Collection of Data

By:- firoz qureshiDept. psychiatric nursing

Data, Classification of Data According to Source, Selecting the Method of Data and Research instruments or tools.

DataThese are factual information used as a

basis for reasoning, discussion, and research.

It also pertains information, especially facts, quantities, records

or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used

to help decision-making.

Collection of Data

Primary Data and Secondary Data

Primary Data are those which are

collected for specific purpose directly from the field of enquiry and original in nature.

Such data are published by authorities who themselves are responsible for their collection.

They are original and raw.

Example: DocumentsCreative

worksInterviewsMan-made

materialsSurveys

Secondary Data This is any source

cited for its second-hand information from a different work.

It also pertains on the data which have already collected by other person who entitled to organize a data.

Example:Unpublished

thesis and dissertations

ManuscriptBooksJournals

Selecting the Method of Data

Qualitative Method and Quantitative Method

Qualitative MethodDeals with descriptions. Data can be observed but not

measured. It approximates or characterizes but does not measure the attributes, characteristics, and properties of a thing or phenomenon.

Quantitative MethodDeals with numbers. Data which can be measured. This method rely on random

sampling and structured data collection instruments that fit diverse experiences into predetermined response categories.

Research Instruments or Tools

Clerical Tools and Mechanical Tools

Clerical Tools used when researcher studies people and

gathers data on the feelings, emotions, attitudes and judgment of the subjects.

Example:Questionnai

reInterviewExperimentObservation

Mechanical Devices includes all tools that is used in

different branch of science. It is more on to measure things.

Example: Thermometers Cameras Microscopes Meter stick

Questionnaire, Advantages and Disadavantages of Questionnaire, and

Construction of a Questionnaire

Questionnaireis a list of prepared questions or

a checklist. This is usually sent of distributed

to respondents for the purpose of seeking their opinions, views, suggestions, or perceptions.

Advantages of Questionnaire Practical

Large amounts of information can be collected from a large number of people in a short period of time

Can be carried out by the researcher or by any number of people with limited affect to its validity and reliability

The results of the questionnaires can usually be quickly and easily quantified by either a researcher or through the use of a software package

Can be analysed more 'scientifically' and objectively than other forms of research

Disadvantages of Questionnaire

Lacks validity There is no way to tell how truthful a respondent is being There is no way of telling how much thought a

respondent has put in The respondent may be forgetful or not thinking within

the full context of the situation People may read differently into each question and

therefore reply based on their own interpretation of the question

Construction of a Questionnaire Doing a research with a specified topic

Talking to people with knowledge about the topic

Study the guidelines on what data should be gathered

Writing the Questionnaire Revise the Questionnaire Rewrite the Questionnaire Pre-test the Questionnaire Write the Questionnaire in the final form

Types of Questions, Guidelines in Formulation, Some Problems with

Responses, and Evidence of Misleading Questions

Types of Questions Open-ended Questions – They are used in qualitative

interviews where the respondent is made to explain why certain things is done.

Free Response Questions – They are asked in such a way that the respondent does not limit the scope of his answers or responses.

Multiple Choices – It is the most commonly used type of questioning. It is a list of a number of answers provided for every question.

Scaled Response – The respondents are given a range of categories in which to express their feelings or opinions.

Checklist – This is a form of multiple choice questions from which the respondents chooses one or more response categories.

Ranking Questions – This refers to an opinion question where the respondent is asked to rank comparatively the items listed either in ascending or descending order.

Dichotomous Question – There are only two possible answers to the questions like the Yes – No type.

Guidelines in Formulation1. Decide on the specific information needed and its sources.2. Prepare a list of sources of the specific information needed.3. Put yourself in a place of the respondents.4. Understand the sequences in which these various subjects should appear on the

questionnaire.5. Decide on the type of question to use.6. Write the actual question.7. Provide proper spaces for the answers.8. Consider the facts needed to understand the results properly.9. Examine the whole questionnaire.10. Try to time test yourself in answering the whole questionnaire.11. See if the questions are clear, interesting, and cordial.12. Reconsider the hypothesis to see if the questions are asked to answer the research

problem.13. Pre-test the questionnaire.14. Have the final form reproduced in the quality and quantity needed.

Some Problems with Responses1. Answers might be bias2. The answers might be irrelevant.3. Answers might be a guess.4. The choice of words affect responses.5. Some respondents give answers that would make

them appear good to a researcher.6. Irrelevant way of the respondents answering the

questionnaire.

