DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Presentation by : ENHT 07

Abhilashini, Chathura, Croos, Dhanusha, Hema, Madhusha, Niroshini, Sajith, Sanjaya, Shehani, Udari

“EXPERIMENTS”

Data Collection Methods

• In business research, data is collected from various sources and a variety of methods are used in its collection.

• Some of these methods are:– Census or Surveys– Observation– Questionnaires and Interviews– Case Studies– Experiments

Experimental Method

Experimental Method

• The experimental method involves manipulating one variable to determine if changes in one variable cause changes in another variable.

Variables?

• A variable is anything in an experiment that can change or vary.

• There are 3 kinds of variables:– Independent Variable– Dependent variable– Controlled Variables or Controlled Environment

Characteristics of An Experiment

• Test one variable at a time.• Must be fair and unbiased.• Does not allow any out side factor to affect

the final out come• Is a valid test. (proving a hypothesis)• Has repeated trials. (minimizing outcome

errors)

Merits of Experimentation

• The biggest advantage of the experimental method is it's unique ability to isolate causal factors, since an experiment is highly controlled.

• This method promises more accuracy in the study.

• Reliable data can be collected.• This is more suitable to the problem with

heterogeneous (varied) influencing factors.

Demerits of Experimentation

• The disadvantage is that exactly this control may distort the validity of the obtained results, and especially the ecological validity.

• This is very costly method.• This is suitable to Simple problems with

limited scope.• This is a time consuming method.

Situation 01

• Students were given the same jigsaw puzzle to put together and they were timed.

– Independent Variable• Ages of Students

– Dependent Variable• Time taken to put the puzzle together

– Controlled variable• Every one is given the same puzzle

Situation 02

• The temperature of water was measured at different depths of a pond

– Independent Variable• Depths of the water

– Dependent Variable• Temperature

– Controlled variable• Same pond, Same thermometer

Situation 03

• The taste of a plain tea was tested by using different levels amounts of sugar.

– Independent Variable• Level of sugar

– Dependent Variable• Taste

– Controlled Variable• Same Cup, Same sugar brand, same tea leaves, same

temperature level of hot water

Sources :

• Lightfoot, Cole & Cole (2008). The development of children.

• Lilienfeld (2011). Psychology: from inquiry to understanding.

• http://www.extension.org/pages/67849/experimental-design#.U22yAvmSwro

• Wikipedia.com

Thank You!

ENHT 07