Scribd
Upload
13 views6 pages

L-7 Types of Data_collection

Uploaded by

salsabeelafroz023
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views6 pages

L-7 Types of Data_collection

Uploaded by

salsabeelafroz023
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Types of Data

Data is information collected for analysis. It can be classified into several types based on various
criteria:
1. Qualitative Data:
o Descriptive data that cannot be measured but can be observed.
o Examples include colors, textures, smells, tastes, appearance, beauty, etc.
o Subtypes:
 Nominal Data: Categorical data without a specific order (e.g., gender,
nationality).
 Ordinal Data: Categorical data with a specific order (e.g., rankings,
satisfaction levels).
2. Quantitative Data:
o Numerical data that can be measured.
o Examples include height, weight, temperature, scores, etc.
o Subtypes:
 Discrete Data: Countable data (e.g., number of students, number of cars).
 Continuous Data: Measurable data that can take any value within a range
(e.g., height, weight, time).
3. Primary Data:
o Data collected firsthand by the researcher for a specific purpose.
o Methods of collection include surveys, interviews, experiments, observations.
4. Secondary Data:
o Data that has already been collected by someone else and is available for use.
o Examples include books, articles, reports, databases.
Collection of Data
Data collection is the process of gathering information for analysis. It can be done using various
methods:
1. Surveys and Questionnaires:
o Structured forms with a set of questions to collect data from respondents.
o Can be administered online, by mail, or in person.
2. Interviews:
o Direct, face-to-face or remote conversation between a researcher and a
respondent.
o Can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured.
3. Observations:
o Recording data based on observing subjects in their natural environment.
o Can be participant observation or non-participant observation.
4. Experiments:
o Controlled studies where variables are manipulated to observe effects on the
outcome.
o Often used in scientific and psychological research.
5. Secondary Data Collection:
o Involves gathering existing data from sources such as books, journals, and online
databases.

Structured and Unstructured Methods of Data Collection


1. Interviews
Structured Interviews:
 Definition: Use a predetermined set of questions with fixed wording and order.
 Advantages:
o Ensures consistency and comparability of responses.
o Easier to analyze statistically.
 Disadvantages:
o Limited flexibility; may miss out on in-depth information.
o Can be perceived as rigid by respondents.
Unstructured Interviews:
 Definition: Open-ended and flexible, allowing for spontaneous questions based on
respondents' answers.
 Advantages:
o Provides rich, detailed data.
o Can explore new topics that arise during the interview.
 Disadvantages:
o More difficult to analyze and compare.
o Requires skilled interviewers to manage and direct the conversation effectively.

2. Observations
Structured Observations:
 Definition: Involves systematic recording of behaviors or events according to a pre-
determined plan or checklist.
 Advantages:
o Provides quantifiable data.
o Reduces observer bias and increases reliability.
 Disadvantages:
o May overlook context or unexpected behaviors.
o Can be intrusive and alter the natural behavior of subjects.
Unstructured Observations:
 Definition: More flexible, with the observer noting all behaviors or events without a
predetermined system.
 Advantages:
o Captures comprehensive and nuanced data.
o Allows for the discovery of new patterns or behaviors.
 Disadvantages:
o Data can be difficult to categorize and analyze.
o Increased risk of observer bias.

3. Questionnaires
Structured Questionnaires:
 Definition: Consist of closed-ended questions with predefined answer choices.
 Advantages:
o Easy to administer and analyze.
o Ensures uniformity in responses, making comparisons straightforward.
 Disadvantages:
o Limits the depth of responses.
o May not capture all relevant information.
Unstructured Questionnaires:
 Definition: Comprise open-ended questions, allowing respondents to answer in their own
words.
 Advantages:
o Provides rich, detailed insights.
o Can uncover new information and perspectives.
 Disadvantages:
o More time-consuming to complete and analyze.
o Responses may be harder to quantify and compare.
Understanding the strengths and limitations of both structured and unstructured methods is
crucial for selecting the appropriate approach based on the research objectives and context.

Double Blind Procedures


Double-blind procedures are used in experiments to eliminate bias:
1. Definition:
o Neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular
treatment.
o Helps prevent bias in research results.
2. Applications:
o Commonly used in clinical trials to test the effectiveness of new medications.
o Also used in psychological experiments to ensure unbiased responses.
3. Advantages:
o Reduces placebo effect, where participants' expectations influence their outcomes.
o Minimizes experimenter bias, where researchers' expectations affect the study.
4. Challenges:
o Requires careful planning and execution.
o Can be more complex and costly than single-blind or open-label studies.

Difference between Single-blind and Double-blind procedure


Single-blind procedure:
 Only the participants are unaware of which group (experimental or control) they are in.
 The researchers know the group assignments.
Double-blind procedure:
 Both the participants and the researchers do not know who is in the experimental or
control group.
 Eliminates bias from both participants and researchers.
Incidence and Prevalence Studies
Incidence and prevalence are key epidemiological measures used to understand the occurrence of
diseases:
1. Incidence:
o Refers to the number of new cases of a disease or condition in a specific
population during a defined period.
o Incidence Rate: The number of new cases per population at risk in a given time
period (often expressed per 1,000 or 100,000 people per year).
o Useful for studying the risk of developing a disease.
2. Prevalence:
o Refers to the total number of cases (both new and existing) of a disease or
condition in a specific population at a given time.
o Point Prevalence: The number of cases at a specific point in time.
o Period Prevalence: The number of cases during a specific period.
o Useful for understanding the burden of a disease in a population.
3. Applications:
o Incidence Studies: Used to identify risk factors and causes of diseases, evaluate
the effectiveness of interventions, and guide public health policies.
o Prevalence Studies: Used to plan healthcare services, allocate resources, and
monitor public health trends.
4. Examples:
o Incidence Study: Researching the number of new COVID-19 cases in a city over
a month.
o Prevalence Study: Estimating the number of people living with diabetes in a
country at a specific time.
Understanding these concepts is crucial for conducting and interpreting research in fields such as
medicine, public health, and social sciences.

Importance of Sampling in Data Collection


1. Efficiency and Cost-effectiveness:
o Sampling allows researchers to gather information from a subset of a larger
population, making the data collection process more manageable and less
expensive. Studying the entire population (census) can be impractical, time-
consuming, and costly, especially for large populations.
2. Accuracy and Precision:
o Properly designed samples can provide accurate and reliable results that are
representative of the entire population. This helps in drawing valid conclusions
without the need for exhaustive data collection. Well-conducted sampling reduces
the margin of error and increases the precision of estimates.
3. Feasibility and Practicality:
o Sampling makes it feasible to conduct studies within a reasonable timeframe and
with available resources. It allows researchers to focus on collecting high-quality
data from a smaller group, ensuring more in-depth and detailed analysis. This
approach is particularly beneficial when the population is vast or geographically
dispersed.

You might also like