Business and Management Research

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Lecture 7

Data collection

Steps in the research process

• The execution phase of the research processbegins with data collection

Data collection• After preparing a suitable sample, the researcher collects the data from the units in this sample.

• It is very important that the data are collected without any errors.

• Data collection errors may arise if questions are asked in a wrong way.

•Data collection is done in two stages:• pre-testing : collecting data from a small sample to test whether the data collection plan for the main study is appropriate • the main study.

Methods of data collection 1. Primary data collection: data which are collected for the first time and are original

2. Secondary data collection: Data which have been collected by some other researchers and published.

• Primary data is collected through: 1. Observation2. Interview3. Questionnaire4. Mail survey5. Online survey

Methods of data collection

• Important sources of secondary data include:

1.Official report of the local government.

2. Official publications of the foreign governments such as UN

3. News papers and books

Online survey tools

•Survey Monkey (www.surveymonkey.com) is a popular online survey tool

• It is designed to be easy to use

• Its ease of use may account for its relative popularity

Online survey tool- Survey Monkey