data collection methods and research design

7/29/2019 Data Collection Methods and Research Design

1/14

Data Collection Methods

Data Collection is an important aspect of any type ofresearch study. Inaccurate data collection can impact theresults of a study and ultimately lead to invalid results.

To derive conclusions from data, we need to know how thedata were collected; that is, we need to know the methodsof data collection.

In business research, data is collected from varioussources and a variety of methods or techniques are used inits collection. It may be from a secondary source or primarysource. In case of primary source, it could be census or

survey, laboratory experiment or field experiment, open orhidden observation.


2/14

Methods of Data Collection

1. Observation

Observation means viewing or seeing. Observationmay be defined as a systematic viewing of a specific

phenomenon in its proper setting or the specific purpose

of gathering data for a particular study. Observation as amethod includes both 'seeing' and 'hearing.' It isaccompanied by perceiving as well.

Types of Observation Structured and unstructured observation

Participant, quasi-participant and non-participant obs.

Controlled and non-controlled observation


3/14

Structured Observation

When the observation is characterized by a carefuldefinition of the units to be observed, the manner

of recording the observed information, standardized

condition of observation and the selection of pertinent data

of observation is called as structured observation.

Unstructured Observation

Early phase of the research may become specific to

when and where to observe, what specific aspects of thesetting or behavior to observe, and how to make and record

observations.


4/14

Participant Observation

This depend on degree of involvement of the

researcher, the researcher who may be an outsider, while

observing the group, also play the role of a group member.

Observer participates actively, for an extended period of

time.

May require observer to live or work in that area

Assumes that observer will become accepted member of

the group or community.


5/14

Quasi-participant Observation

In the absence of any standard set of relationship or

role patterns for the outsider who is always present and

never participating, both the group and the outsider are

likely to feel uncomfortable.

In this the observer assumes several role.

Sometimes he is a participant, at other times he is in the

role of an interviewer, a stranger or a listener.

He makes clear to the group that his purpose is to gather

facts.


6/14

Non-participant Observation

In non participant observation, the researcher observe the group

or community while maintaining physical and psychologicalisolation from them.

Controlled Observation

When observation take place according to a definite pre-arranged plan, involving experimental procedure, it is calledcontrolled observation.

Non-controlled Observation

It is When the researcher observes the behavior and activitiesof a group under natural condition without any stimulation fromoutside. The observer can easily check the correctness of hisinformation as often as desired.


7/14

2. Survey

The Survey method is the technique of gathering data byasking questions to people who are thought to have desiredinformation. A formal list of questionnaire is prepared.Generally a non disguised approach is used. The respondentsare asked questions on their demographic interest opinion.

Surveys can be divided into two broad categories: theinterview and the questionnaire :-

a) Interview

An interview is a conversation between two people (theinterviewer and the interviewee) where questions are askedby the interviewer to obtain information from theinterviewee.


8/14

Informal, conversational interview - no predetermined

questions are asked, in order to remain as open and adaptableas possible to the interviewees nature and priorities; during theinterview the interviewer goes with the flow.

General interview guide approach - the guide approach isintended to ensure that the same general areas of informationare collected from each interviewee; this provides more focusthan the conversational approach, but still allows a degree offreedom and adaptability in getting the information from theinterviewee.

Standardized, open-ended interview - the same open-ended questions are asked to all interviewees; this approachfacilitates faster interviews that can be more easily analyzedand compared.


9/14

Closed, fixed-response interview - where all interviewees areasked the same questions and asked to choose answers from amongthe same set of alternatives. This format is useful for those not

practiced in interviewing.

b) Questionnaire

A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series

of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gatheringinformation from respondents. It is the list of a research or surveyquestions asked to respondents, and designed to extract specificinformation. Questionnaires have advantages over some other typesof surveys in that they are cheap, do not require as much effort from

the questioner as verbal or telephone surveys, and often havestandardized answers that make it simple to compile data.


10/14

Qualitative Techniques of data collection.

Why is it that people continue to smoke when the evidenceabout harmful effects of smoking is all around them and knownto those who smoke?

Why do people not take the medicine prescribed for them?

Why do clinicians adopt innovations of unproven effectivenesswhile failing to adopt innovations of proven effectiveness?

What difference has the involvement of doctors in managementmade to the management of health services?

These are questions not easily answered by thequantitative research designs used commonly within the

medical profession. They are however the type of questionsbest answered by qualitative research methods instead. An areaof research which has really gained momentum in recent years,qualitative research is often regarded in some sense ascompeting with the more established quantitative research.


11/14

There are three main methods for collecting data in qualitative research:-

Focus groups

For this method the researcher brings together a smallnumber of subjects to discuss the topic of interest. Thegroup size is kept deliberately small, so that its members donot feel intimidated but can express opinions freely. A topicguide to aid discussion is usually prepared beforehand and

the researcher usually chairs the group, to ensure that arange of aspects of the topic are explored. The discussion isfrequently tape-recorded, then transcribed and analysed.

Direct observation

Data can be collected by an external observer, referredto as a non-participant observer. Or the data can be collected

by a participant observer, who can be a member of staffundertaking usual duties while observing the processes of


12/14

care. In this type of study the researcher aims to become

immersed in or become part of the population being studied,

so that they can develop a detailed understanding of the values

and beliefs held by members of the population.

Example: Johnson and Webb (1995) used observation to

gather evidence about how value judgements made by staff

and patients can impact on decision making. In this study, the

researcher acted as a participant observer, working as a nurse

on the ward while observing situations where nurses were

faced with difficult moral choices. Observations were recorded

as field notes and analysed for content.


13/14

In-depth interviews

Interviews use the same principle as a focus group, but

subjects are interviewed individually. Interviews inqualitative research are usually wide ranging, probing issues

in detail. They seldom involve asking a set of predetermined

questions. they encourage subjects to express their views at

length. One particularly useful technique is the criticalincident study, in which subjects are asked to comment on

real events rather than giving generalisations. This can

reveal more about beliefs and attitudes and behaviour. The

researcher may be able to obtain more detailed information

for each subject, but loses the richness that can arise in agroup in which people debate issues and exchange views.


14/14

Further methods used in qualitative research studies

Diary methods - The researcher or subject keeps a personalaccount of daily events, feelings, discussions, interactions etc.

Role-play and simulation - Participants may be asked to play

a role, or may be asked to observe role-play, after which they

are asked to rate behaviour, report feelings, and predict furtherevents.

Case-study - This is an in-depth study of just one person,

group or event. This technique is simply a description of

individuals.

data collection methods and research design

Documents