DATA

COLLECTION

CONTENTS
Data collection
Methods of Data Collection
Some Other Important Methods Of Data
Collection
Ethical Issues In Data Collection
Conclusion
References

DATA COLLECTION
Research is one way of finding the answers to your question.
Research should be carried out in a systematic manner.
Thus research process should be undertaken. The steps that are required to carry out a research
project from its origin to its conclusion are called research process.
The various activities are conveniently grouped into six stages, which are interdependent, as shown
below:
Stage I: Selection and Formulation of a Problem
Stage II: Formulation of Hypothesis
Stage III: Formulation of Research Design
Stage IV: Collection of Data
Stage V: Analysis and Interpretation of Data
Stage VI: Generalisation
The task of data collection begins after a research problem has been defined and research design
finalized.

METHODS OF DATA
COLLECTION
Methods of Data
Collection

Primary sources

Secondary sources

Documents
Govt Publications,
Earlier Research,
Census, Personal
Records, Client
Histories, Service
Records

Obervations

Interviewing

Questionnaire

Participant

Structured

Mailed
questionnaire

Non Participant

Unstructured

Collective
questionnaire

COLLECTING DATA USING

PRIMARY SOURCES
There can be following methods for collecting
primary data:
Observation
Interviewing
Questionnaire

OBSERVATION
Observation is a purposeful, systematic and selective way of watching and listening to an interaction or
phenomenon as it takes place.
Observation becomes a scientific tool and the 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 control on
validity and reliability.
Conditions for use : 1.Data must be accessible.2.Behaviour understudy must be frequent, repetitive and
predictable .3.Must cover a reasonable short time .
Reasons for Preferring Observational data :This technique used as supplement and complement to other
technique not as replacement to other technique; 1. Sometimes it is the only technique which can be used to
collect information and 2. Relationship bet. Accuracy of data and cost of data more favourable for this technique.
Types Of Observation:
- Natural vs. Contrived Situation
- Open Versus Disguised
- Structured versus Unstructured
- Direct vs. Indirect
- Human vs. Mechanical
The Recording Of Observation:
- Narrative
- Scales
- Categorical recording
- Recording on mechanical devices

Advantages of Observation as a method of Data collection:

- Subjective bias is eliminated, if observation is done accurately.
- The information obtained under this method relates to what is currently
happening
- This method is independent of respondents willingness to respond and
as such is relatively less demanding of active co-operation on the part of
the respondents.

Problems With Using Observation As A Method Of Data Collection:- When individuals or groups become aware that they are being observed,
they may change their behaviour. When a change in the behaviour of
persons or groups is attributed to their being observed it is known as the
Hawthorne Effect.
- There is always the possibility of observer bias
- The interpretation drawn from observations may vary from observer to
observer.
- There is the possibility of incomplete observation and/or recording,
which varies with the method of recording.

PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASURES

These are direct observations of physical

responses to a stimulus such as
advertisement.
Can ne controllable e.g. eye movement
and uncontrollable like galvanic skin
response.
Types :
1.Brain Wave Analysis
2.Eye Tracking
3.Others like The Psycho galvanometer and
Voice pitch analysis.

INTERVIEW
Any person-to-person interaction between two or more individuals with a
specific purpose in mind is called an interview.
Interviews are classified as shown below according to the degree of flexibility:

Interviewing

Unstructured Interview
- Flexible interview structure
- Flexible interview contents
- Flexibility in interview questions

Structured Interview
- Rigid interview structure
- Rigid interview contents
- Rigid in interview questions and
wordings

 Unstructured Interview (Qualitative Research):

A.) Depth Interviews : 3 types- :
1. In-depth Interviews (One - on ones interview)
2. Focus Group Interviews (most popular)
3. Minigroup interviews
B.) Projective techniques : 4 types -:
1. Association Technique
2. Completion technique
3. Construction technique
4. Expression Technique
Structured Interviews:
In structured interview the researcher asks the predetermined set of questions, using the same wording and
order of the questions as specified in the interview schedule.
Advantages Of Interview:
- The interview is more appropriate for complex situations:
- It is useful for collecting in-depth information:
- Information can be supplemented:
- Questions can be explained:
- Interviewing has a wider application:

CARTOON TEHNIQUE

Disadvantages Of Interview:
- Interviewing is time-consuming and expensive:
- The quality of data depends upon the quality
of the interaction:
- The quality of data depends upon the quality
of the interviewer:
- The quality of data may vary when many
interviewer are used:
- The researcher may introduce his/her bias:
- The interviewer may be biased:

QUESTIONNAIRE

A Questionnaire is simply a formalized set of questions (written

questions)for eliciting information .

Major Function of questionnaire is Measurement and it is most common

form of measurement in MR .

Ways Of Administering The Questionnaire:

- The Mailed Questionnaire
- Collective Administration
- Administration in a public place

Also when administered by means of the telephone or by a personal

interview it is termed as interview schedule or simply schedule.

