DATA COLLECTION

DATA COLLECTION1CONTENTSData collectionMethods of Data CollectionSome Other Important Methods Of Data CollectionEthical Issues In Data CollectionConclusionReferences

DATA COLLECTIONResearch 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 COLLECTIONCOLLECTING DATA USING PRIMARY SOURCES There can be following methods for collecting primary data:ObservationInterviewingQuestionnaire

OBSERVATIONObservation 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

Participant Observation vs. Non-Participant Observation6Advantages 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 Analysis2.Eye Tracking3.Others like The Psycho galvanometer and Voice pitch analysis.INTERVIEWAny 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:

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 Technique2. Completion technique3. Construction technique4. 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:

Narratives - Oral Histories

10CARTOON 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:QUESTIONNAIREA 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 DECISIONConsist of seven major steps :1. PRELIMINARY DECISION :2. DECISIONS ABOUT QUESTIONS CONTENT 3. DECISIONS CONCERNING QUESTION PHRASING4. DECISIONS ABOUT THE RESPONSE FORMAT5. DECISIONS CONCERNING THE QUESTION SEQUENCE 6. DECISIONS ON THE LAYOUT OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE7. 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 :

Exactly what information is required?Exactly who are the target respondents ?What method of communication will be used to reach these respondents ?

STEP 2.DECISIONS ABOUT QUESTIONS CONTENT

Five major issues related with question content and a researcher must ascertain following aspects:The need for the data asked for by the question .Ability of the question to produce the dataAbility of the respondent to answer accurately:Uninformed RespondentForgetful Respondent Inarticulate Respondents4. Willingness of the respondent to answer accurately(Personal ,Embarrassing and Reflecting on prestige )5. Potential for external events to bias the answer

UNAIDED RECALLAIDED RECALL

STEP 3. DECISIONS CONCERNING QUESTION PHRASING

Five general issues involved in question phrasing :The meaning of wordsBiased words and leading questionsImplied AlternativesImplied AssumptionsFrame of ReferenceSTEP 4.DECISIONS ABOUT THE RESPONSE FORMATMainly three types of question :Open Ended QuestionsMultiple QuestionsDichotomous QuestionCLOSE ENDED QUESTIONS

STEP 5. DECISIONS CONCERNING THE QUESTION SEQUENCE

FOLLOWING GUIDELINES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED:The first questions should be simple ,objective and interesting.The overall questionnaire should move from topic to topic in a logical manner.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 :Minimize the possibility of recording mistakes.Clearly state skip and branching instructions.Printed on good quality paper.Easy to read.Simple language

STEP 7. PRETEST AND REVIEWS

Pre-test include five types of decision :What items should be pretested.How should the pretest be conducted?Who should conduct the pre test.Which respondents should be involved in pretest ?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 SourcesUnpublished Sources

Scrutiny Of Secondary Data:SuitabilityReliability Adequacy Accuracy SOME OTHER METHODS OF DATA COLLECTIONCONTENT ANALYSIS3) CASE STUDY METHOD

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 enquiryAvailability of financial resourcesAvailability of timePrecision required ETHICAL ISSUES IN DATA COLLECTIONETHICS: - 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 bodyEthical Issues Concerning Research Participants:

Collecting informationSeeking consentProviding incentivesSeeking sensitive informationThe possibility of causing harm to participantsMaintaining confidentiality

Ethical Issues Concerning Researcher:

Avoiding biasUsing inappropriate research methodologyIncorrect reportingInappropriate use of the information

Ethical Issues Concerning the sponsoring organization:Restrictions imposed by sponsoring organizationThe misuse of informationCONCLUSIONIt 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.