Seminar onData Collection

Presented by

Mohammed Ahmed AliResearch Scholar

Mysore university

Department of Computer ScienceManasagangothri, Mysore

Content • Introduction• Methods of data collection A) Primary data collection 1: Observation method 2: Interview 3: Questionnaire method 3: Schedule 4: other methods B) Secondary data collection

Introduction Data are special type of information, generally obtained through

observation, surveys, enquiries, or are generated as a result of human

activity.

Data Collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on

variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one

to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate

outcomes

. The task of data collection begins after a research problem has been

defined and research design .

TYPES OF DATA

1) PRIMARY DATA : Are those which are collected a fresh and for

the first time and thus happen to be original in character and

known as Primary data.

2) SECONDARY DATA : Are those which have been collected by

someone else and which have already been passed through the

statistical process are known as Secondary data

METHOD OF COLLECTION OF PRIMARY DATAObservation method

Interviews

Questionnaire method

Schedule Method

other methods

OBSERVATION METHOD

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. • In the

words of P.V. Young, “Observation may be defined as systematic viewing,

coupled with consideration of seen phenomenon

ADVANTAGES:

• Subjective bias eliminated (No bias info)

• Information researcher gets is Current information

• Independent to respondent’s variable (as in interview and may be bias )•

OBSERVATION METHODDISADVANTAGES :

• It is expensive method (time requires more)

• Limited information

• Unforeseen factors may interfere with observational task

• Data cannot be collected effectively.

Types of observationStructured and Unstructured Observation

• When observation is done by characterizing style of recording the observed

information, standardized conditions of observation , definition of the units to be

observed , selection of pertinent data of observation then it is structured

observation

• When observation is done without any thought before observation then it is

unstructured observation

• Structured observation is considered appropriate in descriptive studies, whereas

in an exploratory study the observational procedure is most likely to be

relatively unstructured

• Participant Observation : In this observation, the observer is a part of the

phenomenon or group which observed and he acts as both an observer and a

participant.

• Non Participant Observation When observer is observing people without

giving any information to them then it is non participant observation

• Example : use of recording devices to examine the details of how people talk

and behave together

Types of observation

• Direct Observation : This means observation of an event personally by the

observer when it takes place. This method is flexible and allows the observer to see

and record subtle aspects of events and behaviour as they occur. He is also free to

shift places, change the focus of the observation.

Example: Observer is physically present to monitor

• Indirect Observation : This does not involve the physical presence of the

observer, and the recording is done by mechanical, photographic or electronic

devices.

Example : Recording customer and employee movements by a special motion

picture camera mounted in a department of large store.

INTERVIEW METHOD

• This method of collecting data involves presentation or oral-

verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral-verbal responses.

• Interview is the verbal conversation between two people with

the objective of collecting relevant information for the purpose

of research

There are different type of interviews as follows :

PERSONAL INTERVIEWS : The interviewer asks questions

generally in a face to face contact to the other person or persons.

Types of Personal InterviewStructured Interview

• Predetermined questions

• Standardized techniques of recording

• Interviewer follows rigid procedure laid

down i.e. asking recording questions in

form & order prescribed

• Time required for such is less than non

Un-structured interview

• Not necessary of skill or specific

knowledge

• Analysis of data become easier because

inf is collected in prescribed manner

Un-Structured Interview

• No Predetermined questions

Flexibility in asking questions•

• No Standardized techniques of

recording

• Interviewer has freedom to ask ,omit ,

add questions in any manner

• Ask questions without following

sequence

• Analysis of data is difficult prescribed

manner

Merits of Personal Interview• Information at greater depth

• More flexible

• Interviewer by his skill can come over resistance

• Non Response generally low

• Samples can controlled more effectively

• Personal information can be obtained

• Interviewer can collect supplementary information about respondent’s

personal characteristics and environment which has value in interpreting results

De Merits Of Interview• Expensive method

• Respondent may give bias information

• Some Executive people are not approachable so data collected may be

inadequate

• Takes more time when samples are more

• Supervisors has to do complex work of selecting ,training and supervising

the field staff.

