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Strengths and Weaknesses of Data Collection Methods

Observation allows researchers to directly see behaviors without relying on self-reports, but observers can be biased and it is difficult to observe large populations. Questionnaires can quickly collect information from many people but responses may not be truthful. Interviews provide in-depth data through probing but are time-consuming and expensive. Anecdotal records are easy to collect but depend on the observer's memory and some behaviors may be overlooked.

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Mia Aurora Mahmud
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1K views

Strengths and Weaknesses of Data Collection Methods

Observation allows researchers to directly see behaviors without relying on self-reports, but observers can be biased and it is difficult to observe large populations. Questionnaires can quickly collect information from many people but responses may not be truthful. Interviews provide in-depth data through probing but are time-consuming and expensive. Anecdotal records are easy to collect but depend on the observer's memory and some behaviors may be overlooked.

Uploaded by

Mia Aurora Mahmud
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Strengths and Weaknesses

of
Data Collection Method

Observation
Strengths

Weaknesses

Can
be
used
with Cannot
observe
participants with weak verbal populations
skills

large

Allow one to directly see Possibility of observer being


what people do without biased
having to rely on what they (e.g. selective perception)
say they do.

Questionnaires
Strength

Weaknesses

Quickly and easily quantified


by either a researcher or
through the use of a
software package.

Some form of information


might be adequate to
understand.
(e.g. changes of emotion
and behaviour feelings)

Large amount of information


can be collected from a large
number of people in a short
period of time.

Might be invalid:
There is no way to tell how
truthful a respondent is
being.

Interviews
Strengths

Weaknesses

Can
provide
in-depth In-person
information by probing
expensive

interviews

are

Time-consuming to analyse
data with open-ended items

Anecdotal Records
Strengths

Weaknesses

No special training needed Depends on the memory of


for the observer
the person observing
Easy to do

May
overlook
important behaviours

some

Checklist
Strengths

Weaknesses

Easy to use

Takes a lot of time to be


prepared

Can be completed quickly

May miss some important


details that are not included

Photographs
Strengths

Weaknesses

Fun to do

Takes some technological


skill and expertise to use the
equipments

Authentic

May be interpreted wrongly

Portfolio
Strengths
See
respondent
individuals as their own
Provides
information
involved

Weaknesses
as Less reliable compared to
quantitative evaluations.

change
of Data is difficult to analyse
among those

Recording
Strengths
Cost-effective
Convenient: portable

Weaknesses
Staged
Technical difficulties

Slides
Strengths

Weaknesses

Organized in sequence

Needs some good facility


and equipment

Visually attractive

Plagiarism

Journals
Strengths

Weaknesses

Explore feelings

Might
be
(truthfulness)

Real experiences

Penmanship

invalid

Diaries
Strengths

Weaknesses

Cost-effective

Penmanship

Authenticity of information

The content is depend on


their own motivation

Logs
Strengths

Weaknesses

Can be done anywhere and Depends


on
personal
anytime
motivation to complete logs
Thoughts and feelings may Inconsistent: Loss of interest
help
participants
to
understand
their
own
learning processes.

Field notes
Strengths
Provide
record

good

Weaknesses
ongoing Time-consuming

Good field notes are very Rely on observers personal


detailed
memory and discipline to
write down

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