TOPIC 1.

Methods of data collection

Introduction

Data collection is the systematic process of gathering and measuring information which
is of interest using an established or standard procedure. The purpose is to generate
information or data needed to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses, and
evaluate outcomes. Data collection is a common undertaking in research in all fields
such as life, physical and social sciences, engineering, humanities, business, etc. While
methods vary by discipline, the main emphasis is the same i.e. to ensure an accurate
and honest data collection (Syed, 2016).

Data collection dwells on collecting quality data that can be subjected to data analysis in
order to come up with a convincing and credible answer to question/s. Data collection is
an integral or perhaps the most important stages in conducting a research. One can
have the best research design but if the required data is not gathered, the research
cannot be completed. Because of this it requires thorough planning and preparation,
hard work, patience, perseverance, and more to complete the task successfully.
Determination on the kind of data, when to collect it, how to collect it, how many
followed by the selection of sample to be the representative of a population are among
the factors that must be given due attention and shall be dealt accordingly in the
succeeding discussions (Syed, 2016).

and more to be able to complete the task successfully. Data collection starts with
determining what kind of data required followed by the selection of a sample from a
certain population. After that, you need to use a certain instrument to collect the data
from the selected sample (Syed, 2016).

Types of Data

The types of data in research can be broadly categorized into two categories;

1. Qualitative data

This a type of data that describes information such as qualities or characteristics.

They are not usually measured and they are also considered as categorical data,
because they can be categorized based on attributes, properties, labels or other
identifiers. Examples of data that fall under this type are sex, citizenship, ethnic
group and others.

Qualitative data is further divided in two types. These are:

 Nominal data

Also referred to as nominal scale in statistics, nominal data is a classification of

categorical variables, which often, used to label variables with no quantitative
 value. In some cases however, it takes a quantitative value but cannot be
manipulated using mathematical operators. Examples are gender, name, phone
number etc.

 Ordinal data

This is a type of data where the variables have natural, ordered categories, but
the distances between the categories are not clearly defined. Examples are the
rank in the board examination, position in the race, grade in a course etc.

2. Quantitative data

A type of data in the form of counts or numbers. It is a data that can be compared
on a numeric scale and can be subjected to mathematical operations and statistical
analysis. Examples of data under this are number of BSABE students, weight,
height etc.

Quantitative data is further divided into two type:

 Discrete data

This type of data refers to the data involving counting number only. Examples are
number of students in a course, age of a person, number of days in a week,
number of subjects enrolled etc.

 Continuous data

This type of data involves numeric values than can be divided into smaller units
and can be measured using measurement scales. Examples are length, time,
weight etc.

Data can also be classified based on its source as follows:

1. Primary data

These are data that are gathered directly by a researcher from primary sources.
They are considered original and unique. The sources can be individual persons,
organized groups, established practices (rites, business firms, government etc),
living organisms, man-made materials (machines, weapons, artifacts, etc), natural
objects and phenomena and others (Calderon et. al., 1993)

2. Secondary data

These are data that has been previously gathered for a certain purpose and
available somewhere else. Sources of these data can be: books, articles, thesis,
monographs, and all other second-hand data
Methods of Data collection

Methods of collecting data depends on factors such as the nature of the problem, the
population or universe understudy, the cost involve in collection, available resources
that can be utilized and the time factor (Calderon et al., 1993)

There are ways of collecting data some of the commonly used are the following (Syed,
2016):

