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Practical Research 1
Quarter 2 – Module 6:
Finding Answers Through Data Collection

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feedback., comments and recommendations to the Department of
Education at action@deped.gov.ph

We value your feedback and recommendations. developed

and reviewed by educators from public and private schools, colleges, and
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Department of Education ● Republic of the

Philippines
 What I Need to Know

Most research design techniques has advantages and limitations.

Perhaps the most interesting and challenging of these is the method of
observation and interview. Finding answers to your questions is possible
through these theoretically based data-collection methods. Obtaining data
through these methods requires you to perform necessary skills or strategies
and to follow the right procedure.

This module has the following lessons:

Lesson 1- The Observation Method

Lesson 2 – The Interview Method

What you are expected to learn?

After going through this module, you are able and expected to:
1. Collects data through observation and interview
2. Infers and explain patterns and themes from data
3. Relate the findings with pertinent literature

How to learn this module?

Before exploring this module, remember to do the following tips to
achieve successfully the objectives of this self-learning material.

1. Read and comprehend the lessons.

2. Read and follow instructions carefully.
3. Answer first the pre-test before you start the lesson.
4. Take note and record points for clarifications.
5. Perform any activities presented in the lesson diligently and
honestly
6. Answer the post-test to measure how much you have gained from
the topics.

What I Know?
Answer the pre-test to measure how much you know about the topic. Choose
the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.
1.At the start of the interview, the following are things to consider except:
a. Open or unstructured questions asked in this step of the
interview
b.encourage respondent to talk about himself/herself including age,
family, etc
 c. respondents give you hint on the right ways to ask your subjects the
questions that elicit the right data for your research
d. questions on the subject’s thoughts, attitudes, or performance of his
or her job or any current work assignment.

2. It refers to a method used for recording observation notes.

a. research site c .observational protocol
b. determining your role d field notes
3 .The following are parts of an interview Protocol EXCEPT:
a. Content Questions c. Opening Question.
b. Introduction. d.slowly withdrawn
4. Which of the following isn’t true about observation?
a. observation is expensive c. observation is time-consuming
b.observation replaces interviewing d. Observation requires
operational definitions
5. Which of the following is False in the process of observing?
a. After observation, slowly withdraw by thanking the participants for their
time.
b.Gaining access through letter of consent is not necessary. You may
start the observation right away.
c. After recording observation, it should be arranged chronologically or
in order.
d. Before writing any notes, think of what catches your attention

Lesson
The Observation Method
1

Observation involves the use of our sensory systems (including eyes

and ears) to record behavior. These measures are the basic data used to
describe naturally occurring behavior or to assess the effects of our
independent research variable. Therefore, they must be gathered with care.
Observations such as these (judgments that behavior has or has not
occurred) are inherently more subjective than other data collection
procedures. Because judgments are based on our perceptions, the same
event occurring in the environment will be perceived differently by different
people (Lammers& Badea,2013 )

What’s In?
Module 5 provided you the actual collection of data in a qualitative
research. Such research involves different choices of techniques and was
dependent on the actual needs of your research. You also tend to understood
why qualitative research design, sampling and data analysis are sometimes
inconsistent or opposing research findings because of its methodology – how
research is designed and carried out.
 In this next lesson, it will focus on Observational Method as an effective
tool in data collection for a qualitative research.

What’s New?

Activity 6.1.1 Do the following

Find a spot nearby where you can conduct a 10 minute uninterrupted

observation. As part of this activity, note down what is happening in your
location including:
 What is happening within the location?
 Ambience, atmosphere, environment
 Physical characteristics of the setting
 How you are feeling and how you think this might influence what
you are observing and recording

The aim of the activity is to develop a set of notes that describe the scene
as much as possible.
Source:https://www.deakin.edu.au/ data/assets/pdf_file/0004/681025/Participant-
observation.pdf

What is it?

Using the baseline information gathered, focus on rectifying any

misconceptions regarding observation as a purposeful data-gathering tool.
One way to do this is to outline the characteristics and the steps of an
effective observation protocol through facilitated discussion.

