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Data collection methods and techniques

The document outlines various data collection methods, distinguishing between primary and secondary data, with examples of each type. It details techniques for collecting primary data through structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews, as well as strategies for overcoming data quality issues. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of contextual data, questioning techniques, and the use of focus groups in research.

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Muaz Khan
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3 views

Data collection methods and techniques

The document outlines various data collection methods, distinguishing between primary and secondary data, with examples of each type. It details techniques for collecting primary data through structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interviews, as well as strategies for overcoming data quality issues. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of contextual data, questioning techniques, and the use of focus groups in research.

Uploaded by

Muaz Khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Data collection methods and techniques

Primary and Secondary Data


Primary data: Purpose
Secondary data: Data that have already been collected for
some other purpose.
Types of secondary data (Saunders)
1) Documentary secondary data
Primary data collection method/Purpose
Organizations’ databases correspondence (including
emails), minutes of meetings, reports to shareholders,
Voice/Video recordings
2) Survey-based secondary data
It refers to data collected using a survey strategy, usually
by questionnaires that have already been analysed for
their original purpose.
Governments’ surveys, Organizations’ surveys, Labour
Market Trends, Employee attitude surveys
3) Multiple-source secondary data
The key factor is that different data sets have been
combined to form another data set prior to your accessing
the data.
Longitudinal, Pooled, Panel, Cohort etc…
Collecting primary data using structured, semi-
structured, unstructured, or in-depth interviews
SI: use questionnaires based on a predetermined and
‘standardized’ or identical set of questions
SSI: Researcher will have a list of themes and questions to be
covered, although these may vary from interview to interview
USI: to explore in depth a general area in which you are
interested

Overcoming data quality issues


• Preparation
5Ps are a useful mantra: prior planning prevents poor
performance.
• Level of knowledge
organizational or situational context: Library / Internet
• Level of information supplied to the interviewee
• Appropriateness of location
• Appropriateness of the researcher’s appearance at the
interview
• Nature of the opening comments to be made when the
interview commences
to explain your research to the participant
to increase the level of confidence in your trustworthiness
• Approach to questioning:
Biasness, phrased clearly, avoid to many theoretical
concepts and jargons
• Nature and impact of the interviewer’s behavior
during the interview:
To reduce the scope for bias during the interview
Comments or non-verbal behavior, such as gestures
• Demonstration of attentive listening skills
• Scope to test understanding
You may test your understanding by summarizing an
explanation provided by the interviewee
• Cultural differences and bias
• Approach to recording data
Also, make notes as the interview progresses.
If possible, immediately after the interview has taken
place you should compile a full record of the interview.

Contextual data
• The location of the interview
• The date and time
• The setting of the interview (e.g. was the room quiet or
noisy, could you be overheard, were you interrupted?)
• Background information about the participant (e.g. role,
post title, gender);
• Your immediate impression of how well (or badly) the
interview went (e.g. was the Participant reticent, were
there aspects about which you felt you did not obtain
answers in sufficient depth?)
Questioning
Open questions
Probing questions
to explore responses that are of significance to the research
topic. To request a particular focus or direction
Specific and closed questions
Structured interview
Group Interviews
to ensure that all participants have the opportunity to state
their points of view and can generate or respond to several
ideas and evaluate them, thus helping you to explain or
explore concepts.
to develop items that are included in a survey questionnaire
Focus groups: Focus Group Interviews
is a group interview that focuses clearly upon a particular
issue, product, service, or topic.
political parties to test voter reactions to policies

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