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7/29/2019 Data Collection Methods and Research Design
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.