Steps in the Process of Observing (Creswell, 2007)

1. Select the research site.
-This refers to the site where you can best understand your central
phenomenon or topic being studied. Gaining access through letter of consent
is a prerequisite first step that a researcher must do.

2. Develop observational protocol.

-The observational protocol is a method used for recording observation
notes. It includes both ―descriptive‖ or those about what happened and
―reflective‖ or learning based on what have been observed.

3. Focus the observation.

-Before writing any notes, think of what catches your attention. There
will be a lot in the site, but focus your observation only on what will help you
understand your research question.

4. Determine your role.

-What will you be as a researcher? Will you be a participant observer
or non-participant observer?
 5. Record field notes.
-Using the Observation Protocol, record what you observe using your
five senses. The observation should be arranged chronologically or in order.

6. Slowly withdraw.
-After observation, slowly withdraw by thanking the participants for their
time.

Sample Observation Protocol (Creswell, 2007)

Duration of Activity: 60 mins
Descriptive Notes Reflective Notes
General:
What are the experiences of Grade 11
students as they study Basic Calculus?

Start of observation: 7:00 AM

The class started on time, but some I wonder if these students always come late?
students arrived late.

There are more than 50 students in the
classroom.
Some students seated at the back start to
become sleepy.
Can the teacher manage this big class?
I wonder if it’s the class that makes them sleepy
or their activity at night?

What’s More?
Activity 6.1.2 Do the following
How good are your recall skills?
Take out a piece of paper and a pencil/pen. Draw a map, showing what someone wou

For students, make mental notes to consciously remember items in the

order in which they occurred. Repeat important items to yourself periodically.
Every observation typically begins with your drawing a map of the setting and
describing participants present in that setting. If you have trouble
remembering facts without making a written record, go ahead and write down
what you want to remember. The beauty of observation field notes lies in
their ability to help you remember things at a later date. Through observation,
you are able to recapture what you observed at an earlier time, providing rich
details of those observations through capturing them in field notes.(Kawulich,
2012)
 What I Have Learned?
Activity 6.1.3 Do the following

Direction: Based on what you learned about observation, subject the

following texts to critical evaluation.
1. The researcher has lived with one tribal group in Mt. Province for one
summer time. In her stay there, she observed the paganism of people in
the place. She spent two hours a day teaching the tribal people Christian
practices to overcome their paganism.

2. The researcher did a participant observation. To see and hear the

subjects better, he would mingle and exchange views with them. From
the start to the end of the observation, he succeeded in keeping his
identity secret.

3. The researcher writing his observation report used several pages for the
descriptive part of his report. He limited his reporting only to describing
every person, event, thing, and place involved in the observation.

Source: Braceros, Esther(2016) Practical Research 1.Rex Publishing, Philippines

What I can Do?

Activity 6.1.4 Do the following

Sound without Sight

Find a scene to observe, where you can only hear the activity, not see what is going on. You might,
 Lesson
Interview Method
2
Interviewing is one method by which qualitative data can be gathered.
Although it may be less formal than quantitative, it is important to design a
systematic interview technique as well as carefully validated data.

What’s In?

In lesson 1, you enabled to tackled observation as data gathering

method. It provides you as learners the steps in conducting observation. In
this lesson, you will be able to outline the steps in doing interview and the
parts of it’s protocol.

What’s New?
Activity 6.2.1 Do the following

Ask any member of the family. Conduct interview about their autobiography

What is it?
Steps in Conducting an Interview (Denzin 2013; Bernard2013; Rubin 2012)

Step 1: Getting to Know Each Other

 The interview starts from the time you, he interviewer, and your
respondents see each other at the place of interview, that is, if this is a
traditional interview.
 Naturally, seeing each other for the first time, your tendency would be
to talk with each other to establish friendship and a relaxed mood for
both of you.

Step 2: Having an Idea of the Research

 This second step requires you to tell the respondents about the nature
of the interview—its purpose, importance, scope, and so on. Telling
them of these salient features of the activity enables them to anticipate
not only the kind of questions they will get to face, but also the
appropriate answers they will give.

