METHODS AND TOOLS OF

DATA COLLECTION

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Sources of Data
 The two main sources of data in social
science research are ‘people’ and
‘paper’.
The responses of questions put to
people constitute the major sources of
data in social research.
This source is labeled as primary
source of data.

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Sources of Data……..
A large amount of data is already
available in the form of ‘paper’ sources.
This includes documents, historical
records, diaries, biographies, statistical
records etc.
The ‘paper’ sources are commonly
known as secondary sources of data or
‘available data source’.

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Sources of Data…….
When a researcher decides to collect
data through primary source he has
three options, namely, observation,
interview and questionnaire.
In case he/she opts for secondary
source of data he uses the method of
content analysis.

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Methods of Primary Data Collection
Following three methods are employed
in collecting data from primary
sources:
1. Observation
2. Interview
3. Questionnaire
For secondary source of data method of
content analysis is used.

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TOOLS OF DATA COLLECTION
OBSERVATION :
◦ Observation Schedule
◦ Video Camera
INTERVIEW :
◦ Structured : Interview Schedule
◦ Unstructured :Interview Guide
QUESTIONNAIRE

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QUESTIONNAIRES

It is a series of questions asked to

individuals to obtain relevant
information about a given topic.
When properly constructed and
responsibly administered,
questionnaires become a vital
instrument by which statements can be
made about specific groups, or people,
or entire populations.

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QUESTIONNAIRES

Questionnaires are frequently used in

quantitative research.
They are a valuable method of
collecting a wide range of information
from a large number of individuals,
often referred to as respondents.

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QUESTIONNAIRES

Questionnaire construction is critical to

the success of a research study.
Inappropriate questions, incorrect
ordering of questions, incorrect scaling,
or bad questionnaire format can make
the research valueless, as it may not
accurately reflect the views and
opinions of the participants.

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Questionnaires
Questionnaires are the most
commonly used tool in quantitative
research.
It should be reliable and valid so
that it yields reliable and authentic
data.

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Types of Questionnaires
A distinction can be made between
questionnaires with questions that
measure separate variables, and
questionnaires with questions that
are aggregated into either a scale
or index.

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Types of Questionnaires…….
Questionnaires within the
former category are commonly
part of surveys, whereas
questionnaires in the latter
category are commonly part of
tests.

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Types of Questionnaires…..
Questionnaires with questions that
measure separate variables, could for
instance include questions on:
facts (e.g. age)
preferences (e.g. hospitals)
behaviors (e.g. attendance)

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 Types of Questionnaires……

Questionnaires with questions that are

aggregated into either a scale or index, include
for instance questions that measure:
latent traits (e.g. quality of life)
attitudes (e.g. towards working women)
an index (e.g. Kuppuswamy's SES Scale
for 2014 )

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Questionnaire Construction
Six steps are employed to
construct a questionnaire that
will produce reliable and valid
results.

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Questionnaire…..
First, one must decide what kind of
information should be collected.
Second, one must decide how to
administer the questionnaire.
Thirdly, one must prepare a first draft
of the questionnaire.

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Questionnaire…..
Fourth, the questionnaire should be
revised after consulting subject experts.
Next, the questionnaire should be
pretested.
Finally, the questionnaire should be
edited and the procedures for its use
should be specified.

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 Questionnaire…..

We ought to know what we want to study.

Then we have to identify and define the
variables and make it ‘observable’ .
The process is called Conceptualisation’ and
‘Operationalisation’.

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Conceptualisation
Conceptualisation is the
process through which we
specify precisely what we
will mean when we use
particular ‘concept’ or
‘construct’ as variables.

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To illustrate……….
Suppose we want to study
“Sex Discrimination against
Women at Work ”.
The construct involved in
the problem is “Sex
Discrimination”.

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Defining “Sex Discrimination”
Sex discrimination may be defined as
withholding of certain rewards or
facilities with regard to employment on
the basis of sex.
In other words, it refers to providing
women workers with fewer rewards or
facilities than legitimately deserved.

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INDICATORS OF SEX DISCRIMINATION

◦ Access to Employment,
◦ Treatment at workplace,
◦ Wage difference,
◦ Promotions.

