Data Collection

Instruments
 DATA COLLECTION
Collecting data is the first step you need to perform
before you proceed in writing your data analysis and
interpretation. Data collection is a systematic process of
gathering relevant information, observations, or
measurements. Whether you are performing research for
academic purposes, government or business, data
collection allows you to gain first-hand knowledge and
original insights into your research problem.
 DATA COLLECTION
While methods and aims may differ between fields,
the overall process of data collection remains largely
the same. Before you begin collecting data, you need
to consider: (1) the aim of the research; (2) the type
of data that you will collect; and (3) the methods
and procedures you will use to collect, store, and
process the data.
 DATA COLLECTION
Quantitative research instruments comprise
observation, questionnaires, test, and interviews. On the
other hand, data collection approaches for qualitative
research usually involve:
(a) direct interaction with individuals on a one-to-one
basis,
(b) and or direct interaction with individuals in a group
setting.
 DATA COLLECTION
When developing and utilizing a research instrument,
the following steps are to be considered:
1. Define the aim of your research (research question).
2. Choose your data collection method.
3. Plan your data collection procedures.
4. Collect and verify your data.
5. Present your findings.
 1. Questionnaires
DATA a. Structured
COLLECTION b. Semi-structured
METHODS c. Unstructured
d. Face-to-face
e. Online
 2. Tests
DATA a. Standardized
b. Non-standardized
COLLECTION c. Recall Questions
d. Recognition Questions
METHODS e. Open-ended Questions
f. Face-to-face
g. Online
 3. Interviews
DATA a. Face-to-face
b. Phone
COLLECTION c. Video
4. Observations
METHODS a. Controlled
b. Natural
c. Participant
 Research Instruments Questionnaires
A questionnaire is a research instrument that consists of a set of
questions that aims to collect information from a respondent. A research
questionnaire is typically a mix of close- ended questions and open-ended
questions. Open-ended, long-form questions offer the respondent the
ability to elaborate on their thoughts. The data collected from a data
collection questionnaire can be both qualitative as well as quantitative in
nature. A questionnaire may or may not be delivered in the form of a
survey, but a survey always consists of a questionnaire.
 Research Instruments Questionnaires
The terms survey and questionnaire have different meanings. A
questionnaire is an instrument used to collect data while a survey is a
process of collecting, recording, and analyzing data. Questionnaires can
be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured.
In quantitative research, questionnaires use the following approaches:
(1) scale (usually Likert scale); and
(2) conversion of responses into numerical values, e.g., strongly as 5,
agree as 4, neutral as 3, disagree as 2, and strongly disagree as 1.
 Research Instruments Questionnaires

There are three structures of questionnaires:

1. Structured questionnaires employ closed-ended questions
2. Unstructured questionnaires, on the other hand, use
open-ended
3. Semi-structured questionnaires are combinations of both
the structured and unstructured ones.
 1. Bulk data can be gathered in
less time.
2. Online surveys are quick and
Advantages of cost-effective.
3. Less chance of bias.
Using 4. Respondents can answer the
questionnaire without revealing
Questionnaire their identity.
5. Easy analysis and
visualization
 1. Questionnaires may not be
returned on time.
2. Questionnaires may be lost.
Disadvantages 3. Understanding and interpretation
of the questions varies by the
participants.
of Using 4. Participants may not be able to
complete the required responses.
5. Emotions and feelings are hard
Questionnaire to convey.
6. Participants’ answers may lack
depth.
 Guidelines in Using Questionnaires for
Data Collection
1. Determine the data to be collected.
2. Determine the method to be used in administering the questionnaire such as
face-to-face or online method.
3. Divide your questionnaire into two or three parts.
a. Personal information. This section contains background information about the
participants. (Names are optional)
b. Main section. This lists the specific questions or indicators.
c. Open-ended question section. This contains additional information that might
be needed. (This applied only for quantitative research)
 Guidelines in Using Questionnaires for
Data Collection
4. Make sure to provide specific and clear directions for respondents in answering
the questionnaire.
5. Decide on the questionnaire structure, type of questions and response format.
Evaluate the questions and options and make sure that they are aligned with
specific research questions or objectives.
6. Decide on using simple terms, avoid negative statements, leading, biased, double
barred, or sensitive questions and make a brief, clear, and concise questionnaire.
7. Begin with the general questions first followed by the specific ones.
 Guidelines in Using Questionnaires for
Data Collection
8. Predetermined responses should match the nature of the questions.
a. If the content is about quality, use quality (excellent, very good, good, poor) Later,
these responses will be translated into numerical values (e.g. five-point Likert scale)
b. If questions are about frequency, use frequency (always, frequently, sometimes,
seldom, never)
c. If the content is about belief, use agreement (strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree,
strongly disagree)
d. If the questionnaire is about behavior, use extent (very great extent, great extent,
moderate extent, small extent, none at all)
 Guidelines in Using Questionnaires for
Data Collection
9. If possible, set an appointment before distributing the
questionnaires.
10. Attach a cover letter to the questionnaire especially for
agency connected respondents.
11. Contact participants who did not return the questionnaire.
12. Tally and encode the data immediately once you have collected
it. Keep a soft copy of your data.
Tests are used for measuring
various skills and types of
behavior, personality,
achievement, performance, as
well as for describing some
characteristics. It is also used
to develop to measure
specific knowledge, skill, or
cognitive activity. There are
two types of tests used in
quantitative research:
standardized test and non-
standardized test.
 a test that is given to a group of
people such as students or
professionals in a very consistent
manner; meaning that the questions
on the test are all the same, the
Standardized time given to each test-taker is the
same, and the way in which the test
is scored is the same for all. It is
test considered as more reliable and valid.
Examples are Licensure Exam,
Achievement test, College/University
Entrance Exam, Personality Tests, IQ
test and the likes.
 a test that allows for an
assessment of an
individual's abilities or
NON- performances but
doesn't allow for a fair
comparison of one
Standardized individual to another.
This test is very simple
to use and may not be
test scored uniformly. It is
administered to a
certain set of people.
 1. Recall Questions. It requires participants
to recall information from memory (e.g.,
fill- in-the blank test, identification test,
enumeration test, etc.)
2. Recognition Questions. It allows
Types of Test participants to select from given choices
the best or correct choice (e.g., multiple-
choice test, true or false test, yes or no
Questions test, etc.)
3. Open-ended Questions. It allows the
participants more freedom in their
responses, expressing their thoughts and
insights (e.g., essay writing tests and
other performance-based tests.
 A. Identification- the participants will
provide an answer to the question
using simple memory recall.
Example: What do you call an angle
whose measurement is 90 degrees?
B. Enumeration- the participants will
list down the answers or steps
RECALL TESTS Example: List down the steps in solving
a problem.
C. Cloze Test – the participants will
supply an answer to the blank spaces.
Example: The graph of a quadratic
function is a
__________________________.
 A. Matching Type- the participants will
match the answers from column A to
column B by drawing a line.