QUESTIONNAIRE CONSTRUCTION
DECISION

Consist of seven major steps :

1. PRELIMINARY DECISION :
2. DECISIONS ABOUT QUESTIONS CONTENT
3. DECISIONS CONCERNING QUESTION
PHRASING
4. DECISIONS ABOUT THE RESPONSE FORMAT
5. DECISIONS CONCERNING THE QUESTION
SEQUENCE
6. DECISIONS ON THE LAYOUT OF THE
QUESTIONNAIRE
7. PRETEST AND REVIEWS

STEP 1.PRELIMINARY DECISION : NEED FOR THE DATA

Three important decisions taken

regarding the need for the data
asked for by the questions :
1. Exactly what information is
required?
2. Exactly who are the target
respondents ?
3. What method of communication will
be used to reach these

STEP 2.DECISIONS ABOUT QUESTIONS CONTENT

Five major issues related with question content and

a researcher must ascertain following aspects:
1. The need for the data asked for by the question .
2. Ability of the question to produce the data
3. Ability of the respondent to answer accurately:
. Uninformed Respondent
UNAIDED
. Forgetful Respondent
RECALL
. Inarticulate Respondents AIDED RECALL
4. Willingness of the respondent to answer
accurately(Personal ,Embarrassing and Reflecting
on prestige )
5. Potential for external events to bias the answer

STEP 3. DECISIONS CONCERNING QUESTION PHRASING

Five general issues involved in

question phrasing :
1. The meaning of words
2. Biased words and leading questions
3. Implied Alternatives
4. Implied Assumptions
5. Frame of Reference

STEP 4.DECISIONS ABOUT THE

RESPONSE FORMAT
Mainly three types of question :
1. Open Ended Questions
2. Multiple Questions
ENDED
3. Dichotomous Question CLOSE
QUESTIONS

STEP 5. DECISIONS CONCERNING THE QUESTION SEQUENCE

FOLLOWING GUIDELINES SHOULD BE

FOLLOWED:
1. The first questions should be simple
,objective and interesting.
2. The overall questionnaire should move
from topic to topic in a logical manner.
3. Initial questions should avoid providing a
biased frame of reference or suggesting
answers to following questions .

STEP 6. DECISIONS ON THE LAYOUT OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE

Physical characteristics of the

questionnaire should be easy to use.
To achieve this :
1. Minimize the possibility of recording
mistakes.
2. Clearly state skip and branching
instructions.
3. Printed on good quality paper.
4. Easy to read.
5. Simple language

STEP 7. PRETEST AND REVIEWS

Pre-test include five types of decision

:
1. What items should be pretested.
2. How should the pretest be
conducted?
3. Who should conduct the pre test.
4. Which respondents should be
involved in pretest ?
5. How many respondents should be
used ?

Advantages Of The Questionnaire:

- It is less expensive.
- It offers greater anonymity.

Disadvantages Of The Questionnaire:

- Application is limited
- Response rate is low
- Opportunity to clarify issues is lacking
- Possible to contact others
- A response cant be supplemented with other information

COLLECTING DATA USING

SECONDRY SOURCES
The sources of secondary data can broadly be classified under two
heads:
Published Sources
Unpublished Sources

Scrutiny Of Secondary Data:

Suitability
Reliability
Adequacy
Accuracy

SOME OTHER METHODS OF DATA

COLLECTION
1) CONTENT ANALYSIS
3) CASE STUDY METHOD
2) PROJECTIVE TECHNIQUES
In projective techniques the respondent in supplying information tends unconsciously to
project his own attitudes or feeling on the subject under study. Projective techniques play an
important role in motivational researches or in attitude surveys.
We may now briefly deal with the important projective techniques.
- Word association tests
- Sentence completion tests
- Story completion tests
- Verbal projection tests
- Pictorial techniques
- Play techniques

2) CONTENT ANALYSIS
These analyses consists of analysing the contents of documentary
materials such as books, magazines, newspaper and the content of all other
verbal material which can be either spoken or printed.

3) CASE STUDY METHOD

Case study involves as careful and complete observation of a social unit,
be that unit a person, a family, an institution, a cultural group or even the
entire community.
According to H. Odum, The case study method is a technique by which
individual factor whether it be an institution or just an episode in the life of
an individual or a group is analysed in its relationship to any other in the
group.

SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE
METHOD FOR DATA COLLECTION

Nature, scope and object of enquiry

Availability of financial resources
Availability of time
Precision required

ETHICAL ISSUES IN DATA

COLLECTION

ETHICS:
- Ethics is a system of moral principles
- According to Collins Dictionary (1979:502), ethical means in accordance with
principles of conduct that are considered correct, especially those of a given
profession or group
- The way each professions serves society is continuously changing in accordance
with societys needs and expectations and with the technology available for the
delivery of the services. Any judgement about whether a particular practice is
ethical is made on the basis of the code of conduct prevalent at that point in time.

STAKEHOLDERS IN RESEARCH:
- The Participants or subjects
- The researcher
- The function body

Ethical Issues Concerning Research Participants:

Collecting information
Seeking consent
Providing incentives
Seeking sensitive information
The possibility of causing harm to participants
Maintaining confidentiality

Ethical Issues Concerning Researcher:

Avoiding bias
Using inappropriate research methodology
Incorrect reporting
Inappropriate use of the information

Ethical Issues Concerning the sponsoring organization:

Restrictions imposed by sponsoring organization
The misuse of information

CONCLUSION
It is rightly said that well begun is half done
i.e. a good beginning almost assures success
and same applies to the step of data collection.