DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Survey Method
 

Questions are asked to obtain information, either through self-

administered questionnaire or personal interview.
SELF-ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRE PERSONAL INTERVIEW
 Obtained information is limited to  Missing information and vague
subjects’ written answers to pre- responses are minimized with the
arranged questions. proper probing of the interviewer
 Lower response rate  Higher response rate through call-backs

 It can be administered to a large  It is administered to a person or group

number of people simultaneously one at a time
 Respondents may feel freer to  Respondent may feel more cautious
express views and are less pressured particularly in answering sensitive
to answer immediately questions for fear of disapproval
 It is more appropriate for obtaining  It is more appropriate for obtaining
objective information about complex emotionally-laden topics
or probing sentiments underlying an
expressed opinion
Observational Method
 

Makes possible the recording of behaviour but only at

the time of occurrence (e.g., observing reactions to a
particular stimulus, traffic count)
Observational Method
Advantages over Survey Method:
1. Does not rely on the respondent’s willingness to provide information;
2. certain types of data can be collected only by observation (e.g.,
behavior patterns of which the subject is not aware of or is ashamed to
admit);
3. the potential bias caused by the interviewing process is reduced or
eliminated.
 
Observational Method
Disadvantages over Survey Method:
1. Things such as awareness, beliefs, feelings, and preferences
cannot be observed; and
2. the observed behaviour patterns can be rare or too unpredictable
thus increasing the data collection costs and time requirements
Experimental Method
A method designed for collecting data under controlled conditions.
An experiment is an operation where there is actual human
interference with the conditions that can affect the variable under
study.
This is an excellent method of collecting data for causation studies. If
properly designed and executed, experiments will reveal with a good
deal of accuracy, the effect of a change in one variable on another
variable.
 Use of Existing Studies
 
Two Types:
1. Documentary sources – published or written reports, periodicals,
unpublished documents, etc.
2. Field sources – researchers who have done studies on the area of
interest are asked personally or directly for information needed
Registration Method

Examples are car registration, student registration, and

hospital admission