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Data Collection Methods and Tools
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1
Question
What is 'data collection' in research?
Page 2
Answer
Data collection is the process by which a researcher gathers the information needed to answer a research problem. It begins after the research problem is defined and the research design is planned.
2
Question
When planning data collection, what four practical questions must the researcher decide?
Page 3
Answer
The researcher must decide: (1) Which data to collect, (2) How to collect the data, (3) Who will collect the data, and (4) When to collect the data.
3
Question
List factors that influence the selection of a data collection method.
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Answer
Selection depends on available resources (money, time, personnel), credibility (quality/validity), needs for analysis and reporting, and the skill of the evaluator.
4
Question
What are the two essential types of data?
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Answer
Primary data (original data collected for the first time) and secondary data (data already collected by someone else, possibly processed or analysed).
5
Question
Give examples of methods used to collect primary data.
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Answer
Primary data may be collected through experiments, surveys (sample or census), interviews, observation, questionnaires, and schedules.
6
Question
Which primary data collection methods are emphasised as most important in the slides?
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Answer
The slides highlight: (1) Observation method, (2) Interview method, (3) Questionnaires, and (4) Schedules.
7
Question
What is the 'observation method' for collecting data?
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Answer
Observation method involves collecting data directly from the field by observing behavior or phenomena—either by personally going to the field or by systematic viewing by an observer.
8
Question
How does P.V. Young define observation?
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Answer
P.V. Young defined observation as ‘systematic viewing, coupled with consideration of the seen phenomenon.’
9
Question
What are the main steps for conducting an effective observation?
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Answer
Steps: (1) Determine what needs to be observed; (2) Select participants (random or selected); (3) Conduct the observation (consider venue, duration, recording materials, photographs); (4) Compile and analyse data collected; (5) Interpret the data.
10
Question
Differentiate structured and unstructured observation.
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Answer
Structured observation: observation with careful definition of units to observe, standardized recording style and conditions, and selection of related data. Unstructured observation: takes place without these predefined characteristics and is more open-ended.
11
Question
What is participant observation vs non-participant observation?
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Answer
Participant observation: the observer is a member of the group being observed. Non-participant observation: the observer watches people without revealing their role or participating; they observe from outside the group.
12
Question
Explain uncontrolled and controlled observation.
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Answer
Uncontrolled observation occurs in natural conditions to capture spontaneous behaviour (not pre-arranged). Controlled observation follows pre-arranged plans and experimental procedures, typically done under laboratory-like conditions.
13
Question
List advantages of using observation as a data collection method.
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Answer
Advantages: produces large quantities of usable data; data can be obtained or stopped at any time; relatively inexpensive compared with some methods; provides direct information about behaviour in context.
14
Question
What are disadvantages of the observation method?
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Answer
Disadvantages: it can be expensive if prolonged or requiring travel; provides limited information about internal states (attitudes, feelings); requires extensive training of observers; waiting for events can be inefficient; sometimes interviews of selected subjects can be more economical.
15
Question
What is the interview method of data collection?
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Answer
The interview method involves presenting oral-verbal stimuli (questions) and recording oral-verbal responses. An interviewer asks questions aimed at obtaining the information required for the study.
16
Question
Outline the steps to conduct an effective interview.
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Answer
Steps: (1) Prepare an interview schedule; (2) Select subjects/key respondents; (3) Conduct the interview; (4) Analyse and interpret data collected from the interview.
17
Question
Name common classifications/types of interviews shown in the slides.
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Answer
Classifications include: structured interviews (predetermined questions), unstructured interviews (no fixed system), focused interviews, clinical interviews, group interviews (6–8 people), qualitative vs quantitative interviews, individual interviews, and selection interviews (for jobs).
18
Question
What are advantages of interviews as a data collection method?
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Answer
Advantages: can obtain more in-depth information and personal data; skilled interviewers can overcome resistance and probe for clarity; can gather nuanced, detailed responses.
19
Question
What are disadvantages of interviews?
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Answer
Disadvantages: expensive, interviewer bias and respondent bias can affect data, time-consuming, and requires skilled interviewers to reduce bias and obtain good data.
20
Question
What is a questionnaire and how is it used?
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Answer
A questionnaire is a printed set of questions sent (by post or mail) to respondents with a request to answer and return it. It consists of a number of questions printed in a definite order on a form.
21
Question
What steps make a questionnaire effective?
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Answer
Steps: (1) Prepare and formulate questions (choose types, order them, write instructions, make copies); (2) Select respondents (random or selected); (3) Administer the questionnaire (set date, venue, time); (4) Tabulate collected data; (5) Analyse and interpret data collected.
22
Question
Differentiate open-ended and close-ended questionnaire questions.
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Answer
Open-ended questions let respondents answer in their own words (useful for exploratory, qualitative detail). Close-ended (fixed-alternative) questions provide predefined response choices for the respondent to select (useful for easy coding and quantitative analysis). Types of close-ended include dichotomous and multiple-choice questions.
23
Question
What are essentials of a good questionnaire?
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Answer
A good questionnaire should be short and simple, follow a clear sequence (easy to hard), avoid technical terms, provide adequate space for answers, include clear directions for filling it out, have good physical appearance (paper quality, color), and maintain a clear sequence.
24
Question
List advantages of questionnaires.
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Answer
Advantages: low cost even for large/population-wide surveys; free from interviewer bias; respondents have time to consider answers; can reach people who are hard to contact in person; allow large samples.
25
Question
List disadvantages of questionnaires.
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Answer
Disadvantages: time-consuming to receive replies; respondents need to be educated and cooperative; method can be slow; possibility of unclear or incomplete replies; non-response can be high; responses may be incomplete or incorrect.
26
Question
What is a 'schedule' and how does it differ from a questionnaire?
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Answer
A schedule is similar to a questionnaire but is filled out by an enumerator or specially appointed researcher who asks questions and records responses in the form. The main difference: the enumerator administers and records responses (not the respondent), so schedules require trained field workers.
27
Question
Compare key differences: questionnaire vs schedule (cost, non-response, accuracy).
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Answer
Questionnaire: usually sent by mail, cheaper, higher non-response, risk of incomplete/wrong answers, less interviewer bias, depends heavily on questionnaire quality. Schedule: filled by enumerator, costly (requires field workers), lower non-response, depends on enumerator’s honesty and training, tends to be relatively more correct and complete.
28
Question
What are practical advantages of using schedules (enumerator-filled forms)?
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Answer
Advantages: lower non-response because enumerator collects data directly; more correct and complete responses when enumerators are trained and honest; suitable when respondents cannot self-complete forms.
29
Question
Summarise the main similarities among observation, interview, questionnaire, and schedule methods.
Answer
All four are methods for collecting primary data. They require planning (what to collect, who, how, when), selection of participants/respondents, and procedures to record, compile, tabulate, analyse, and interpret collected data. Choice depends on resources, credibility needs, analysis demands, and staff skill.
30
Question
Define 'population' (also called 'universe') in statistics.
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Answer
Population (universe) is the entire set of items, people, or observations under study for which the researcher wants to draw conclusions—for example, all patients with a disease or all tablets in a batch. Populations can be finite (a definite number) or treated as practically infinite (very large or ongoing processes).