Research Tools and Techniques

The Research Process: Step 6 (Research Design – Element 9 Data Collection Methods – Questionnaire Design)

Lecture 19

Lecture Topics Covered Previously in the Last Lecture

• Goodness of Measures

• Reliability and Validity of Measures

What we are going to Cover in this Lecture

• Introduction to Data Collection Methods

• Principles of Questionnaire Design

THE RESEARCH PROCESS

                     

 

(1).Observation The Broad Problem Area         (2).Preliminary Data GatheringInterviews and Library Search          

(3).

Problem Definition

 (4).TheoreticalFramework

VariablesIdentification

(5)

Generation of Hypothesis

(6).ScientificResearchDesign

(7).Data Collection and Analysis

(8)Deduction

(9).

Report Writing

(10).

Report Presentation

(11).

Managerial Decision Making

THE ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH DESIGN

2. Type of Investigation

Establishing:CausalRelationshiporCo-relational

1. Purpose of Study

•Exploratory•Descriptive•Hypothesis

Testing•Case Study

3. Extent of ResearcherInterference

•Minimal•Moderate•Excessive

4. Study Setting

•Contrived

•Non-Contrived

10. Test Application

Feel forData

Goodness of Data

HypothesesTesting

6.Unit of Analysis(Population to be

studied)

IndividualsDyads

GroupsOrganizations

Machinesetc.

7. SamplingDesign

ProbabilityNon-probabilitySample Size (n)

8. Time Horizon

One-Shot(Cross-Sectional)

orLongitudinal

9. Data CollectionMethods

ObservationInterview

QuestionnairePhysical

Measurement

5. Measurement& Measures

•Operational Definition•Scaling

•Categorizing•Coding

Pro

ble

m S

tate

me n

t

Data Collection Methods

I. Questionnaires and Questionnaire Design

II. Interviews

III. Observations

IV. Physical Measurement

I. Principles of Questionnaire Design

• General Appearance or Getup of a Questionnaire• Principles of Wording• Principles of Measurement

1. GENERAL APPEARANCE OR GETUP OF A QUESTIONNAIRE

Here things to remember are

a.Appearance of a Questionnaire

b.Length of a Questionnaire

c.Introduction to Respondents

d.Instructions for Completion

2. Principles of Wording

a. Content and Purpose of Questions.

b. Language and Wording of Questionnaire.

c. Type and Form of Questions.

d. Sequencing of Questions.

e. Classification Data/Personal Information/Demographic Questions.

3. Principles of Measurement

a. Scales and Scaling.

b. Categorization and Coding.

c. Goodness of Measurement: Reliability and Validity.

GENERAL APPEARANCE OR GETUP OF A QUESTIONNAIRE(Questionnaire Format)

Section 1: A good introduction A short paragraph of 3-5 lines is typed in the beginning where the

researcher introduces himself and the research topic. The language should be courteous ending with a confidentiality pledge.

Section 2: About yourself In this section the personal/demographic data of the respondent is

collected covering age, gender, job title and address etc. (Please give instructions for completion where appropriate)

Section 3: About the phenomena The questions regarding dependent and independent variables are

asked here. (Again give appropriate instructions for completion) End with a courteous statement i.e. Thank you for your help/time etc.

A Questionnaire Example with a Good Introduction

Example No. 2

Example No. 3

Summary

• Introduction to Data Collection Methods

• Principles of Questionnaire Design