Methods of data collection

Course Instructor: Submitted by:

Prof. A. K. Singh Dilip Kumar Dash

Dept. of Exten. Education M. Sc. (Previous)

IAS, BHU Dept. of Exten. Edu.

IAS, BHU

CONTENT• Introduction

• Methods of data collection

A) Primary data collection

1: Observation method

2: Interview/Questionnaire method

3: Case study method

4: Projective techniques

5: Sociometery

B) Secondary data collection

• Conclusion

INTRODUCTION:

Data are special type of information, generally obtained through observation, surveys, enquiries, or are generated as a result of human activity.

Primary Data are collected afresh & for the first time, specially for the designated study.

Secondary Data have already been collected & compiled by someone else.

Observation Method:This method can used in both experimental and non

experimental, social and anthropological research. Scientific observation is a methodical way of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrence, often involving some sort of measurement. Scientific observation should be specific, and recorded immediately.

Types of Observation: Structured and unstructured observation: Participant, quasi-participant and non-participant obs : Controlled and non-controlled observation:

Structured observation: When the observation is characterized by a careful

definition of the units to be observed, the manner of recording the observed information, standardized condition of observation and the selection of pertinent data of observation is called as structured observation.

Greater control of sampling. Measurement of error. Permits stronger generalizations and checks on reliability

and validity. This is more like a survey, where every respondent is

asked the same set of questions. But in this case, questions are not asked. Instead, particular types of behavior are looked for and counted.

Unstructured Observation:Early phase of the researchMay become specific to when and where to observe,

what specific aspects of the setting or behavior to observe, and how to make and record observations.

oHow to do unstructured observation

i. Take a notebook and pen.

ii.Note down when you see something interesting.

iii.Write down theories as you form them.

iv.Don’t jump to conclusions straight away.

v.Look for more evidence.

vi.Ask people to confirm things.

Participant observation:This depend on degree of involvement of the

researcher, the researcher who may be an outsider, while observing the group, also play the role of a group member.

Observer participates actively, for an extended period of time.

May require observer to live or work in that areaAssumes that observer will become accepted

member of the group or community.Historically field research has been associated

most strongly with participant observation.

Quasi-participant observation:In the absence of any standard set of

relationship or role patterns for the outsider who is always present and never participating, both the group and the outsider are likely to feel uncomfortable.

In this the observer assumes several role.Sometimes he is a participant, at other times he

is in the role of an interviewer, a stranger or a listener.

Nevertheless, he makes clear to the group that his purpose is to gather facts.

Non-participant observation:In non participant observation, the

researcher observe the group or community. While maintaining physical and psychological isolation from them.

Observer is an eavesdropper. Someone who attempts to observe people without interacting with them without their knowledge that they are being observed.

Used most routinely by psychologists studying children and animals.

Controlled observation: When observation take place according to a

definite pre-arranged plan, involving experimental procedure.

The observer’s bias is the crucial weakness.Various techniques can be used to remove

this bias such as interaction-analysis techniques, simple testing, scoring devices etc.

Controlled observations may be carried out both in natural and contrived situations and in either case those observed may or may not be aware of the observation.

Non-controlled observation:When the researcher observes the behavior

and activities of a group under natural condition without any stimulation from outside.

The observer can easily check the correctness of his information as often as desired.

Since the period of participation continues for months, the range of material collected is much wider than collected by any other method.

An unobtrusive participant observer secures access to many new variables and processes.

Interview method:

The data is collected by presenting stimuli to the respondents in the form of questions for eliciting appropriate responses from them.

1. Unstructured interview a method of interviews where questions can be changed to meet the respondent’s intelligence, understanding...2. Structured interview The interviewer has a standard set / sequence of questions that are asked of all candidates.• Interviewers read the questions exactly as they appear on the survey questionnaire. 3-Focussed interview: some specific issue, occurrence, experience or event is taken into consideration, instead of general aspect of the situation manageable number.

4. Behavioral interviewIn behavioral interviews, candidates are asked to explain their skills, experience, activities etc. as examples of your past behavior.5. Stress interviewThe stress interview is designed to find applicants who can handle stress, and handle it well.

6. Situational interviewUtilizes hypothetical events in the form of a question. Candidates are asked how they would react if they encountered that event.

7. Phone interview Is a method which is conducted by telephone.

8. One to one interviewFace to Face interview (one to one interview) is most common interview method and just involves interviewer and interviewee alone in a private office.

9. Group interview All the candidates/job seekers will be in the same room during the interview.

10. Panel interview a technique that allows several member of a hiring company to interview a interviewee at the same time. 11. Screening interview are generally conducted when an employer has a large applicants which they want to narrow down.

Advantages:

1: More likelihood of getting response.

2: More accurate.

3: Can get responses even from illiterate persons.

4: Can get some spontaneous responses.

5: The questions may be explained when necessary.

Limitations:

1: Not suitable for a large no respondent.

2: Not suitable for large geographical area.

3: Involves more time and cost.

4: Bias of interviewer may creep in.

Case Study Method:

Case study as an empirical inquiry that investigate a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context, when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident, & in which multiple sources of evidence are used.

Steps In Conducting a Case Study:

Step 1: Define location a case to be studied.

Step 2: Collection of data.

Step 3: Treatment and interpretation of the data.

Step 4: Conclusion and documentation,

Advantages:

1: Depends our perception.

2: Give clear insight into life.

3: Makes possible study of social change.

4: Represent a real record of personal experiences.

5: Help in the construction of interview schedule.

questionnaire & formulation of hypothesis.

6: Enhance the experiences of researcher.

Limitations:

1: One case is almost different from other.

2: Affected by personal bias,ability and judgement.

3: Can use only in a limited sphere.

4: More expenditure of time and money.

Projective Techniques:

Method of exposing an individual to a situation in which the person is giving information tends unconsciously to project a part of his personality and in the process reveal the inner mind.

Forms:

Word association test.

Sentence completion test.

Story completion test.

Error choice & information test.

Pictorial technique.

Role play technique.

Rorschach ink blot test.

Thematic appreciation test.

Sociometery: It is a method used for the discovery and

manipulation of social configurations by measuring the attractions and repulsions between individuals in a group at some point in time.

The basic technique in sociometry is the “sociometric test”. The test consists in having each member as a group choose from all other members those with whom he prefers to live, eat, work or otherwise associate in specific situations. Sociometric studies reveal that certain persons are chosen for all situations, but frequently entirely different individuals are preferred for each type of activity. The diagrammatic representation of the sociometeric data is the sociogram.

Collection of Secondary Data:

1: Publication of central, state or local government.

2: Publication of international organizations and foreign governments.

3: Journals, magazines and books.4: Reports and publication.5: Report of research scholars, universities,

research institutes and organizations.6: Public records, statistics and historical

documents.7: Personal collection from individuals.

Conclusion:

• In the design and conduct of a socio-economic investigation, emphasis should be placed on assuring data quality. Deficiencies in primary data, can not be compensated by any amount of sophistication in sampling and analysis of data.

References:

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_collection www.sociologyguide.com/research-methods &

statistics/observation.php Ghosh, B. N. (1991) Scientific Methods And Social

Research, Srerling Publishing Pvt. Ltd. , New Delhi. Kothari, C. R. (2001) Research Methodology-

Methods and Techniques, Wiley Eastern Ltd., New Delhi.

Daivadeenam, P. (2002) Research Methodology in Extension Education, Agrotech Publishing Academy, Udaipur

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