Research data collection methods and tools

Presented by Likhila abraham

Data

Data are observable measurable fact that provide information about the phenomenon under study .

Data sources

1.Primary sources 2.Secondary sources a)internal b)external

Selection of methods of data collection

1.The nature of phenomenon under study2.Type of research subject

3)Purpose of research study4)Size of study sample5)Distribution of target population6)Time frame of the study7)Literacy level of subjects

8)Avilability of resourses and man power9)Researchers knowledge level and compitence

Diamensions of data collection methods

Structure

quantifiabilit

y

obtrusiveness objectivity

Methods of data collection

Self reports

Observation

Biophysiological methods

Self report methods

Unstructured and semi structured self report techniques

Unstructured or loosely structured self report method offer flexibility ,when these methods are used the researcher does not have a set of questions that must be asked in a specific order and worked in a given way.

Interview

A method of data collection in which one person ( interviewer)ask the questions to another person (respodent)which conducted either face to face or telephonically

Characteristics of interview

1)Participants and interviewer will be strangers 2)Verbal answers to the verbal questions3)Investigator records the information's from the respondents4)With a specific purpose5)Can be through telephone6)It can be modified with situations

Types of interviews1.Structured interviews2)Unstructured interviews 3)Semi structured interviews4)Focussed group interviews5)Telephonic interviews6)In depth interviews

Structured interview(directive interview)Formalized and has limited set of questionsPresented with same questions in same orderNot permitted to change any thingIncreases credibility and reliabilityMinimize context effect

Merits1.Data from 1 interview to next are comparable2.Recording or coding data does not cause problem3.Attention will not diverted4.Time consuming

DemeritsLoose the spontaneityRespondent views are minimized The scope of exploration limitted

Semi structured interview methodIn depth interview methodFocussed group interview method

Interview process

Advantages

Useful to obtain people perception,feelings,openionsHigh respondent rateOwn words are recordedDetailed questioning

DisadvantagesTime consumingDifferent interviewers may understand differently

Questionnaire

It is a self report paper and pencil instrument that a researcher asked to complete

Formats of questions

Dichotomous Multiple choice Cafeteria Rank orderContingencyRatingImportanceLikertBipolarmatrix

GuidelinesGeneral pointsSequence of questionsConstruction of questions

MethodsPostal phoneElectronicpersonal

Advantages

Easy to analyseTime consumingReduce biasCost effective

DisadvantagesNot suitable for allLow response rateProbbing not possibleChanse of interpretationCan lie

Scales and other forms of self report methods

Socio physiological scalesVignettesProjective techniquesQ sorts

Socio physiological scalesComposite scales

Likert scaleIt is a composite measure of attitudes that involve summation of score on set of itemsto which respondents are asked to indicate their disagreement or agreement

UsesTo measure attitude values and feelings of people about specific concepts ,quantifying the qualitative attributes

CharacteristicsPsychological measurement toolIllustrative in natureNeutral statementBipolar scaling methods

Scoring

statement Strongly agree

Agree Uncertain

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Positive 5 4 3 2 1

Negative 1 2 3 4 5

AdvantagesEasy to constructMore reliable and valuableEasy to administer

DisadvantagesRespondent may feel force to answer Feeling of respondent is not fully assessed Casual approach providing misleading data

Semantic differential scalesIt is a type of rating scale designed to measure the connotative meaning of objects ,events ,concepts (respondent attitude towards events)

UsesPatient satisfaction surveyEmployee surveyMarketing surveyPersonality measurement

DesignBipolar adjective pairs are used This adjectives are selected according to the survey

EvaluationGood-bad Kind –cruelWise –foolishPotencyHard-softHeavy –lightLarge-smallActivityActive-passiveFast –slowBright-dim

AdvantagesEasy to administerProvide reasonable valid reliable data .Convenient method

DisadvantagesDifficult to select the adjective pairsTime consuming

CURE

1 2 3 4 5 6 DEATH

NO PUNISHMENT

1 2 3 4 5 6 PUNISHMENT

To asess the belief about HIV?

VISUAL ANALOGOUS SCALEDEFINITIONVISUAL ANALOGOUS SCALE IS A TOOL USED TO HELP A PERSON TO RATE THE INTENSITY OF SENSATION AND FEELINGS

NO PAIN WORST PAIN

USESTO MEASURE PAIN, ANXIETY, MOODTO MEAURE ALERTNESS AND QUALITY OF SLEEP TO CHOOSE RIGHT DOSE OF MEDICINE FOR RATING SOFT VARIABLES SKILLS,CONFIDENCE QUALITY

ADVANTAGES IT IS RELIABLE AND VALIDQUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF HIGHLY SUBJECTIVE PHENOMENON

DISADVANTAGESCOMPARISON NOT POSSIBILEINCREASE OF FEELINGS CANOT MEAUREDHIGHLY SUBJECTIVE