DATA COLLECTION

DATA COLLECTION
Data collection usually takes place early
in an improvement project, and is often
formalized through a data which often
contains the following activity:

Pre collection activity — agree on goals,

target data, definitions, methods

Collection — data collections

Present Findings — usually involves some form

of sorting analysis and/or presentation.
 Prior to any data collection, pre-
collection activity is one of the most crucial
steps in the process. It is often discovered
too late that the value of their interview
information is discounted as a consequence
of poor sampling of both questions and
informants and poor elicitation
techniques. After pre-collection activity is
fully completed, data collection in the field,
whether by interviewing or other methods,
can be carried out in a structured,
systematic and scientific way.
 To derive conclusions
from data, we need to
know how the data were
collected; that is, we
need to know the
method(s) of data
collection.
Methods of
Data
Collection
 COMMON DATA COLLECTION
METHODS
 Survey  Testimonials
 Case study  Tests
 Interview  Photographs,
 Observation videotapes, slides
 Group assessment
 Diaries, journals, logs
 Expert or peer
 Document review and
reviews analysis
 Portfolio reviews
SAMPLE SURVEY
It is a study that obtains
data from a subset of a
population, in order to
estimate population
attributes.
CENSUS
A census is a study that
obtains data from every member
of a population. In most studies,
a census is not practical,
because of the cost and/or time
required.
EXPERIMENT
An experiment is a controlled study in which
the researcher attempts to understand cause-
and-effect relationships. The study is
"controlled" in the sense that the researcher
controls (1) how subjects are assigned to groups
and (2) which treatments each group receives.

In the analysis phase, the researcher

compares group scores on some dependent
variable. Based on the analysis, the researcher
draws a conclusion about whether the treatment
(independent variable) had a causal effect on
the dependent variable.
OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Like experiments, observational
studies attempt to understand
cause-and-effect relationships.
However, unlike experiments, the
researcher is not able to control (1)
how subjects are assigned to groups
and/or (2) which treatments each
group receives.
 Observational studies do
not feature random
selection; so generalizing
from the results of an
observational study to a
larger population can be a
problem.
DATA COLLECTION METHODS: PROS AND CONS

Resources. When the population

is large, a sample survey has a big
resource advantage over a census. A
well-designed sample survey can
provide very precise estimates of
population parameters - quicker,
cheaper, and with less manpower
than a census.
PROS AND CONS

Generalizability. Generalizability
refers to the appropriateness of
applying findings from a study to a
larger population. Generalizability
requires random selection. If
participants in a study are randomly
selected from a larger population, it is
appropriate to generalize study results
to the larger population; if not, it is not
appropriate to generalize. 
PROS AND CONS
 Causal inference. Cause-and-effect
relationships can be teased out
when subjects are randomly
assigned to groups. Therefore,
experiments, which allow the
researcher to control assignment of
subjects to treatment groups, are
the best method for investigating
causal relationships.
TYPES OF DATA:

            There are two types (sources) for

the collection of data:
            (1) Primary Data 
(2) Secondary Data     
 PRIMARY DATA:

          The primary data are the first hand

information collected, compiled and published
by organization for some purpose. They are
most original data in character and have not
undergone any sort of statistical treatment.
Example: Population census reports are
primary data because these are collected,
complied and published by the population
census organization.
      
 SECONDARY DATA:

          The secondary data are the second hand

information which are already collected by
some one (organization) for some purpose and
are available for the present study. The
secondary data are not pure in character and
have undergone some treatment at least once.
Example: Economics survey of England is
secondary data because these are collected by
more than one organization like Bureau of
statistics, Board of Revenue, the Banks etc…
     
METHODS OF
COLLECTING
PRIMARY
DATA
PERSONAL INVESTIGATION
The researcher conducts the
survey him/herself and collects data
from it. The data collected in this
way is usually accurate and reliable.
This method of collecting data is
only applicable in case of
small research projects.
THROUGH INVESTIGATION
 Trained investigators are
employed to collect the data.
These investigators contact the
individuals and fill in
questionnaire after asking the
required information. Most
of the organizing implied this
method.
QUESTIONNAIRE: 
The researchers get the
data from local
representation or agents that
are based upon their own
experience. This method is
quick but gives only rough
estimate.
TELEPHONE:
 The researchers get
information through
telephone this method is
quick and give accurate
information.
METHODS OF
COLLECTING
SECONDARY
DATA
OFFICIAL
The publications of the
Statistical Division, Ministry
of Finance, the Federal
Bureaus of Statistics,
Ministries of Food,
Agriculture, Industry, Labor
etc…
SEMI-OFFICIAL
State Bank, Railway Board,
Central Cotton Committee,
Boards of Economic Enquiry
etc…
 Publication of Trade Associations, Chambers
of Commerce etc…

 Technical and Trade Journals and

Newspapers.

 Research Organizations such as Universities

and other institutions.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIMARY
AND SECONDARY DATA
The difference between primary and
secondary data is only a change of hand. The
primary data are the first hand data
information which is directly collected form
one source. They are most original data in
character and have not undergone any sort of
statistical treatment while the secondary
data are obtained from some other sources or
agencies. They are not pure in character and
have undergone some treatment at least
once.
FOR EXAMPLE:
  Suppose we interested to find the
average age of MS students.
We collect the age’s data by two
methods; either by directly collecting
from each student himself personally or
getting their ages from the university
record. The data collected by the
direct personal investigation is called
primary data and the data obtained from
the university record is called secondary
data.