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PROGRESSION OF MEASUREMENT

Conceptualisation

Operational Definition

Measurements in the Real World

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Operational Definition
Before we collect data on our
variables, we must first
translate those variables into
observable terms.
The term operational
definition refers to that
translation.
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Operational Definition
Sex discrimination may be
ascertained by differential
access to employment,
treatment at workplace,
salaries and promotions.

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Measurements in the Real World
Now we can measure the construct
“Sex Discrimination” by asking
questions on :
-Access to employment,
-Treatment at workplace,
-Salaries and
-Promotions.

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Questions…..
Q. Is there any difference of salaries
between a male and female employee
having same kind of work in your
organisation?
Q. Does your employer show any preference
to male/female candidate while
recruitment.
Q. Does your employer make any
discrimination against you with respect
to men employees on the basis of sex?

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Questions…..
Q. Does your employer make any
discrimination against women in
cases of promotion?
Q. Do employers prefer men because
women take more sick leave and
quit more readily?

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Questions…..
Q. Do employers feel that women
can't cope with stressful situations
like men can ?
Q. Do employers believe that most
women are too emotional to be able to
handle positions of great
responsibility?

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FORMAT OF QUESTIONS / RESPONSES
 Dichotomous Questions
 Open–end Questions
 Closed–end Questions
 Contingency Questions
 Matrix Questions
 Multiple Choice Questions
 Multiple Response Questions
 Factual Questions
 Opinion Questions

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 Dichotomous Questions

A question which will have ‘two’

and ‘only two answers’.
Q. What is your sex?
Male / Female
Q. Are you married?”
Yes / No

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 Open–end questions
Q. What was the attitude of the authorities regarding
maternity leave in your case or may be in someone else's
case?
1) He readily gave maternity leave ( )
2) He was hesitant to give maternity leave ( )
3) He was terribly annoyed ( )
4) He gave leave but warned . ( )
5) Any other, please specify, ____________________ ( )

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 CLOSED–END QUESTIONS

Q. Why do you work?

1) To supplement the family income. ( )
2) To have independent income of one's own. ( )
3) To achieve a position or status of one's own. ( )
4) To utilize plenty of spare time. ( )
5) To be away from the unhappy atmosphere of home. ( )
6) To escape from domestic work. ( )

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 Contingency Questions

Q. Are you married?

Yes / No
Q. If yes, how many children do
you have?
One/Two/Three/……/Not Applicable

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 Matrix Questions
Q. What do you think about the following welfare services
at your work place?

Satis Fairly Satis-Unsatis-

factory factory factory
• 1) Crèches ( ) ( ) ( )
• 2) Maternity Benefits ( ) ( ) ( )
• 3) Canteen (common) ( ) ( ) ( )
• 4) Canteen (separate) ( ) ( ) ( )
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 Multiple Choice
Q. Which one of the following is the reason
for continuing the present job?
a. Nature of work
b. Duration of work
c. Wages/Salary
d. Promotion

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 Multiple Response
Q. Why do you work?
1) To supplement the family income.
2) To have independent income of one's own.
3) To achieve a position or status of one's own.
4) To utilize plenty of spare time.
5) To be away from the unhappy atmosphere of home. .
6) To escape from domestic work and get freedom to
mix with people.

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 FORMAT OF QUESTION / RESPONSE………

 FACTUAL QUESTION

Q. What is your age?

 OPINION/ATTITUDE QUESTION

Q. “Child labour should be banned”.

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QUESTIONS TO BE AVOIDED
 Leading Questions
Q. Is it true……?
Q. Do you agree with…..?
Q. Are you satisfied with….. ?

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Threatening Questions
Questions that inquires about the
respondent's gambling habits, drinking
habits, child abuse or sexual
behaviours.

Q. Do you drink?

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 QUESTIONS TO BE AVOIDED
Double Barelled Questions
Q. Have you stopped beating your
wife?
Q. Do you think urbanisation leads to
the breaking up of the family and
makes an individual extremely selfish?

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ANSWERS TO BE AVOIDED
No Response
Don’t know
Indifferent
Undecided

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