Data collection methods

How to collect data

Data
• The word data is pleural form of word datum which means information which is
systematically collected in the course of study.

OR
• Data is raw facts and figures
• Have very little meaning until they are sorted, or they are used to make
calculations.
• The process of sorting or calculating data is called data processing.
• The result of data processing is information.
Data collection
• Data collection is a process of gathering information from all the relevant sources
to find a solution to the research problem.

• It helps to estimate the outcome of the situation. The data collection methods
enable you to conclude an answer to the relevant question.

• The main sources of the data collections methods are “Data”. Data can be

classified into two types:

i. Primary data

ii. Secondary data

Types of data collection
Primary Data Collection Methods

• Primary data or raw data is a type of information that is obtained directly from the
first-hand source through experiments, surveys or observations.

1. Observation method

2. Interview method

3. Questionnaire

4. Focus group

5. experiments
Data collection techniques and tools
Types of method/technique Tools for data collection
1. Interview • Interview schedule

2. Questioning • Questionnaire

3. Observation • Rating scale, check list, CCTv

4. Bio physiologic method • In-vivo, In-vitro

5. Others • Projective technique

QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN

• Two Types of Questions:

1. Open format or Open-ended

2. Closed format or Closed-ended

Open format or Open-ended questions
• Open-ended questions give your audience an opportunity to express their opinions
in a free-flowing manner.

• These questions don't have predetermined set of responses and the respondent is
free to answer whatever he/she feels right.

• By including open format questions in your questionnaire, you can get true,
insightful and even unexpected suggestions.

• Qualitative questions fall under this category

• What is route of transmission of HIV?

Closed format or Closed-ended questions

• Multiple choice questions, where respondents are restricted to choose among any
of the given answers

• There is no fixed limit as to how many multiple choices should be given; the
number can be even or odd

• How would you rate the teaching of CM dept. Cost effective health services are:
Secondary data collection methods

• Secondary data is data collected by someone other than the actual user.

• It means that the information is already available, and someone analyses it.

• The secondary data includes magazines, newspapers, books, journals, etc. It may
be either published data or unpublished data.
Unpublished source of secondary data

• All statistical material is not always published.

• Sources of unpublished data are:

• Records maintained by various government and private sector

• Studies made by research institutions , scholars etc

• Various departments and offices of central and state government