LECTURE 3.
QUANTITATIVE DATA – COLLECTION TECHNIQUES FINALS
DEFINITION OF QUANTITATIVE DATA (Russell 2013; Creswell 2013)
Data – pieces of information or facts known by people in this world
Quantitative data – are measurable, numerical, and related to a metrical system
It denotes quantity
Discrete (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…)
Continuum (amount of flour…)
REMEMBER: These quantitative data become useful only in so far as they give answers to your research questions
TECHNIQUES IN COLLECTING QUANTITATIVE DATA
Collecting data is one major component of any type of research.
In collecting quantitative data, stress is given to the accuracy or appropriateness of your data –
gathering technique and of the right instrument to collect the data
The Most Used Quantitative Data – Gathering Techniques and Data – Gathering Instruments ( Matthews
2010; Badke 2012; Thomas 2013; Woodwell 2014)
1. OBSERVATION
sense organs
by watching and listening, and then record the results of the functioning of your eyes and ears.
In expressing these sensory experiences to quantitative data, you record them with the use of
numbers.
The numbers must be the one to represent the result of your counting and measurement.
Types:
1. Direct observation – seeing, touching, and hearing the sources of data personally
2. Indirect observation – seeing and hearing the data not through your own eyes and ears, but by means of
technological and electronic gadgets like audiotapes, video records, and other recording devices used to
capture earlier events, images, or sounds.
2. SURVEY
interview and questionnaire
This is the most popular data – gathering technique in quantitative and qualitative research studies.
Two following Data – Gathering Instruments
Questionnaire
A paper containing series of questions formulated for an individual and independent answering by
several respondents for obtaining statistical information
Each question offers number of probable answers from which the respondents, on the basis or their
own judgment, will choose the best answer.
Making up a questionnaire are factual and opinionated questions.
Questions to elicit factual answers are formulated in a multiple – choice type and those to ask about
the respondents’ views, attitudes, preferences, and other opinionated answers are provided with
sufficient space where the respondents could write sentential answers to opinionated questions.
Responses yielded by this instrument are given their numerical forms (numbers, fractions,
percentages) and categories and are subjected to statistical analysis.
Questionnaire is good for collecting data from a big number of respondents situated in different
places.
Interview
It makes you ask a set of questions done orally.
Oral interview is already a traditional way of interviewing.
The modern way of interviewing uses electronic devices such as mobile phones, telephones, smart
phones and other wireless devices.
Order of Interview Questions (Sarantakos 2013; Fraenbel 2012)
First set of questions – opening questions to establish friendly relationships
Questions about the place, the time, the physical appearance of the participant, or other non-verbal
things not for audio recording
Second set of questions – generative questions to encourage open-ended questions
Respondents’ inferences, views, or opinions about the interview topic
Third set of questions – directive or close-ended questions to elicit specific answers
Answerable with yes or no, with one type of an object, or with definite period of time and the like
Fourth set of questions – these are ending questions that give the respondents the chance to air their
satisfaction, wants, likes, dislikes, reactions, or comments about the interview.
Closing statements to give the respondents some ideas or clues on your next move or activity about the
results of the interview
Guidelines in Formulating Interview Questions
Use clear and simple language.
Avoid using acronyms, abbreviations, jargons, and highfalutin terms.
Let one question elicit only one answer: no double-barrel question.
Express your point in exact, specific, bias-free, and gender-free language.
Give way to how your respondents want themselves to be identified.
Establish continuity or free flow of the respondents’ thoughts by using appropriate follow-up questions (e.g.,
could you give an example of it? Would you mind narrating what happened next?).
Ask questions in a sequential manner; determine which should be your opening, middle, or closing
questions.
3. EXPERIMENT
A scientific method of collecting data whereby you give the subjects a sort of treatment or condition then
evaluate the results to find out the manner by which the treatment affected the subjects and to discover the
reasons behind the effects of such treatment on the subjects.
It aims at manipulating or controlling conditions to show which condition or treatment operates or functions
to yield a certain outcome.
It involves selection of subjects or participants, pre-testing the subjects prior to the application of any
treatment or condition, and giving the subjects post-test to determine the effects of the treatment.
Following combination or mixture of components that you can adopt:
Treatment evaluation
Pre-test Treatment Post-test
Pre-test Multiple treatments Post-test
Pre-test Treatment Immediate Post-test 6-mos. Post-test 1-yr. Post-test
Treatment, intervention, and condition – mean the same thing in relation to experimentation
These are the terms used to define the things given or applied to the subjects to yield certain effects
or changes on the said subjects.
4. CONTENT ANALYSIS
searching through several oral or written forms of communication to find answers to your research
questions
Used in quantitative and qualitative research studies.
This data-collection method is not only for examining printed materials but also for analysing information
coming from non-book materials like photographs, films, videotapes, paintings, drawings and the like.
You need to focus your study on a single subject or on two entities to determine their comparative features.
It must be preceded by your thorough understanding of your research questions since it guides you in
determining which aspect of the content you should focus on to find answers to the main problem of your
research.
Measurement Scales for Quantitative Data
Measurements of data expressed in numerical forms form in a scale or one that consists a series of
graduated quantities, values, degrees, numbers, and so on.
Your measurement scale choices tell you the type of statistical analysis to use in your study.
Example:
Reading is important:
___________ ________ _________ _______ ______________
5- Strongly agree 4-Agree 3-Undecided 2-Disagree 1-Strongly Disagree
How often does your professor come late?
_________ _____________ _________ _________ _______
5-Always 4-Most of the time 3-Sometimes 2-Rarely 1-Never