Cover Letter, Evaluating Questionnaire, Interview, Purposes and Uses of the

Interview, Advantages and Disadvantages of Interview

Cover Letter – it would be a classified as a part of a questionnaire where in it

is normally written at the upper left corner of the questionnaire that entails the message of the researcher to the respondents

Things that should be seen in a cover letter would be: Purpose of the questionnaire The study itself Thing to be gathered in the questionnaire for the research Reasons it should be answered Due date of the questionnaire Guaranteed confidentiality for the respondents Expressions of thanks to the respondents

Evaluating the QuestionnaireThese are the following to consider in evaluating a

questionnaire: Grammar Format Arrangement of Questions Relevant to the Study Number of Questions Format of the Questionnaire Reliability of Questionnaire Respondents

InterviewIt is one of the major techniques in

gathering data or information. It is a conversation between two or

more people where questions are asked by the interviewer to elicit facts or statements from the interviewee.

Purposes and Uses of the Interview

The researcher could gain some insights about the study, the variables to be use, in making the hypothesis and generalize questions and the methods to be use statistically.

The researcher could add some more significance about the study.

The researcher could collect some factual data in order to be added for the support of the study.

Advantage of the Interview

Generating more valid and compete information

Interviewer can classify points or questions which are vogue to the interviewee

Seeing the sincerity in terms of answering the questions

Flexibility Greater complex questions can be asked

Disadvantage of Interview

Respondents would be hard to be contacted

Time consuming Inaccurate in terms of getting

numerical data Inaccurate due to bias data given by

the interviewee in favourable with the study

Difficult to make conclusion

Types or Classes of Interview

Types or Classes of Interview

Structured InterviewSemi-structured Interview

Unstructured Interview

Structured Interview Description and/or Aim of interview: - Normally, structured interviews are done in a face-to-face format or via telephone using a standard set of questions to obtain data that can be aggregated because identical questions have been asked of each participant.  Nature of questioning route: fixed, given order, very standardized  Type of question format/structure:1. Open-ended2. Closed-ended with ordered response choices3. Closed-ended with unordered response choices4. Partially closed-ended  Role of probing: Little or none, perhaps only repeating or clarifying

instructions

Semi – Structured Interview Description and/or aim of interview: “More or less open-ended questions

are brought to the interview situation in the form of an interview guide” (Flick, 1998 p. 94). From the beginning the focus is on gaining an understanding based on textual information obtained. The level of depth of understanding that the researcher pursues is used to characterize this type of interview.

 Nature of questioning route: flexible, but usually a given set of questions is covered, varying levels of standardization

 Type of question format/structure:1. Open-ended, yet directed at obtaining particular information (content,

topic, aspects of theory, etc.)2. In some cases, closed-ended style of questions are used Role of probing: Get the participant to expand upon their answer, give

more details, and add additional perspectives

Unstructured Interview Description and/or Aim of interview:Normally, unstructured interviews are done in a face-to-face format and some would say you are trying to get participants to share stories. The researcher starts from a position of wanting to be sensitive to how participants construct their views and perspectives of things. Therefore, a goal is to allow the participant’s structure to dominate.  Nature of questioning route: ask questions to get people to

talk about constructs/variables of interest to the researcher.  Type of question format/structure:1. Open-ended – descriptive2. Reactions to a given situation presented by the

researcher  Role of probing: Simply to get the participant of talk about a

topic area, normally probing questions are not directed, but rather asked to encourage the participant to keep talking or to get back to the subject of interest.

Interview Instrument and What to avoid in interviews

Interview Instrument1. Interview Schedule It is like a

questionnaire. Used when the

researcher knows all the item to be included in the interview about the research problem.

2. Interview Guide It only provides ideas

and allows the interviewer to freely pursue relevant topics in depth.

The items provide for flexibility in the manner, order, and language of questioning.

Steps in Interview1.Set the feeling tone for the interview2.Set up Equipment3.Prepare the Person4.Start the Tape Recorders5.Let the Interviewee Talk6.Get Consent7.  Word/Name list

What to avoid in Interviews Being unprepared Dress in a wrong manner Don’t argue with the interviewee’s answer in the

questions Don’t talk irrelevant manners Don’t unduly pressing the respondent to make a

reply Don’t appear too high above the respondent in

education, knowledge and social status. Don’t talk about irrelevant matters

Thanks for listening guys.