Data Collection tools

Wayel Elamin Mustafa

Sources of Data

( 1) Health services facilities: hospitals, health centres,

dispensaries, dressing stations, private clinics
(2) Ministry of health and other related ministries or health
sectors
(3) localities
(4) Community leaders
(5) Organization
(6) Different programmes
(7) Community at large.
Quantitative Data:

• These are written in numbers for example incidence,

prevalence, rates or ratios, numbers and percent.
• For morbidity and mortality we utilize the responders’
responses, also used for measuring the service
utilization coverage, the age groups, etc..
• Quantitative data can be collected by :
• Mini-survey
• Questionnaire.
Quantitative Data :

• (1)The Questionnaire:
• The Questionnaire is a method of data collection. It
consists of series of questions to achieve certain objectives.
Steps for questionnaire design:
• state your objectives
• decide what variables are needed to achieve the objectives
• divide the questionnaire to certain (parts) e.g. part ‘I’
general information like name, age, sex, residence.
• Decide what questions are needed in each part
• Decide whether these questions will achieve the
objectives, whether the questions are easy realistic simple.
Types of questions can be
used in the questionnaire
1- Close ended and open ended questions:
in the close ended questions you give the respondent
certain options
e.g. [ ] yes [ ] no
2- in the open ended you give the respondent the
chance to answer in his own words
Each type has advantages and disadvantages
 The close ended
 is easy to answer, easy to analyze and it remind the respondent
with the important, but sometimes is misleading and biased
 The open ended
 Is slow difficult to analyze but more honest and innovative
 Mini-survey:
 - number 20-30
 - 10-15 questions
 - close ended questions
 you can modify used as a rapid and economic method.
Can be used to test questionnaire.
Qualitative

 Qualitative:
 Focus group discussion:
 Is used to collect qualitative data.
 To dig deep to know what people think and feel.
 It is conducted to answer the question why?
Steps for conducting F.G.D.

• (1) Determine the number of the groups (at least 2 groups)

• (2) The group should be homogeneous or at least sharing a
common experiences (e.g. mothers, F.P. utilizers etc..)
• (3) Length of time should not exceed 2 hours
• (4) Determine group setting all the respondents seeing
each others
• (5) Prepare a topic guide (list of open ended questions)
• (6) a moderator to ask the questions and manage the
discussion
• (7) a reporter to register the group discussion
• (8) choose the correct time and place
 Start the group discussion by introduction: introducing
yourself and explain the purpose of the discussion
 let the participants introduce themselves
 Then go through the questions and let the participants
answer
 register the discussion
 summarize the key ideas and close the session
• Observation:
Is an important type of qualitative data collection tool
• can give information about so many things, e.g. geographical situation
• ethnic groups
• sex, age, behaviour
• environmental sanitation
• building situation
• training of health worker
• attitude of health workers
• The observation should be accompanied with a checklist. A checklist is a
series of descriptive or activities which should be checked.
• In-depth interview:
Is the way of gathering information through communication between
some one who wants information (the interviewer) and the responsible
people who can supply the information (interviewee) such as the leader or
the service provider etc…..
people should trust the interviewer in order to :
* give the correct information
* introduce yourself and explain the purpose of the interview
* start with the general information and then the private ones.
• The following criteria should be available in the interviewer:
• has good communication skills
• relaxed, friendly, pleasant
• Knowledgeable about the questionnaire
Analyzing and Summarizing
data
 For the questionnaire use data sheet
 The data managed either manually or using the
computer
 For qualitative data summarize the responses of the
respondents you can use diagrams or comments on each
response
 Data can be presented in tables or diagrams or graphs