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Methods of Data Collection

Data collection is a systematic process of gathering information to answer research questions and evaluate outcomes, essential across all fields of study. It encompasses both qualitative and quantitative methods, each with distinct characteristics, advantages, and limitations. Mixed methods combine both approaches to leverage their strengths and mitigate weaknesses, enhancing the overall research framework.

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3 views7 pages

Methods of Data Collection

Data collection is a systematic process of gathering information to answer research questions and evaluate outcomes, essential across all fields of study. It encompasses both qualitative and quantitative methods, each with distinct characteristics, advantages, and limitations. Mixed methods combine both approaches to leverage their strengths and mitigate weaknesses, enhancing the overall research framework.

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advocateaasia52
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Concept of data collection

• Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of


interest, in an
established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test
hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes. The data collection component of research is
common to all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities, business,
etc. While methods vary by discipline, the emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest
collection remains the same. The goal for all data collection is to capture quality evidence
that then translates to rich data analysis and allows the building of a convincing and
credible answer to questions that have been posed.
Regardless of the field of study or preference for defining data (quantitative,
qualitative), accurate data collection is essential to maintaining the integrity of
research. Both the selection of appropriate data collection instruments (existing,
modified, or newly developed) and clearly delineated instructions for their correct use
reduce the likelihood of errors occurring. Data collection is one of the most important
stages in conducting a research. You can have the best research design in the world but
if you cannot collect the required data you will be not be able to complete your project.
Data collection is a very demanding job which needs thorough planning, hard work,
patience, perseverance and more to be able to complete the task successfully. Data
collection starts with determining what kind of data required followed by the selection
of a sample from a certain population. After that, you need to use a certain instrument
to collect the data from the selected sample. 1
Types of Data
• Qualitative Data: Qualitative data are mostly non-numerical and
usually descriptive or nominal in nature. This means the data
collected are in the form of words and sentences. Often (not always),
such data captures feelings, emotions, or subjective perceptions of
something. Qualitative approaches aim to address the ‘how’ and
‘why’ of a program and tend to use unstructured methods of data
collection to fully explore the topic. Qualitative questions are open-
ended. Qualitative methods include focus groups, group discussions
and interviews. Qualitative approaches are good for further
exploring the effects and unintended consequences of a program.
They are, however, expensive and time consuming to implement.
Additionally the findings cannot be generalized to participants
outside of the program and are only indicative of the group involved.

2
Characteristics
• Qualitative methods are characterized by
These methods are characterized by the following attributes –
1- They tend to be open-ended and have less structured protocols (i.e., researchers may
change the data collection strategy by adding, refining, or dropping techniques or
informants).
2-They rely more heavily on interactive interviews; respondents may be interviewed several
times to follow up on a particular issue, clarify concepts or check the reliability of data.
3- They use triangulation to increase the credibility of their findings (i.e., researchers rely on
multiple data collection methods to check the authenticity of their results).
Regardless of the kinds of data involved, data collection in a qualitative study takes a great
deal of time. The researcher needs to record any potentially useful data thoroughly,
accurately, and systematically, using field notes, sketches, audiotapes, photographs and
other suitable means. The data collection methods must observe the ethical principles of
research. The qualitative methods most commonly used in evaluation can be classified in
three broad categories -
 In-depth interview
 Observation methods
 Document review.
3
Quantitative data gathering
Quantitative data is numerical in nature and can be
mathematically computed. Quantitative data measure uses
different scales, which can be classified as nominal scale,
ordinal scale, interval scale and ratio scale. Often (not always),
such data includes measurements of something. Quantitative
approaches address the ‘what’ of the program. They use a
systematic standardized approach and employ methods such
as surveys and ask questions. Quantitative approaches have
the advantage that they are cheaper to implement, are
standardized so comparisons can be easily made and the size
of the effect can usually be measured. Quantitative approaches
however are limited in their capacity for the investigation and
explanation of similarities and unexpected differences.
4
characteristics
The Quantitative data collection methods rely on
random sampling and structured data collection
instruments that fit diverse experiences into
predetermined response categories. They
produce results that are easy to summarize,
compare, and generalize. If the intent is to
generalize from the research participants to a
larger population, the researcher will employ
probability sampling to select participants.

5
Techniques
• 1-Experiments/clinical trials.
• 2- Observing and recording well-defined events (e.g., counting the number
of patients waiting in emergency at specified times of the day).
• 3- Obtaining relevant data from management information systems. 4-
Administering surveys with closed-ended questions (e.g., face-to face and
telephone interviews, questionnaires etc). 
• 5- In quantitative research (survey research), interviews are more
structured than in Qualitative research. In a structured interview, the
researcher asks a standard set of questions and nothing more. Face -to -
face interviews have a distinct advantage of enabling the researcher to
establish rapport with potential participants and therefore gain their
cooperation.
• 6- Paper-pencil-questionnaires can be sent to a large number of people
and saves the researcher time and money. People are more truthful while
responding to the questionnaires regarding controversial issues in
particular due to the fact that their responses are anonymous 6
Mixed –method data collection
• Mixed Methods: Mixed methods approach as
design, combining both qualitative and
quantitative research data, techniques and
methods within a single research framework.
Mixed methods approaches may mean a
number of things, i.e. a number of different
types of methods in a study or at different
points within a study or using a mixture of
qualitative and quantitative methods.
weaknesses that stem from using a single
research design. 7

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