Tools of Data collection
As we defined data before
that is any observational collected in respect of any characteristic or event, data
can be categorized as: primary data and secondary data.
And every type of data is different
from the other in methods of collection.
Primary sources of data are that collected first-hand especially
for purpose of study and from people who have a direct connection with it.
Finding out first-hand the
attitudes of a community towards health services, ascertaining the health
needs of a community, evaluating a social program, determining the
job satisfaction of the employees of an organization, and ascertaining the quality
of service provided by a worker are examples of information collected from
primary sources.
Secondary sources of data are that provide second hand
information and involves analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of primary
data. And these sources are readily collected and available from other sources.
The use of census data to
obtain information on the age–sex structure of a population, the use of hospital
records to find out the morbidity and mortality patterns of a community,
the use of an organization’s records to ascertain its activities, and the
collection of data from sources such as articles, journals, magazines,
books and periodicals to obtain historical information are all classified as
secondary sources.
First: collecting data
using primary sources:
The choice of a method depends upon
the purpose of the study, the resources available, the skills of the researcher,
the socioeconomic–demographic characteristics of the study population such as educational
level, age structure, socioeconomic status and ethnic background, type of data
to be collected and characteristics of tool used to collect data.
1)
Observation:
Is one of the ways to collect primary
data and is a purposeful and selective way of watching and listening to an
interaction or phenomenon as it takes place.
There are many situations in which
observation is the most appropriate method of data collection; for example,
when you want to learn about the interaction in a group, ascertain the
functions performed by a worker, or study the behavior of an individual.
Advantages of Observation:
a)
Can focus
on verbal and non-verbal behavior.
b)
Inexpensive
method.
c)
Can be
stopped or begun at any time.
d)
Good
opportunities to identify unanticipated outcomes.
e)
Most
flexible
f)
is also
appropriate in situations where accurate information cannot be elicited by
questioning, because respondents either are not co-operative or are unaware of
the answers because it is difficult for them to detach themselves from the
interaction.
Problems with
observations:
a) When individuals or groups become aware
that they are being observed, they may change their behavior which is known as Hawthorne
effect.
b) There is always the possibility of observer
bias.
c) The interpretations drawn from observations
may vary from observer to observer.
d) There is the possibility of incomplete
observation and/or recording, which varies with the method of recording.
2)
Interview:
is a commonly used method of
collecting information from people and a verbal interchange, often face to
face, though the telephone may be used, in which an interviewer tries to elicit
information, beliefs or opinions from another person.
This process of asking questions can
be either very flexible, where you as the interviewer have the freedom to think
about and formulate questions as they come to your mind around the issue being
investigated, or inflexible, where you have to keep strictly to the questions
decided beforehand – including their wording, sequence and the manner in which
they are asked.
Personal interviews:
Are type of interviews which are face
to face contact with individuals.
Advantages:
a)
Useful
for in-depth understanding of experiences, opinions or descriptions.
b)
Should
be conservational.
c)
Can be
structured or unstructured.
d)
Unclear
questions can be clear during interview.
Disadvantages:
a)
Can be
intrusive.
b)
Time-consuming
and expensive.
c)
Hard
to find people in sample at all time
d)
Needs
well-trained interviewers.
e)
Possible
language barrier.
f)
Interviewer
bias.
g)
Difficult
analysis of open-ended questions.
Focus group interviews:
Are type of
interviews where that the former is undertaken with a group and the latter with
an individual. In a focus group interview, you explore experiences and
understandings of a group of people who have some experience in common with
regard to a situation or event. For example, you may explore with relevant
groups such issues as domestic violence, physical disability or refugees.
Advantages:
a) Rich source of data.
b) Used in qualitative research.
c) Participants can compare their experiences
with others.
d) Quick, flexible and inexpensive.
3) Questionnaire:
Is a written
list of questions, the answers to which are recorded by respondents. In the
case of a questionnaire, as there is no one to explain the meaning of questions
to respondents, it is important that the questions are clear and easy to
understand.
A
questionnaire should be developed in an interactive style. This means
respondents should feel as if someone is talking to them.
Types
of questionnaire:
Unstructured
questionnaire: allow respondents to reply freely without having to select one of
several provided responses.
Structured
questionnaire: specifies the respondents answer in several provided options in a
question.
Methods
of questionnaire:
a) The mailed questionnaire
b) Collective administration
c) Administration in a public place
d) Telephone questionnaire.
Steps
of formulating questionnaire:
1) Determine purpose of study.
2) Decide what you are going to study such as attitude.
3) Decide who will be asked.
4) Choose appropriate data collection method.
5) Choose measurement scale and scoring.
6) Title questionnaire.
7) Arrange in a logical order.
8) Compose a draft.
9) Self and external evaluation.
10) Pretest to clarify, refine, and time the instrument.
11) Final form.
Forms
of questions:
1) Open-ended
questions:
Here, the
possible responses are not given. In the case of a questionnaire, the respondent
writes down the answers in his/her words.
2) Closed-ended
questions:
Here, the
possible answers are set out in the questionnaire.
In every
research paper, there must be introduction that can help the reader to take an
overview about your research.
How
to write introduction:
a) Introduce or identify general topic of the research.
b) Create or provide an appropriate context
and background for reviewing literature.
c) Point out all trends, conflict, theories, methodology
evidence and conclusions in your research.
d) Give a brief about what you plan to carry
out in this research.
e) State your rationale (explanation for
fundamental reasons of your research).
f) State your research questions.
g) State your hypothesis.
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