• Telephonic interview : Contacting samples on telephone• Uncommon

method may be used in developed regions

• structured interviews : in this case, a set of pre- decided questions are

there.

• unstructured interviews : in this case, we don’t follow a system of

pre-determined questions.

• focused interviews : attention is focused on the given experience of

the respondent and its possible effects.

Types of Personal Interview

• group interviews : a group of 6 to 8 individuals is interviewed.•

qualitative and quantitative interviews : divided on the basis of

subject matter i.e. whether qualitative or quantitative.

• individual interviews : interviewer meets a single person and

interviews him.

• selection interviews : done for the selection of people for

certain jobs

Types of Personal Interview

• A questionnaire is a set of questions for gathering information from

individuals. You can administer questionnaires by mail, telephone, using

face-to-face interviews, as handouts, or electronically (i.e., by e- mail or

through Web-based questionnaires).

• A questionnaire is a series of questions asked to individuals to obtain

statistically useful information about a given topic. When properly

constructed and responsibly administered, questionnaires become a

vital instrument by which statements can be made about specific groups

or people or entire populations

QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD

There is low cost even when the universe is large and is widely spread

geographically

It is free from the bias of the interviewer; answers are in respondents’ own words

Respondents have adequate time to give well thought out answers.

Respondents, who are not easily approachable, can also be reached

conveniently.

Large samples can be made use of and thus the results can be made more

dependable and reliable.

Merits of Questionnaire

demerits of this system 1. Low rate of return of the duly filled in questionnaires; bias due to no-response is often

indeterminate.

2. It can be used only when respondents are educated and cooperating.

3. The control over questionnaire may be lost once it is sent.

4. There is inbuilt inflexibility because of the difficulty of amending the approach once

questionnaires have been dispatched.

5. There is also the possibility of ambiguous replies or omission of replies altogether to certain

questions; interpretation of omissions is difficult.

6. It is difficult to know whether willing respondents are truly representative.

7. This method is likely to be the slowest of all.

Types of questionnaires and questions

Structured questionnaires (Closed Ended Questions) are based

predominantly on closed questions which produce data that can be

analyzed quantitatively for patterns and trends. The agenda is entirely

predetermined by the evaluator and provides little flexibility for

respondents to qualify their answers.A closed question can be answered with either 'yes' or 'no'.Yes/No Questions 1. Do you have a library membership card?

Yes ( )No ( )

Structured questionnaires

• Multiple Choice Questions

• What purpose do you visit the library? (Multiple choices)

( ) To read news papers

( ) To refer books

( ) To borrow and return books

( ) To brows Internet

Scaled questions - Responses are graded on a continuum (example: rate

the appearance of the product on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the

most preferred appearance). Examples of types of scales include the

Likert scale, semantic differential scale, and rank-order scale

A likert scale is commonly used in survey research it is often used to measure respondents attitudes by asking the extent to which they agree or disagree with a particular question or statement.

Example: To what extent the information obtained from the web based resources are useful to you? (Likert Scale)

Sl. No. Extent

1 Unsatisfied

2 Somewhat satisfied

3 Neutral

4 Satisfied

5 Extremely satisfied

Rankings:Please rank the following web based resource usefulness in order of preference (starting from 1 is least preferred and 10 is most preferred).

Sl. No. Web based resources Ranking

(1…………….10)

1 E-books

2 E-journals

3 Discussion forums

4 Databases

Unstructured questionnaires (Open-ended) Non-structured questions, or open-ended questions, are questions where there is no list of answer choices from which to choose. Respondents are simply asked to write their response to a question. Here is an example:An open question is likely to receive a long answer.Example of a Non-structured Question 1. What are the facilities and services do you expect

from your library?______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the benefits for automating a library

housekeeping functions?

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

It is best to use non-structured questions when you are

exploring new ideas and you don't really know what to

expect from the respondents.

Contingency questions - A question that is answered only if the respondent gives a particular response to a previous question. This avoids asking questions of people that do not apply to them.1. Do you have computer knowledge?

