Tools of data collection

Presented by; Amna Zafar

Why Collecting the Data!
• Before an analyst begins collecting data, they must answer three
questions first:
• What’s the goal or purpose of this research?
• What kinds of data are they planning on gathering?
• What methods and procedures will be used to collect, store, and process the
information?
What is Qualitative Data?
• Data collection in qualitative research focuses on gathering contextual information. Unlike
quantitative data, which focuses primarily on numbers to establish ‘how many’ or ‘how
much,’ qualitative data collection tools allow you to assess the ‘why’s’ and ‘how’s’ behind
those statistics. This is vital for non-profits as it enables organizations to determine:
1. Existing knowledge surrounding a particular issue.
2. How social norms and cultural practices impact a cause.
3. What kind of experiences and interactions people have with your brand.
4. Trends in the way people change their opinions.
5. Whether meaningful relationships are being established between all parties.
• In short, qualitative data collection methods collect perceptual and descriptive
information that helps you understand the reasoning and motivation behind particular
reactions and behaviors. For that reason, qualitative data methods are usually non-
numerical and center around spoken and written words rather than data extrapolated
from a spreadsheet or report.
Primary Data Collection:
• Primary data collection involves the collection of original data directly
from the source or through direct interaction with the respondents.
This method allows researchers to obtain firsthand information
specifically tailored to their research objectives.
1. Surveys and Questionnaires
2. Interviews
3. Observations
4. Experiments
5. Focus Group
Open-Ended Surveys and Questionnaires and
Focus Studies
• Open-ended surveys and questionnaires allow organizations to
collect views and opinions from respondents without meeting in
person. They can be sent electronically and are considered one of the
most cost-effective qualitative data collection tools. Unlike closed
question surveys and questionnaires that limit responses, open-ended
questions allow participants to provide lengthy and in-depth answers
from which you can extrapolate large amounts of data.
• Focus groups bring together a small group of individuals who discuss
specific topics in a moderated setting. This method helps in
understanding opinions, perceptions, and experiences shared by the
participants.
Secondary Data Collection:
• Secondary data collection involves using existing data collected by
someone else for a purpose different from the original intent.
Researchers analyze and interpret this data to extract relevant
information.
1. Published Sources
2. Online Database
3. Government and Institutional Records
4. Publicly Available Data
5. Past Research Studies
Qualitative Data
• Published Sources: Researchers refer to books, academic journals, magazines,
newspapers, government reports, and other published materials that contain relevant
data.
• Online Databases: Numerous online databases provide access to a wide range of
secondary data, such as research articles, statistical information, economic data, and
social surveys.
• Government and Institutional Records: Government agencies, research institutions, and
organizations often maintain databases or records that can be used for research
purposes.
• Publicly Available Data: Data shared by individuals, organizations, or communities on
public platforms, websites, or social media can be accessed and utilized for research.
• Past Research Studies: Previous research studies and their findings can serve as valuable
secondary data sources. Researchers can review and analyze the data to gain insights or
build upon existing knowledge
What are the benefits of collecting data?
• Collecting data offers several benefits, including:
• Knowledge and Insight
• Evidence-Based Decision Making
• Problem Identification and Solution
• Validation and Evaluation
• Identifying Trends and Predictions
• Support for Research and Development
• Policy Development
• Quality Improvement
• Personalization and Targeting
• Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration
What’s the difference between reliability and
validity?
• Reliability is about consistency and stability, while validity is about
accuracy and appropriateness. Reliability focuses on the consistency
of results, while validity focuses on whether the results are actually
measuring what they are intended to measure. Both reliability and
validity are crucial considerations in research to ensure the
trustworthiness and meaningfulness of the collected data and
measurements.
Hybrid Methodologies
• It is often possible to utilize data collection methods in qualitative
research that provide quantitative facts and figures. So if you’re
struggling to settle on an approach, a hybrid methodology may be a
good starting point. For instance, a survey format that asks closed and
open questions can collect and collate quantitative and qualitative
data.
Thank You!