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DATA COLLECTION

The document outlines data collection methods, distinguishing between primary and secondary data, and detailing techniques such as surveys, interviews, observations, focus groups, and forms. It emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate methods based on research goals, available resources, and the nature of data needed, while also discussing qualitative and quantitative data types. Additionally, it provides examples of data types and categorizes specific items as either quantitative or qualitative.

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JudithOnchwari
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2 views

DATA COLLECTION

The document outlines data collection methods, distinguishing between primary and secondary data, and detailing techniques such as surveys, interviews, observations, focus groups, and forms. It emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate methods based on research goals, available resources, and the nature of data needed, while also discussing qualitative and quantitative data types. Additionally, it provides examples of data types and categorizes specific items as either quantitative or qualitative.

Uploaded by

JudithOnchwari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DATA COLLECTION

Data collection is the systematic gathering and recording of any kind of information
through digital or manual methods.
Sources of data;

 Primary data is the information you collect directly from first-hand


engagements. This is done through surveys, interviews, focus groups and
observations. It offers precise, context-specific information directly related
to research objectives.

For example, suppose you are investigating the impact of a new education
policy. In that case, primary data might be collected through surveys
distributed to teachers or interviews with school administrators dealing
directly with the policy’s implementation.

Surveys and Questionnaires


Surveys and questionnaires are tools for gathering information about a
group of individuals, typically by asking them predefined questions. They can
be used to collect quantitative and qualitative data and be administered in
various ways, including online, over the phone, in person (offline), or by mail.

 Advantages: They allow researchers to reach many participants quickly


and cost-effectively, making them ideal for large-scale studies. The
structured format of questions makes analysis easier.
 Disadvantages: They may not capture complex or nuanced information
as participants are limited to predefined response choices. Also, there can
be issues with response bias, where participants might provide socially
desirable answers rather than honest ones.

Interviews
Interviews involve a one-on-one conversation between the researcher and
the participant. The interviewer asks open-ended questions to gain detailed
information about the participant’s thoughts, feelings, experiences, and
behaviors.

 Advantages: They allow for an in-depth understanding of the topic at


hand. The researcher can adapt the questioning in real time based on the
participant’s responses, allowing for more flexibility.
 Disadvantages: They can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, as
they require trained interviewers and a significant amount of time for both
conducting and analyzing responses. They may also introduce interviewer
bias if not conducted carefully, due to how an interviewer presents
questions and perceives the respondent, and how the respondent
perceives the interviewer.

Observations
Observations involve directly observing and recording behavior or other
phenomena as they occur in their natural settings.

 Advantages: Observations can provide valuable contextual information,


as researchers can study behavior in the environment where it naturally
occurs, reducing the risk of artificiality associated with laboratory settings
or self-reported measures.
 Disadvantages: Observational studies may suffer from observer bias,
where the observer’s expectations or biases could influence their
interpretation of the data. Also, some behaviors might be altered if
subjects are aware they are being observed.

Focus Groups
Focus groups are guided discussions among selected individuals to gain
information about their views and experiences.

 Advantages: Focus groups allow for interaction among participants,


which can generate a diverse range of opinions and ideas. They are good
for exploring new topics where there is little pre-existing knowledge.
 Disadvantages: Dominant voices in the group can sway the discussion,
potentially silencing less assertive participants. They also require skilled
facilitators to moderate the discussion effectively.

Forms
Forms are standardized documents with blank fields for collecting data in a
systematic manner. They are often used in fields like Customer Relationship
Management (CRM) or Electronic Medical Records (EMR) data entry. Surveys
may also be referred to as forms.

 Advantages: Forms are versatile, easy to use, and efficient for data
collection. They can streamline workflows by standardizing the data entry
process.
 Disadvantages: They may not provide in-depth insights as the responses
are typically structured and limited. There is also potential for errors in
data entry, especially when done manually.

Selecting the right data collection method should be an intentional process,


taking into consideration the unique requirements of your project. The
method selected should align with your goals, available resources, and the
nature of the data you need to collect.
If you aim to collect quantitative data, surveys, questionnaires, and forms
can be excellent tools, particularly for large-scale studies. These methods
are suited to providing structured responses that can be analyzed
statistically, delivering solid numerical data.
However, if you’re looking to uncover a deeper understanding of a subject,
qualitative data might be more suitable. In such cases, interviews,
observations, and focus groups can provide richer, more nuanced insights.
These methods allow you to explore experiences, opinions, and behaviors
deeply. Some surveys can also include open-ended questions that provide
qualitative data.
The cost of data collection is also an important consideration. If you have
budget constraints, in-depth, in-person conversations with every member of
your target population may not be practical. In such cases, distributing
questionnaires or forms can be a cost-saving approach.
Additional considerations include language barriers and connectivity issues.
If your respondents speak different languages, consider translation services
or multilingual data collection tools. If your target population resides in areas
with limited connectivity and your method will be to collect data using
mobile devices, ensure your tool provides offline data collection, which will
allow you to carry out your data collection plan without internet connectivity.

 Secondary data, on the other hand, is derived from resources that


already exist. This can include information gathered for other research
projects, administrative records, historical documents, statistical
databases, and more. It offers valuable insights and background
information that complement your primary data.

For instance, continuing with the education policy example, secondary


data might involve academic articles about similar policies, government
reports on education or previous survey data about teachers’ opinions on
educational reforms.

Qualitative data is the result of categorizing or describing attributes of a population using


words or letters.

Hair color, blood type, ethnic group, the car a person drives, and the street a person lives on are
examples of qualitative data. It lends itself more easily to mathematical analysis. For example, it
does not make sense to find an average hair color or blood type.

Quantitative data is the result of counting or measuring attributes of a population using


numbers.
Amount of money, pulse rate, weight, number of people living in your town, and number of
students who take statistics are examples of quantitative data. Quantitative data may be
either discrete or continuous.

Discrete data is obtained through counting. If you count the number of phone calls you receive
for each day of the week, you might get values such as zero, one, two, or three.

Continuous data is obtained through measuring. Measuring angles in radians might result in
such numbers as π6π6, π3π3, π2π2, ππ, 3π43π4, and so on.
If you and your friends carry backpacks with books in them to school, the numbers of books in
the backpacks are discrete data and the weights of the backpacks are continuous data.

Determine the correct data type (quantitative or qualitative). Indicate whether quantitative data
are continuous or discrete.

a. the number of pairs of shoes you own


b. the type of car you drive
c. where you go on vacation
d. the distance it is from your home to the nearest grocery store
e. the number of classes you take per school year.
f. the tuition for your classes
g. the type of calculator you use
h. movie ratings
i. political party preferences
j. weights of sumo wrestlers
k. amount of money (in dollars) won playing poker
l. number of correct answers on a quiz
m. peoples’ attitudes toward the government
n. IQ scores (This may cause some discussion.)
Answer

Items a, e, f, k, and l are quantitative discrete; items d, j, and n are quantitative continuous; items
b, c, g, h, i, and m are qualitative.

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