interview, and the order or sequence of questions according to the content of the study.

2.2 Structured Interview- in this category, the researcher asks a predetermined set of
questions as specified in the interview schedule prepared by the researcher/interviewer for a
person-to-person interaction which may be done face-to-face, through telephone, or by other
electronic media.
3. Questionnaire
-this is a written list of questions intended to provide
answers to the problems of the study.

Choosing between an Interview and a Questionnaire

the following criteria may be observed in the choice between using the interview or
the questionnaire:

1. The Nature of Investigation. Sense questionnaire ensures anonymity.it is preferred for

studies that involve issues which respondents may feel reluctant to discuss with an
investigator: such as drug use, sexuality, criminal activities, personal finance, etc.

2. The Geographical Distribution of the Study Population. In cases wherein the potential
respondents are scattered over a wide geographical area, using the questionnaire is a
better choice since interviewing would entail high costs.

3. The Type of Study Population. For study of populations that are illiterate, very young,
very old, or handicapped, the interview or observation is the best option.
Advantages of the Questionnaire:

It is less expensive.

It offers greater anonymity since there is no

face-to-face interaction between the researcher
and the respondent.
Advantages of the Interview:
It is more appropriate for complex situations as the interviewer has
the opportunity to prepare a respondent before asking sensitive
questions and to explain complex ones to respondents in person.
It is useful for collecting in-depth information by probing.
It can supplement information obtained from responses gathered
through observation of non-verbal reactions.
The interviewer can explain the questions or put them in a form that
is understood by the respondent.
Interviewing has a wider application since it can be used with almost
any type of population: children, handicapped, illiterate, or very old.
Guidelines in Constructing a Research Instrument:

1. Clearly define and individually list all the specific objectives, research
questions or hypothesis, if any, to be tested.
2. List all the relevant questions or hypothesis that need to be answered through
your study.
3. For each question identified in Step 2, list the information required to answer
it.
4. Constructs the questions that you want to ask of your respondents to obtain
the required information.
5. Use simple language to be easily understood.
6. Do not use ambiguous questions, or those that contain more than one
meaning and which can be interpreted differently by other respondents.
Validation of the Research Instrument:
in order to establish the content validity and reliability of a non-standardized
questionnaire, certain procedures and techniques need to be carry out.

1. Consultation with Experts is one, in order to ensure that theoretical

constructs directly related to the major concepts of study are fully
established.
2. Pre-testing of the revised questionnaire to thirty (30) individuals who
resemble the characteristics of the intended respondents of the study
but who will not be the actual respondents.
3. Item-analysis is done after the pre-testing. The accomplished
questionnaires are scored and subjected to a test of reliability.
• Secondary Data
Data from Secondary Sources through Document Analysis

Demographic information, census, surveys on labor force,

health reports and economic forecasts are examples of data
found government or semi-government publications.
Preview of researches done by others could also provide
some required information.
Historical and personal records and diaries could also
provide some needed information.
Published reports in newspaper, magazines, or in the internet