- Designed by: Dr.

Bachiri

- Academic year: 2021/2022

- Master Title: Computer Science (MBD & SIM)

- 1st year Master Students

- Semester: I

Lesson Plan Objectives

 To clearly understand the various types of data collection methods.
 To correctly and practically use some of the data collection methods in one’s research
project.
 To have a holistic perspective about the existing data collection methods.

Data Collection Methods

There are myriad methods (interview, questionnaire, observation, quantitative research,

experimental research, etc.) that could be used to elicit relevant data.

I-Quantitative Research

According to Aliaga and Gunderson (2000), quantitative research is “explaining phenomena by

collecting numerical data that are analyzed using mathematically based methods (in particular
statistics).”

Questionnaire:
As defined by the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, a questionnaire is “a
form containing a set of questions, especially one addressed to a statistically significant number of
subjects as a way of gathering information for a survey.” McMillan emphasizes that
“questionnaires are used extensively because they provide the best way of obtaining information

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for a wide range of research problems, from surveys of large populations to reactions of students
to different instrumental methods” (2000, p. 155).

Questionnaires are often used:

• To collect factual information in order to classify people and their circumstances

• To gather straightforward information relating to people’s behavior

• To look at the basic attitudes/opinions of a group of people relating to a particular issue

• To measure the satisfaction of customers with a product or service

• To collect ‘baseline’ information which can then be tracked over time to examine changes.

*Why using a questionnaire?

1) It is simple to administer 2) It is easy to obtain the necessary data 3) It allows for a wide coverage
of a sample 4) It saves time 5) It is reliable because it includes specific items 6) It is well directed
7) It is neatly arranged and clearly printed 8) It yields a good analysis of the items.

II-Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is multimethod in focus, involving an interpretive, naturalistic approach to its

subject matter. This means that qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings,
attempting to make sense of, or interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to
them. Denzin and Lincoln (1994, p. 2)

Qualitative researchers use a variety of methods to develop deep understandings of how people
perceive their social realities and in consequence, how they act within the social world. For
example, diary accounts, open-ended questionnaires, documents, participant observation, and
ethnography.

Observation:

Observation involves looking and listening very carefully. We all watch other people sometimes,
but we don’t usually watch them in order to discover particular information about their behavior.
This is what observation in social science involves (Langley, 1988).

Types of observation:

Direct Observation

It is the type of observation in which the observer does not typically try to become a participant
in the context. Instead, the observer strives to be as unobtrusive as possible so as not to influence
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the observation and thus introduce a bias. Furthermore, direct observation suggests a more
detached perspective. The researcher is watching instead of participating. In this regard, the use
of technology is very useful and can play an integral part in direct observation. A case in point is
videotaping the phenomenon or recording the participants that the researcher observes. In fact,
direct observation tends to be more focused than participant observation because the researcher
observes specific sampled situations or people in lieu of trying to become immersed in the entire
context. Example: Observer is physically present to monitor.

http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/G3658-5.pdf 2-

Indirect Observation

This does not involve the physical presence of the observer; instead 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.

http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/G3658-5.pdf 77 3

Participant Observation

It requires that the researcher becomes a participant in the culture or context being observed. It is
mostly used in anthropological and sociological studies as well as in qualitative studies, especially
in the domain of education. This particular observation usually demands months or even years of
intensive work because the researcher needs to become accepted as a natural part of the culture in
order to assure that the observations are of the natural phenomenon. Schensul, Schensul, and
LeCompt define “participant observation as the process of learning through exposure to or
involvement in the day-to-day or routine activities of participants in the researcher setting” (1999,
p. 91). Example: a study of tribal customs by an anthropologist by taking part in tribal activities
like folk dance. The person who is observed should not be aware of the researcher’s purpose. Then
only their behaviour will be ‘natural.’

Non-Participant Observation

In this method, the observer stands apart and does not participate in the phenomenon observed.
Naturally, there is no emotional involvement on the part of the observer. This method demands a
lot of skills in recording observations in an unnoticed manner. Example: use of recording devices
to examine the details of how people talk and behave together

learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/G3658-5.pdf 5

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Focus group:

Focus groups are a form of qualitative research that is commonly used in product marketing and
marketing research, but it is a popular method within sociology as well. During a focus group, a
group of individuals—usually 6-12 people—is brought together in a room to engage in a guided
discussion of a topic.

https://www.thoughtco.com/use-focus-groups-in-research-3026533