Data Collection Methods

Methods

awet fesseha

January 8, 2025
What is DATA?????

Data are the set of values of qualitative or quantitative variables

about one or more persons or objects.
▶ Data are simply units of information
▶ Data are measured,collected, reported, analyzed, and used to
create data visualizations such as graphs, tables or Images.

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What is DATA?????

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Quantitative Data (Numerical)

▶ Data refers to measurable observations.

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Qualitative Data (categorial)

▶ Qualitative data is the data that can be arranged into

categories based on physical traits, gender, colors or
anything that does not have a number associated with it.
▶ Qualitative-involves more details tells you why, when and

how!

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What is Data Collection?

▶ It is the process by which

the researcher collects the
information needed to
answer the research problem.
▶ The task of data collection
begins after a research
problem has been defined.

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In collecting the data,the researcher must decide:

▶ Which data is to collect?

▶ How to collect the Data?
▶ Who will collect the Data?
▶ When to collect the Data?

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The Purpose of Data Collection

▶ The Purpose of Data Collection is

▶ to obtain information
▶ To keep on a record
▶ To make decision on important issue
▶ To pass information to others

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Methods of Data Collection

▶ Essentially Two Types:

▶ primary Data : Primary data are those which are collected for
the first time and are original in character.
▶ Secondary data :Secondary data are those which have already
been collected-by someone else.

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Primary Data v/s Secondary Data

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Methods of Collecting Primary Data

▶ Primary Data may be collected through:

▶ Observation
▶ Surveys
▶ Interviews
▶ Questionnaires
▶ Schedules

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1. Observation

▶ Observation method is a method under which data from the

field is collected with the help of
observation by the observer or by personally going to the

field.

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Advantages of observation Method

▶ Produces Large quantities of data.

▶ All data obtained from observations are usable.
▶ The observation technique can be stopped or begun at any
time.
▶ Relative Inexpensive

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disadvantages of observation Method

▶ Extensive Training is needed.

▶ Limited information

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SURVEYS

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SURVEYS

How to collect Primary information through survey

▶ A researcher can collect information either by observation
▶ by asking.

WHEN HE/SHE ASKS FOR INFORMATION, WE SAY THAT

HE/SHE IS CONDUCTING A SURVEY .

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2. SURVEYS Method

▶ A ‘survey’ is a technique of gathering information by

questioning those individuals who are the object of the
research belong to a representative sample, through
standardized or questioning procedure, with the aim of
studying the relationship among the variables and/or
collecting information that probably describe the whole

population.

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There may be different ways to conduct surveys. . .

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3.Interview Method

▶ The Interview Method of collecting data involves presentation

of oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of
oral- verbal responses.
▶ where the questions are asked personally directly to the
respondent.
▶ Interviewer asks questions to respondent. (which are aimed to
get information required for study)

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Types of Interview Methods

1 - Structured Interviews : In this case, a set of

predecided questions are there.
2 - Unstructured Interviews : In this case,
we don’t follow a system of pre-determined questions.

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Types of Interview Methods

3 - Unstructured and Free flowing

▶ Focus Group has one Moderator
▶ oderator maintains control and focuses discussion
▶ It involves 6 to 10 people
▶ Group interview start with broad topic and focus in on specific
issues

▶ Relatively homogeneous

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Advantages of Interview Method

▶ More information at greater depth can be obtained

▶ Resistance may be overcome by a skilled interviewer
▶ Personal information can be obtained

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disadvantages of Interview Method

▶ It is an expensive Method
▶ Interviewer bias
▶ Respondent bias
▶ Time consuming

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4.Questionnaires

▶ The term “questionnaire” refers to an instrument for the

collection of data, usually in written form , consisting of
open/closed questions and other enquiries requiring a
response from subjects
▶ A Questionnaire is sent ( by post or by mail ) to the persons
concerned with a request to answer the questions and return
the Questionnaire.
▶ A Questionnaire consists of a number of questions printed in a
definite order on a form

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4.Questionnaires

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Essentials of Good Questionnaire

▶ Should be short and simple

▶ Follow a sequence of questions from easy to difficult one
▶ Technical terms should be avoided
▶ Should provide adequate space for answers in questionnaire
▶ Sequence must be clear

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advantages of questionnaire Method

▶ Low cost –even when the universe is large and is widespread

▶ Free from interviewer bias
▶ Responddents have adequate time to think through the
answers.
▶ Should provide adequate space for answers in questionnaire
▶ Respondents who are not easily approachable, can also be
reached conveniently.
▶ Large samples can be used

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advantages of questionnaire Method

▶ Low cost –even when the universe is large and is widespread

▶ Free from interviewer bias
▶ Responddents have adequate time to think through the
answers.
▶ Should provide adequate space for answers in questionnaire
▶ Respondents who are not easily approachable, can also be
reached conveniently.
▶ Large samples can be used

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disadvantages of questionnaire Method

▶ Time consuming
▶ The respondents need to be educated and cooperative
▶ This method is slow
▶ Should provide adequate space for answers in questionnaire
▶ Respondents who are not easily approachable, can also be
reached conveniently.
▶ Possibility of unclear replies.

