NUR 028 (Nursing Research 2-Lecture)

STUDENT ACTIVITY SHEET BS NURSING/THIRD YEAR

Session # 2

Materials:
LESSON TITLE: METHODS OF COLLECTING DATA Book, pen and notebook
LEARNING OUTCOME: Textbook:
Upon completion of this lesson, the nursing student is
expected to: Barrientos-Tan, C. (2011). A Research Guide in
Nursing Education: Building an Evidence-Based
1. Discuss the methods of collecting data. Practice. Pasay City: Philippines, Visprint Inc.

References:
Polit, Denise F. & Beck, Cheryl T. (2012). Nursing
research: Generating and assessing evidence for
nursing research (9th ed.), Philadelphia, PA:
Wolters Kluwer Health/ Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.

LESSON REVIEW (5 minutes)

The instructor will open a box of rolled papers with your assigned numbers. If your number will be picked by the instructor,
you have to answer one of the following questions:
1. What are the categories of data collection?
2. Who can explain the three types of research data?

MAIN LESSON (30 minutes)

Methods of Collecting Data

The following are the ways to collect data:
1. Use of already existing or available data
These are pertinent reports and other documents of an institution which could be any of the following
a. Raw data form basic documents such as records of patient’s admissions, birth dates, and discharges among
others
b. Tubular data indicating number of patients admitted or discharged by year or month or total number of
deliveries surgeries or the workload of nurses.

2. Use of observers’ data

These are gathered through actual observation and recording of events. For ethical reasons the subjects must be
informed that they are being observed.

Types of Observers
a. Non-participant observer
This observer does not share the same milieu with the subjects and is not a member of the group or su bjects
of the study. Data from this source have the advantage of high level precision because subjective judgement
is minimal.

Example:
Ward clerks are trained to observe and record student nurses’ nursing care practices and the
response of patients to their nursing care.

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 Types of non-participant observers
1. Overt non-participant observer
The observer identifies herself and her task of conducting research and informing the subjects of the
types of data to be collected.

2. Covert non-participant observer

The observer does not identify herself to the subjects she will observe. This may not be ethical since the
latter have the right to be informed of activities being involved in the process of research investigation.

b. Participant observer
The observer shares the same milieu and is better acquainted with the subjects. The observer may be a
member of the group assigned to collect data while taking part in the activity of the subjects.

Example:
Staff nurse A who is part of the population is being trained to observe Staff nurse B who is the
subject of the study. Both are assigned to the ICU on a 6 am to 2 pm shift.

Types of Participant observers:

1. Overt participant observer
The observer is involved with the subjects and has full knowledge an awareness of the subjects to be
observed.

2. Covert participant observer

The observer interacts with the subjects and observes their behaviour without their knowledge. This may
be construed by the subjects as “spying who might find out the real purpose of the observer’s activity. This
may have ethical implications similar to those of the covert non-participant observer.

Two methods of observations

a. Structured Observations.
These are done when the researcher has prior knowledge of the phenomenon of interest. The behaviour
checklist may help indicate the frequency of the subjects’ observed behaviour.

b. Unstructured Observation
The researcher attempts to describe the events or behaviour with no preconceived ideas of what will be
seen or observed. This requires a high degree of attention and concentration on the part of the researcher.

3. The Use of Self Recording or the Reporting Approach

Self-recording and reporting method of data collection uses a specially prepared document intended to collect
data called instruments. This method describes tools, devices, test and other measures used in data collection.
It explains in detail how these are applied and validated.

4. Use of Delphi Technique

This technique uses a series of questionnaires to gather a consensus of options and information from a group of
experts. The process continues until a consensus is reached. Similar to questionnaires, it includes a large number
of subjects or respondents but its primary objective is to gather consensus of opinions, judgments or choices.

The Delphi Technique was originally conceived as a way to obtain the opinion of experts without necessarily
bringing them together face to face.

This is normally achieved through a series of rounds where information is fed back to panel members using
questionnaires. The Delphi technique can be used in developing a learning resource in mental health, cancer
research and others.

The following are types of Delphi technique according to Benner & Ketefian (2008):

 Classic Delphi
Questions are presented to a panel of informed individuals in a scientific field asking their opinions on a
particular issue or problem.

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  Modified Delphi
Uses interview or focus groups to gather their opinions on certain issues or trends.

 Policy Delphi
Used mostly in organizations to examine and explore policy issues. A committee could be used to
formulate the argued policy

 Real-time Delphi
Uses a structured time, avoiding delay caused by pen and paper type, hence a face to face analysis is
done by the researcher.

 E-delphi
Uses electronics of e-mails, completion of online information by either classic or modified Delphi
technique.

5. Critical Incident Technique

This technique employs a set of principles for collecting data on observable human activities. It has high val ue in
nursing since the data is based on actual incidents and is not merely hypothetical. It is flexible to examine
interpersonal communication skills (Polit & Beck, 2008)

The researcher develops a codebook to define data before initiating data collection. Coding is the process of
transforming data into numerical symbols that can be easily entered into the computer (Houser, 2008) For example,
“religion catholic” as 1 and “non-catholic” as 2. Included in the codebook are definition of variables, copies of all
scales, questionnaires and forms used in the study. After data collection is completed forms are checked for legibility
and completeness and verify data as necessary.

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING (15 minutes)

Short Quiz. You have to read and analyze the sentences carefully then write T if the statement is correct and F if the
statement is incorrect. Erasures and superimpositions are not allowed (10 points).

1. The covert participant observer interacts with the subjects and observes their behaviour without their knowledge.
ANSWER: T

2. Miss A, an observer identifies herself as part of the research team for pediatric-oncologic department. She had
informed the nurse subjects of the types of data to be collected in the ward. She is a covert observer.
ANSWER: F

3. The Delphi Technique was conceived as a way to obtain the opinion of experts without necessarily bringing them
together face to face.
ANSWER: T

4. The researcher attempts to describe the events or behaviour with no preconceived ideas of what will be seen or
observed in a structured observation.
ANSWER: F

5. Mr. G formulated a questionnaire for his correlational study research instrument. His data collecting method is
Delphi technique.
ANSWER: F

6. The yearly mortality rate and recovery rate from COPD in a hospital can be obtained from an already existing
data.
ANSWER: T

7. In a retrospective study by student K, when he plans to make use of a codebook to be able to assign values to
information he is using an e-Delphi.
ANSWER: F

8. The participant observer shares the same milieu and is aware of the subjects in the study.
ANSWER: T

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 9. In unstructured observation, a checklist may help indicate the frequency of the subjects’ observed behaviour.
ANSWER: F

10. A policy Delphi is used to reveal arguments within a panel to address a policy issue.
ANSWER: T

RATIONALIZATION ACTIVITY
The instructor will now rationalize the answers to the students and will encourage them to ask questions and to
discuss among their classmates.

1. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

2. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

3. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

4. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

5. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

6. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

7. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

8. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

9. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

10. ANSWER:
RATIONALE:

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LESSON WRAP-UP (10 minutes)

You will now mark (encircle) the session you have finished today in the tracker below. This is simply a visual to help you
track how much work you have accomplished and how much work there is left to do.

You are done with the session! Let’s track your progress.

AL Strategy: CHORAL WORK

The teacher will flash some cards to reactivate and deepen your prior knowledge on the methods of collecting data. A
series of cards will be flashed to make the class answer in unison for mastery. The pace will be quick so that all will enjoy
being part of the group. Occasionally, the teacher will say. “Say it with power” or “More energy please” to maintain group
energy.

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