1. Questionnaires – consist of series or sets of questions and other prompts for the
purpose of gathering information from respondents.
2. Interviews – involves getting answers to respondents by asking question about a
study. Interviews take have many forms such as: individual, face-to-face (group and
individual). This can be done through telephone or other electronic devices.
3. Focus Group Discussion/interviews – an in-depth method involving a small
homogenous group (can be 6 to 12 individuals) to discuss topics about a research
study. The discussion aims to stimulate participants to reveal vital opinions, attitudes
and reasons involving a particular concern with the aid of a facilitator or a moderator.
A well facilitated discussion during the conduct of such activity is helpful in getting
useful information (such as how and why) needed in a study.
4. Observation method – a fundamental way of finding out something about a subject
or research interests. This can be done by carefully watching, watching, listening,
reading, touching, and recording behaviour, actions and characteristics of living
beings, objects, or phenomena.
5. Experimental method – the prime method of inquiry in science. The key features of
this method are control over variables, careful measurement and establishing cause
and effect relationships. In an experiment, an independent variable is manipulated
and the dependent variable is measured. Extraneous variables must be controlled.
6. Participatory Rural Appraisal – a set of participatory and largely visual techniques of
assessing group and community resources. It is a methodology in which a group
(local community, farmer groups etc) studies an issue that concerns the population,
prioritizes problems, evaluate and recommend options to solve a problem. The
solution can be an action plan, policies and the like.
7. Rapid rural Appraisal – this method is an alternative technique used by researchers
and scientists to quickly learn and gather data from a group of people. This was
developed in response to the flaws of the traditional methods, including the time
taken to produce results, the high costs of formal surveys and the low levels of data
reliability due to non-sampling errors. This is a bridge between formal surveys and
unstructured research methods such as in-depth interviews.
8. Registration method – refers to the recording of the occurrence of important events
together with their descriptive or unique characteristics. This is limited to variables
that changes slowly such as cars, fishing vessel and others.
9. Survey method - uses a predetermined, validated set of questions given to sample
respondents. A sample is one that is representative of the larger population
 understudy. Good sample selection is a vital component of survey method as it
allows to generalize the findings from the sample to the population.
10. Case study – in-depth investigation of the subject of the study (single person, group,
event or community). Data are normally gathered using different methods
(observations, interview use of secondary data etc). Case studies often involves
observing what happens to or reconstructing ‘the case history’ of a subject
11. Diaries – are types of self-administered questionnaire often used to record frequent
or contemporaneous events or experiences. Respondents are asked to fill in the
needed information when events occur or at specified times or time intervals.
12. Principal Component Analysis – a procedure in identifying smaller number of
uncorrelated variables termed as principal components from a large set of data. The
objective is to explain the amount of variance with the fewest number of principal
components. This is useful when a large variables exist in a study and there’s a
need to determine redundant variables.
13. Activity Sampling Technique – a technique in which successive observations are
made over a period of time of one or group of workers, machines or processes.
Observations or happenings are recorded in each trials (with rating if applicable).
This technique was devised for the purpose of getting information on the time spent
by individuals or groups of workers or machines on various activities or delays.
14. Memo Motion Study – also called spaced-shot photography is a tool of time and
motion study that analyses long operations using a camera. It can help in analyzing
work motion by eliminating ill-directed and inefficient work motions.
15. Process analysis – step-by step breakdown of the phases of a process which
identifies and carefully examine the inputs, outputs and operations during each
phase. It is used to improve understanding on how the process was carried out in
order to determine potential targets for process improvement by eliminating waste
and increasing efficiency.
16. Link analysis – a data analysis technique used in network theory to evaluate the
relationships or connections between network nodes. These relationships can be on
various types of objects (nodes), including people, organizations and even
transactions. This has been used in investigating criminal activity, computer security
analysis, market research and medical research.

Secondary data can come from primary sources and can be readily available. Collection
of such data is relatively easier compared to primary data collection. Below are the
common sources of secondary data can
be obtained from the following:

1. Published printed sources

2. Books
3. Journal
4. Newspapers
5. Publish electronic sources
6. Unpublished personal records
7. Government records
8. Census data
 9. Public and private sector records

Activity

1. Read the article in the link provided and study carefully the methods of data
collection
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325846997_METHODS_OF_DATA_COLLECTION
2. To enrich your knowledge and understanding on the topic you may also browse the
book, “Methods of Research and Thesis Writing by Calderon and Gonzales”

Self Assessment Questions

Identify the appropriate data collection method for the following:

Situation Method to be Justification

used
1. Opinion of the Rizalenos on
the performance of the Rizal
provincial government
2. Examination on the
performance of rice varieties
on irrigation methods
3. Improvement on the process
and flow of operation in a
farm shop.
4. Key individuals with the
same interests were invited
to share their ideas/opinions
with a facilitator
5. Researchers visits a
community and observe the
different activities being
undertaken
6. A group of people within a
community assesses their
issues and concerns to
prioritize actions to be done

Answer to Self Assessment Questions shall be given by the instructor

TOPIC 2. Planning and conducting surveys

Introduction
A survey is a method of gathering information from a community or a group of people
using well-constructed questions. Information is collected from a targeted group of
people about their opinions, behavior, or knowledge. Common types of surveys are
written questionnaires, face-to-face or telephone interviews, focus groups, and
electronic (e-mail or website) surveys.