Step 3: Starting the Interview

 You open this step with a question to encourage the respondent to talk
about himself or herself, including his or her age, family, current
 activities, and other things you think appear special or interesting to him
or her.
 Following these self-introduction questions are questions on the
subject’s thoughts, attitudes, or performance of his or her job or any
current work assignment.
 The respondent’s answers do not only help you get some clues
on his or her ways or techniques of responding to interview questions,
but also give you hints on the right ways to ask your subjects the
questions that will elicit the right data for your research

Step 4: Conducting the Interview Proper

 Interview questions in this step are on the interviewee’s open and
extensive talking of things related to the research theme or research
questions and on those anticipated by him/her or emanating from his/her
explanations, descriptions, or narrations of things. Open or unstructured
questions asked in this step of the interview aim at investigating the
questions.
Step 5: Putting an End to the Interview
 Signs of the approaching end of the interview work to alert the
respondent in winding up with his or her talking.
 This step also reminds you of your responsibility to let the respondent
be free in airing whatever doubts or questions he or she has about the
research design, method, interview time, and other aspects of the
interview.
Step 6: Pondering Over Interview Afterthoughts
 This last step of the interview gives the respondent the opportunity to
ask questions about the interview activity and let him or her have an idea
about what will happen next to the interview results.

Parts of an Interview Protocol (Creswell, 2007)

1.Basic Information about the Interview.

-It includes the time and date of the interview, where the interview
takes place, and who the participants to be interviewed are.
2.Introduction.
-This provides instructions to the interviewer which will serve as his/her
guide in conducting the session. It is a prerequisite that the interviewer
introduce himself/herself including the objectives of the research.
3.Opening Question.
-This is about getting to know participants so they will feel at ease.
Questions related to their work or activities are good opening
questions. Very personal questions must be avoided.
4.Content Questions
-These are sub-questions based on the central phenomenon being
studied.
5.Closing Instructions
-Thank the interviewee of his/her time
 What’s More?

Activity 6.2.2 Fill-in the needed information in the table

Interview Method

Advantages Disadvantages

What I have Learned?

Activity 6.2.3 Do the following

Create an Interview Protocol related to the topic in act. 6.2.1 and

conduct interview at any of the house member.

What I can Do?

Activity 6.2.4 Do the following.

Using the Interview you made in Act.6.2.3, be an interviewee

with any member of the family as interviewer.

Post-Test?
Choose the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.

1. Which of the following is False in the process of observing?

a. Before writing any notes, think of what catches your attention
b. After recording observation, it should be arranged chronologically or
in order.
c. After observation, slowly withdraw by thanking the participants for their
time.
d. Gaining access through letter of consent is not necessary. You may
 start the observation right away.
2 .The following are parts of an interview Protocol EXCEPT:
a. Content Questions c. slowly withdrawn
b. Introduction. d. Opening Question
3.At the start of the interview, the following are things to consider except:
a. questions on the subject’s thoughts, attitudes, or performance of his
or her job or any current work assignment.
b.encourage respondent to talk about himself/herself including age,
family, etc
c.Open or unstructured questions asked in this step of the
interview
d. respondents give you hint on the right ways to ask your subjects the
questions that elicit the right data for your research
4. It refers to a method used for recording observation notes.
a. observational protocol c . determining your role
b. research site d field notes
5. Which of the following isn’t true about observation?
a. observation replaces interviewing c. observation is expensive
b. observation is time-consuming d. Observation requires
operational definition

REFERENCES

Braceros, E.L. 2016. Practical Research 1.. Rex Bookstore. Manila, Philippines.
CREWELL, JW. QUALITATIVE INQUIRY AND RESEARCH DESIGN.
CHOOSING AMONG FIVE TRADITIONS. THOUSAND OAKS, CA: SAGE
PUBLICATION, n.d.
Kawulich, Barbara (2012). Doing Social Research: A global context, Chapter:
Collecting data through observation, Publisher: McGraw Hill, Editors: C.
Wagner, B. Kawulich, M. Garner, pp.150-160
Practical Research 1. Teachers Guide. Deped.2016
https://www.deakin.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/681025/Participant-
observation.pdf

ANSWER KEY
PRE-TEST
1.a 2.c 3.d 4.b 5.b

POST TEST
1.d 2.d 3.c 4.a 5.a