Example: Match the terminologies in

Column A with their synonyms in
RECOGNITION Column B.

TESTS Column A
Measurement is
Column B

1. Acute Angle A. 90 degrees

2. Right Angle B. less than 180 degrees but greater than 90

3. Obtuse Angle C. less than 90 degrees but greater than 0

 B. Multiple Choice- the participants will choose
the correct/best answer from the given
options.
Example: Which of the following does NOT
belong to the group?

RECOGNITION A. Acute Angle B. Right Angle

B. Obtuse Angle D. Depressed Angle
C. Dichotomous Type (True or False, Yes or

TESTS No)- the participants will select only one

option either yes or no or true or false.
Example: Write TRUE on the space before
each number if the statement is correct and
FALSE if it is incorrect.
_____ 1. 140 degrees angle is acute.
 A. Performance-based- the
participants are expected to
perform a given task.
Example: Create a video
presentation showing the step-by-
step process of solving quadratic
OPEN-ENDED equations.
B. Non-performance based- the
participants may answer orally or
TESTS in a written manner.
Example: Explain the mathematical
procedures you apply to
transform the given quadratic
equation to standard form.
 Interviews
Quantitative interviews are sometimes referred to as survey interviews (structured
type) because they resemble survey-style question-and-answer formats where a large
sample size is used. It may be recorded, but because questions tend to be closed ended,
taking notes during the interview is less disruptive than it can be during a qualitative
interview.
If a quantitative interview contains open-ended questions, however, recording the
interview is advised. It may also be helpful to record quantitative interviews if a researcher
wishes to assess possible interview effect which means that the responses of the
participants may be affected by the behavior displayed by the researcher on the manner
that the questions are presented. This type of interview uses a rating scale or rubric and
responses are numerical.
 Interviews
Qualitative interviews are sometimes called intensive or in-depth interviews.
These interviews are informal, unstructured, semi-structured or focus group
discussions (FGD). The researcher has a particular topic about which he or she
would like to hear from the respondent, but questions are open ended and may not
be asked in the same way or in exactly the same order to each and every
respondent.
In in-depth interviews, the primary aim is to hear from respondents about what
they think is important about the topic at hand and to hear it in their own words.
So, no rating scale or rubric is needed. Responses are non-numerical.
 Interviews
The questionnaire and quantitative interview are both highly structured,
but here’s a difference between the two:
In quantitative interviews, (1) the items are read to the participants; (2)
participants and researchers may ask questions; (3) helpful to blind or
uneducated participants while in questionnaires,
(1) the participants read the questions and answer on their own;
(2) the participants and researchers may not ask further questions;
(3) not useful to blind or uneducated participants.
 OBSERVATIONS
Observation is a way of gathering data which involves
systematically selecting, watching, listening, reading, touching, and
recording behavior and characteristics of living beings, objects, or
phenomena. Observations can be controlled, natural, or
participant. It can be used in quantitative research when the
observable characteristics are quantitative in nature (e.g. length,
width, height, weight, volume, area, temperature, cost, level, age,
time, and speed).
 OBSERVATIONS
Observation has greater flexibility in the observation method.
However, observation may lack participant validity and may be
prone to the Hawthorne effect phenomenon (when subjects of an
experimental study attempt to change or improve their behavior
simply because it is being evaluated or studied). Furthermore, it is
more exhausting and time-consuming, especially when
observations need to be conducted for many years.
 Forms of Observation
1. Controlled observation is a form of observation where researchers
watch participants in a contained environment, such as a classroom or a
laboratory. In a controlled study, the researcher pre-determines and
controls the study variables and determines the location, the time, the
participants, and the tools used to complete the study. It is usually used
in experimental research and is done under a standard procedure. It
provides more reliable data (obtained through structured and well-
defined processes). Lastly, the observer performs a non-participant role
(i.e. does not interact with the participants).
 Forms of Observation
2. Natural Observation is a form of observation that involves observing
subjects in their natural environment. It can be used if conducting lab
research would be unrealistic, cost-prohibitive, or would improperly
affect the subject's behavior. It is carried out in a non-controlled setting.
It has greater ecological validity (i.e. flexibility of the findings to be
