Social Research Methods

Class IV
Dr. Shubhasree Bhadra
University of Calcutta
May 6, 2021
Purpose of Data Collection

 To obtain information
 To keep on record
 To make decisions about important issues
 To pass information on to others
Factors to be Considered Before Collection of Data
 Objectives and scope of the enquiry (research question).
 Sources of information (type, accessibility).
 Quantitative expression(measurement/scale).
 Techniques of data collection.
 Unit of collection.
Definition of Primary Data

 The primary data are those which are collected afresh

and for first time, and thus happen to be original in
character.
 This type of primary data is mostly pure and original
data
 The primary data is the one type of important data it is
useful for current studies as well as for future studies
Collection of Primary Data

 There are several methods of collecting primary data.

Some important methods are describes below:
 Observation Method
 Interview Method
 Collection of data through questionnaire
 Collection of data through schedules
Observation Method

 The observation method is the most commonly used

method specially in studies related to behavioural
sciences. We all observe things around us but this sort
of observation is not scientific. Observation becomes a
scientific tool and method of data collection for the
researcher , when it serves a formulated research
purpose, is systematically planned and recorded and is
subjected to checks and controls on validity and
reliability. Under the observation method, the
information is sought by way of investigator’s own
direct observation without asking from respondent.
Advantage of observation
method
 The main advantage of this method is that subjective
bias is eliminated
 The information obtained under this method relates to
what is currently happening . It is not complicated by
either the past behaviour or future intentions or
attitudes
 This method is independent of respondents’ willingness
to respond and as such is relatively less demanding of
active cooperation on the par of respondents as
happens to be the case in the interview or the
questionnaire method
Limitations of observation
method
 It is an expensive method
 The information provided by this method is very limited
 Sometimes unforeseen factors may interfere with the
observational task
Interview Method

The Interview Method of collecting data involves

presentation of oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of
oral – verbal responses. It requires the interviewer asking
questions in a face-to-face contact with the person.
Different types of Interview
 Structured Interview - the use of a set of predetermined
questions and highly standardized techniques of
recording.
 Unstructured Interview - It do not follow a system of
predetermined questions and standardized techniques
of recording information and it fully based on flexibility
and requirements.
Different types of interview
(contd…)
 Clinical Interview - is concerned with broad underlying
feelings or motivations or with the course of an
individual’s life experience
 Non-directive Interview - the interviewer's function is
simply to encourage the respondent to talk about the
topic with a bare minimum of direct questioning.
 Focused Interview - The main task is to confine the
respondent to discuss about given experience to them
and its effects.
Major advantages of
interview method
 More information and that too in greater depth can be obtained
 Interviewer by his own skill can overcome the resistance
 There is greater flexibility under this method as the opportunity to
restructure question is always there, specially in case of
unstructured interviews
 Sample can be controlled more effectively as there arises no
difficulty of the missing returns. Here no-response generally remains
very low
 The interviewer can usually control which person(s) will answer the
questions.
 The interviewer may catch the information off-guard and secure the
most spontaneous reactions
 The language of the interview can be adopted to the ability or
educational level of the person interviewed
Weakness of interview
method
 It is a very expensive method
 There remains the possibility of the bias of interview as
well as that of the respondent
 This method is relatively more-time-consuming, specially
when the sample is large
 The presence of the interviewer on the spot may over-
stimulating the respondent
 Under the interview method the organization required for
selecting, training and supervising the field-staff is more
complex
 Effective interview presupposes proper rapport with
respondents that would facilitate free and frank responses
Collection of data through questionnaire

 This method of data collection is quite popular,

particularly in case of big enquiries. It is adopted by
private individuals, research workers, private and public
organizations and even by governments. In this method a
questionnaire is sent to the persons concerned with a
request to answer the questions and return the
questionnaire. A questionnaire consists of a number of a
questions printed of typed in a definite order on a form
of set of forms. Questionnaires are a list of questions
either an openended or close - ended for which the
respondent give answers. Questionnaire can be
conducted via telephone, mail, live in a public area, or in
an institute, through electronic mail or through fax and
other methods.
Advantages of questionnaire
method
 There is low cost even when the universe is large and is
widely spread geographically
 It is free from bias of the interviewer , answers are in
respondents own words
 Respondents have adequate time to give well thought
out answer
 Respondents, who are not easily approachable, can also
be reached conveniently
 Large samples can be made use of and thus the results
can be made more dependable and reliable
Demerits of questionnaire
method
 Low rate of return of the duly filled in questionnaire ;
bias due to no-response is often indeterminate
 It can be used only when respondents are educated and
cooperating
 The control over questionnaire may be lost once it is sent
 There is also the possibility of ambiguous replies or
omission of replies altogether to certain questions;
interpretation of omission is difficult
 It is difficult to know whether willing respondents are
truly representative
 This method is likely to be the slowest of all
Data collection through
schedules
 This method of data collection is very much like the
data collection of data through questionnaire, with
little difference which lies in the fact that schedule
(proforma containing a set of questions) are being filled
in by the enumerators who are specially appointed for
the purpose. Enumerator goes to the respondents, asks
them the questions from the Performa in the order
listed, and records the responses in the space provided.
Guideline for constructing
Questionnaire/Schedules
The researcher must pay attention to the following points in
constructing an appropriate and effective questionnaire or a
schedule
 The length of questionnaire should be proper one.
 The language used should be easy and simple.
 The term used are explained properly.
 The questions should be arranged in a proper way.
 The questions should be in logical manner.
 The questions should be in analytical form.
 Complex questions should be broken into filter questions.
Continued….

 The questions should be described precisely and

correctly.
 The questions should be moving around the theme of
the investigator.
 The answers should be short and simple.
 These answers should be accurate.
 The answers should be direct one.
 The answers should be relevant to the problem.
 The answers should be understand able to everyone of
respondents.
Types of question

Question type

Open ended Close ended

Simple Multiple
dichotomy choice

Determinant
Check-list
choice
Alternative question formats

 Open-ended–Questions in which the respondent answers in his

own words.
 Closed-ended(or Fixed Alternative) –Question in which
respondent selects one or more options from pre-determined set
of responses.
 Simple dichotomy - Closed ended question with only two
response alternatives
 Multiple Choice - Closed ended question with more than two
response alternatives.
 Determinant choice –Multiple choice question in which
respondent must select only one of the response alternatives.
 Checklist question -Multiple choice question in which respondent
can select more than one of the response alternatives.
Other Methods of Data
Collection
 Warranty Cards - It is a method for data collection in which postal size
cards are used by dealers of consumer durables to collect info
regarding their product.
 Distributor or Store Audits - performed by distributors as well as
manufactures through their salesmen at regular intervals. In this type
of audit, the investigator collects an inventory of types, quantities
and prices of commodities consumed.
 Pantry Audits - used to estimate consumption of the basket of goods at
the consumer level. In this type of audit, the investigator collects an
inventory of types, quantities and prices of commodities consumed.
 Consumer Panels - A consumer panel is a group of individuals selected
by a business or organization to provide input and opinion on products
and services for research on consumer behavior. Panel members are
chosen to be representative of the general population or a target
group.
Continued….

 Mechanical Devices – Using sensors, cameras and other

mechanical end electronic devices to collect data.
 Depth Interviews - is a qualitative research technique
that involves conducting intensive individual interviews
with a small number of respondents to explore their
perspectives on a particular idea, program, or situation.
 Content Analysis - is a research method used to identify
patterns in recorded communication.
 Projective Tests - is a personality test designed to let a
person respond to ambiguous stimuli, presumably
revealing hidden emotions and internal conflicts
projected by the person into the test.
Thank you