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5.Schedules

▶ Very similar to Questionnaire method

▶ The main difference is that a schedule is filled by the
enumerator who is specially appointed for the purpose
▶ Enumerator goes to the respondents, asks them the questions
from the Questionnaire in the order listed, and records the
responses in the space provided.
▶ Enumerator must be trained in administering the schedule.

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Questionnaire Vs. Schedule

Questionnaire
▶ Q generally send to through
mail and no further Schedule
assistance from sender. Schedule is filled by the
▶ Q is cheaper method. enumerator or research worker.
▶ Non response is high. Costly requires field workers.
▶ In questionnaire, it is not
Non response is low.
confirmed that expected
respondent have filled the In schedule identity of person is
answers. known
research problem has been
defined.

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Secondary Data Collection Methods

▶ Data gathered and recorded by someone else. Secondary

data is data that has been collected for another purpose.
▶ It involves less cost, time and effort.
▶ Secondary data is data that is being reused. Usually in a
different context.
▶ For example: data from a book.

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SOURCES of secondary data collection

INTERNAL SOURCES
▶ Internal sources of secondary data are usually for marketing
application-
▶ Sales Records
▶ Marketing Activity
▶ Cost Information
▶ Distributor reports and feedback
▶ Customer feedback

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SOURCES of secondary data collection

External sources of secondary data

▶ Internal sources of secondary data are usually for marketing
application-
▶ Journals
▶ Books
▶ Magazines
▶ Newspaper
▶ Libraries
▶ The Internet

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Secondary Data Sources

External sources of secondary data

▶ Other Sources of secondary data collection:
▶ Publications of Central, state , local government
▶ Technical and trade journals
▶ Books, Magazines, Newspaper
▶ Reports by research scholars, Universities,

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Secondary Data Sources

Factors to be considered before using secondary data

▶ Reliability of data - Who, when , which methods, at what
time etc. must be investigated.
▶ Suitability of data – Object ,scope, and nature of original
inquiry should be studied, as if the study was with different
objective then that data is not suitable for current study
▶ Adequacy of data– Level of accuracy, Area differences
then data is not adequate for study

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Tools for data collocation

▶ SurveyMonkey: SurveyMonkey is a cloud-based survey tool

that helps users create, send and analyze surveys. Users can
email surveys to respondents and post them on their websites
and social media profiles to increase response rate.
▶ Google form: a free online tool from Google which allows
users to create forms, surveys, and quizzes as well as to
collaboratively edit and share the forms with other people.
▶ Formstack: an intuitive, drag-and-drop form and workflow
builder that allows businesses to collect information that
matters and automate processes.

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Some questions to recap

1 Two types of research data include-

▶ A. Recognised and unrecognised data.
▶ B. Structured and unstructured data.
▶ C. Qualitative and quantitative data.
▶ D. Organised and processed data.
2 Which one is the true example of primary data from the
following options?
▶ A.Journal
▶ B.Book
▶ C.Census Report
▶ D.Newspaper

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Some questions to recap

3 What is it called when the data is sourced from the place of

origin?
▶ A. Secondary
▶ B. Primary
▶ C. Secondary and primary
▶ D. All of the above
.
4 The method of collecting primary data is called –
▶ A.Questionnaire and schedule method
▶ B.Observation and Interview method
▶ C.None of the above
▶ D.A and B

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Some questions to recap

5 Which statement is not true or incorrect from the following

▶ A. The identity is known of the respondent in the case of the
questionnaire.
▶ B. The scheduling method is expensive and complicated in
comparison to the questionnaire method.
▶ C. The informants or respondents generally fill up the schedule.
▶ D. All of the above
.
6 Data that are collected or sourced from the internet is called –

▶ A. Documentary sources of data

▶ B.Internal secondary sources of data
▶ C.External secondary sources of data
▶ D.All of the above

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Some questions to recap

7 What is a representative sample?

▶ A.The identity is known of the respondent in the case of the
questionnaire.
▶ B.A sample that accurately represents data.
▶ C. A sample that has been collected within a short period.
▶ D. All of the above
.
8 In which scenario would field observation be most appropriate
as a data collection method?
▶ A) When testing user interface designs
▶ B) When collecting data on user behavior in a natural setting
▶ C) When conducting controlled experiments
▶ D) When gathering demographic information through surveys

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Some questions to recap

▶ Beside the different data collection we have seen or discussed

(traditional data collection Methods)
9 What are Digital Data Collection Methods? with examples ??
10 What are advanced data collection methods? with example
please submit the assignment to
E-mail : awet.fesseha@rca.ac.rw

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