Yes ( )No ( )

2. If ‘yes’ how long have you been using?•From last 6 months ( ) •From last 1 year ( )•From last 2 years ( )•From last 3-4 years ( )

Cautions regarding Questions and Questionnaires Construction1. Question number2. Order of Questions3. Check the spellings of the question statements 4. Do not use offensive language 5. Avoid double-meaning Questions6. If there are any difficult terms in the questionnaire than do explain

them 7. Avoid unnecessary questions 8. Know the academic and mental capacities of the target population 9. If there are certain personal or emotional questions ask them in the

middle or at the end10.Don't ask for elaborate answers 11.Use polite language 12.Don't write questions that already contain the answer to the

question13.Let the respondents know that their privacy will be ensured

SCHEDULE METHOD

• It is one of the important methods for the study of social problems.•

Schedules Like Questionnaires but it filled by enumerator .

Enumerators are specially appointed for filling questionnaire

Enumerators explain the aim and objective to respondent and fill the

answers in provided space .

• In the words of Thomas Carson Macormic, “The schedule is nothing

more than a list of questions which it seems necessary to test the

hypothesis

Questionnaires Q generally send through email and no

further assistant from sender

Q is cheaper method

Non Response is high

It is not clear that who replies.

The questionnaire method is likely to be

very slow

No personal contact is possible in case of

questionnaire

This method can be used only when

respondents are literate and cooperative.

Schedule Schedule is filled by enumerator or research

worker

Costly method

Non Response is Low

Identity of respondent is not known.

Information is collected well in time as they

are filled by enumerators.

Direct personal contact is established

The information can be gathered even when

the respondents happen to be illiterate

schedule There remains the difficulty in sending

enumerators over a relatively wider area.

Non Risky

It depends upon the honesty and

competence of enumerators

Not attractive

Along with schedule observation method

can also be used.

Questionnaires

Wider and more representative distribution of

sample is possible.

Risky

The success of questionnaire methods lies

more on the quality of the questionnaire

itself.

The physical appearance of questionnaire

must be quite attractive.

This is not possible when collecting data

through questionnaire.

Other Methods Of Data Collection

• Warranty Cards: Post card size cards sent to customers and

feedback collected through asking questions on that card

• Distributor or Store Audits Audits are done by distributor or

manufacturer’s salesperson. Observation or copying information

about inventory in retail shops. Useful method for knowing market

share ,market size , effect of in store promotion

MERIT OF PRIMARY DATA

Degree of accuracy is quite high.

It does not require extra caution.

It depicts the data in great detail.

Primary source of data collection frequently includes

definitions of various terms and units used.

DEMERIT OF PRIMARY DATACollection of data requires a lot of time.

Requires lot of finance.

In some enquiries it is not possible to collect primary data.

Requires a lot of labour.

Requires a lot of skill.

Secondary Data Sources of dataSecondary data means data that are already available i.e., they refer to the data which have already been collected and analyzed by someone else

• Publications of Central, state , local government

• Technical and trade journals

• Books, Magazines, Newspaper

• Reports & publications of industry ,bank, stock exchange

• Reports by research scholars, Universities, economist• Public

Records

MERIT OF SECONDARY DATA

 Use is very convenient.

 Saves time and finance.

 In some enquiries primary data cannot be collected.

 Reliable secondary data are generally available for many

investigations.

DEMERIT OF SECONDARY DATA

Very difficult to find sufficiently accurate secondary data.

Very difficult to find secondary data which exactly fulfils the need

of present investigation.

Extra caution is required to use secondary data.

Not available for all types of enquiries.

Factors to be considered before using secondary data

• Reliability of data – Who, when , which methods, at what time etc.

•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

Selection of proper Method for collection of Data

• Nature ,Scope and object of inquiry

• Availability of Funds

• Time Factor

• Precision Required

 

Reference

• Kothari, C. R. (2008). Research methodology. (2 ed., p. 418). New Delhi: New Age Publications.

• Krishnaswamy , O. R. (2002). methodology of research in social science . (p. 529). Delhi: Himalaya Publishing house.

• Ronald , R. P., & Lynn , S. C. (2004). Basic research methods for librarians (library and information science text series). (4 ed., p. 200). New Delhi: Libraries Unlimited.

• Taylor, E. (n.d.). Collection evaluation data: direct observation . Retrieved from http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/G3658-5.pdf

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