This data collection method is widely used because it is an efficient way of collecting
information from a large number of people, relatively easier to administer, varied
information can be gathered and can be focused to a selected subject by carefully
preparing the questions about the subject matter. It relies however on the subjects’
motivation, honesty, memory and ability to respond.

Planning and conducting a survey

The success of a survey requires careful preparation. Intense, detailed and

comprehensive planning, leads to a smoother conduct of a survey. It is good to begin
the planning by doing a brainstorming about the purpose of the survey, the objectives,
preparation of questions and other important details needed during the survey.

1. Defining the objectives

Carefully defining the goals or objectives of the survey is a key component of the
planning process. It allows the preparation of the correct questions to be
administered to the respondents. It also aids in the identification of the type of survey
to be used as well as on how to carry out the survey. It also give a hint on the size of
sample to be surveyed and to whom it will be administered.

2. Selection of respondents and areas covered by the survey

Selection of the respondents is an integral part of the survey. The numbers of

respondents should be met and at the same time they should be the true
representative of the population under study. During this planning phase an inclusion
and exclusion criteria must be established to only the right respondents will form part
as target group.
Areas where to conduct the survey should also be carefully identified so as to allow
efficient conduct of the survey. Areas should be chosen without bias and prejudice.

3. Budget planning
Availability of budget is important in doing a survey. In preparing a budgetary
requirement, consider the number of people and other expenditures such as
supplies and materials, transportation and also the time it takes to finish the survey.
 It is important that there should be enough money to be spend for the entire duration
of the survey.

4. Designing the survey

Surveys has many forms. The survey design is based on the nature of the survey to
be conducted and normally depends on its duration, budget, accessibility of the area
and respondents, and other factors. In designing a survey, choose the most effective
method of data gathering based on available resources, time duration and budget.
The number of samples for a particular population, the method of data collection
(such as FGD, RRA, Stratified, clustered, use of questionnaire, face to face,
telephone etc) should be also determined.
5. Preparing the questions/questionnaires
Decide what questions will be ask and how to will ask them. It’s important to
consider:

 The type of questions

 The content of the questions
 The phrasing of the questions
 The ordering and layout of the survey

It is also important to validate (content and easiness of answering the questions) the
questionnaire that will be developed to ensure that it contains the needed
information needed in answering the research questions or the objectives of the
survey. It also helps a lot if the questions can be easily understand or answered by
the respondents (suitability of the questions to the respondents, e.g. use of language
that can be easily understand by the respondents) .

6. Setting the Schedule

Most surveys are time-bound, hence a carefully planned schedule of activities must
be prepared. Starting from the planning stage, creating questionnaires, coordination,
briefing, conduct of survey, tallying, analysis of the results and report writing, a
timeline (it can be Gantt chart) must be set and should be strictly followed to avoid
delays.
7. Conducting the survey

Distribute or execute the survey based on the prepared design and plan. This
involves the distribution of questionnaires, doing an interview, acting as observer, as
facilitator to gather the needed data

8. Processing of data
 Data processing includes tallying the data and analyzing it using an appropriate
statistical tool.

9. Report Writing
A report will then be written using the result of the data analysis.

Activities

1. Watch the video in the link provided

https://www.educator.com/mathematics/statistics/yates/planning-and-conducting-surveys.php

2. Read the article in the link provided and study carefully the methods of data
collection
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325846997_METHODS_OF_DATA_COLLECTION

3. To enrich your knowledge and understanding on the topic you may also browse
the book, “Methods of Research and Thesis Writing by Calderon and Gonzales”

Self Assessment Questions

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a questionnaire in doing a

survey?
2. Why is validation of questionnaire important?
3. In doing a survey which should be done first, budget preparation or identification of
activities that must be accomplished? Explain.

Note: Answers to questions will be given by the instructor

References

Syed, M.S.K., 2016. Methods of Data Collection.

www.researchgate.net/publication/325546997

Calderon, J. F. and Gonzales, E. C. 1993. Methods of Research and Thesis Writing.

24K printing Co inc., 33 Acebo St., Marulas, Valenzuela, Metro Manila.