generalized to real-life contexts Its major limitation is its strength to
establish a causal relationship due to the presence of extraneous
variables which can affect the behavior of the participants
 Forms of Observation
3. Participant Observation is a form of observation wherein the
researcher becomes a complete observer or a participant in the study
through the experience of spending time with a group of people and
closely observing their actions, speech patterns, and norms, which in turn
the researcher can gain an understanding. It allows the observer to
become a member of the group or community that the participants
belong to. It can be performed covertly (i.e., participants are not aware
of the purpose behind the observation. It can be done also overtly,
wherein participants know the intention or objectives of the observation
 Different Roles of a Researcher
during a Participant Observation
1. Complete Observer
This is a detached observer where the researcher is
neither seen nor noticed by participants. It’s one way of
minimizing the Hawthorne Effect as participants are more
likely to act naturally when they don’t know they’re being
observed.
 Different Roles of a Researcher
during a Participant Observation
2. Complete Participant
This is a fully embedded researcher, almost like a spy. Here
the observer fully engages with the participants and
partakes in their activities. Participants aren’t aware that
observation and research is being conducted, even though
they fully interact with the researcher.
 Different Roles of a Researcher
during a Participant Observation
3. Observer as Participant
Here the researcher is known and recognized by the
participants and in many cases, the participants know the
research goals of the observer. There is some interaction
with the participants, but the interaction is limited. The
researcher’s aim is to play a neutral role as much as possible.
 Different Roles of a Researcher
during a Participant Observation
4. Participant as Observer
Here the researcher is fully engaged with the participants.
She is more of a friend or colleague than a neutral third
party. While there is full interaction with participants, they
still know that this is a researcher.
Guidelines in Conducting an
Observation
 Google Forms
are free online
USEFUL forms that allows
ONLINE the researcher
to construct,
TOOLS administer, and
analyze surveys.
 Step 1: Set up a
new form or quiz
Step-by-step on 1. Go to
how to use the forms.google.com.
2. Click Blank.
google forms: 3. A new form will
open.
 Step 2: Edit and format a
form or quiz (You can
add, edit, or format text,
Step-by-step on images, or videos in a
form.)
how to use the 1. Edit your form.
2. Create a quiz/survey
google forms: with Google Forms.
3. Choose where to save
from responses.
 Step 3: Send your form
for people to fill out
1. When you are ready,
Step-by-step on you can send your form
to others and collect their
how to use the responses.

google forms:
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
1. Radio Buttons
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
2. Checkboxes
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
3. Drop Down Menus
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
4. Drag and Drop
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
5. Likert Scale
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
6. Slider Scale
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
7. Star Ranking
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
8. Net Promoter Score (NPS)
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
9. Image Select
 Different Formats of Online
Survey Tools
10. Matrix
 Ethical Considerations in Data
Collection of Quantitative Research
Ethical considerations should always be practiced when conducting
research. Researchers must ensure that respondents/
participants are treated fairly and properly, especially during
data collection. Consent form is a tool to be used that respects
the right of every participant to be informed and to make
voluntary participation during the data gathering.
 Ethical Considerations in Data
Collection of Quantitative Research
Informed Consent Form is a document whose intent is that human
participants can enter research freely (voluntarily) with full information
about what it means for them to take part, and that they give consent
before they participate in the research. This form must be accomplished
before gathering data from the participants. It must be signed both by
the researcher and the participant as they agree to the conditions
during the actual conduct of the data collection process.
 INFORMED CONSENT FORM
It usually contains the following:
1. Background of your study (Title of the Study, Purpose of the Study)
2. Name of Researchers and the Institution you are affiliated with
3. Data Collection Procedure
4. Possible discomfort or risk factors
5. Anonymity of the participants and their responses
6. Termination of Research (may refuse to participate anytime)
7. Authorization of the Participants (participants acknowledge the conditions that
they will be subject to the study)