THIRD SUMMATIVE TEST
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
MODULE 12
I. List 5 data collection methods that you know based on the previous lessons that you have read. Cite/give an
example for each data collection method you listed.
5 data collection methods
Interviews
Observations
Questionnaires and surveys
Focus group discussion
conclusion
Examples of the 5 data collection methods above:
1. Interviews
An interview is a standard tool of selection which is defined as a formal meeting arranged between two parties;
interviewer (the question asking party) and interviewee (the answer giving party). In general, an interview is a
verbal interaction held in order to extract necessary facts about the interviewee (applicants or candidates). An
example of it is One-on-one interview, Telephonic interview, Video-call interview, Panel interview, Group
interview and Lunch interview.
2. Observations
Observational data is a valuable form of research that can give researchers information that goes beyond
numbers and statistics. In general, observation is a systematic way to collect data by observing people in natural
situations or settings. An example of this is it’s types like:
Participant observation: the researcher is involved in the activity
non-participant observation: the researcher is separate from the activity
Simple observation: the researcher collects simple numerical data
Behavioral observation: the researcher interprets people’s behavior
Direct observation: the researcher observes an activity as it happens
Indirect observation: the researcher observes the results of an activity
Covert observation: the researcher observes secretly
Overt observation: people know the researcher is observing them
3. Questionnaires and surveys
For questionnaire it is the main instrument for collecting data in survey research. Basically, it is a set of
standardized questions, often called items, which follow a fixed scheme in order to collect individual data about
one or more specific topics. Some examples of this are:
Product Use Satisfaction Questionnaire: You can use this template to better understand your product’s
usage trends and similar products.
Company Communications Evaluation Questionnaire: Unlike the other examples, a company
communications evaluation looks at internal and external communications.
Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire: This type of research can be used in any situation where there’s an
interaction between a customer and an organization.
For Survey data it is defined as the resultant data that is collected from a sample of respondents that took a
survey. This data is comprehensive information gathered from a target audience about a specific topic to conduct
research. Some examples of this are:
Online Surveys
Face-to-face Surveys
Telephone Surveys
Paper Surveys
4. Focus Group Discussions
A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is a qualitative research method and data collection technique in which a
selected group of people discusses a given topic or issue in-depth, facilitated by a professional, external
moderator. FGDs are a good way to verify that people’s stated preferences are the same as their actual
preferences. For example, 54% of surveyed people might say that they prefer Program A. However, talking to the
group in more detail might reveal that their actual preference is Program B. (Many people answer surveys with
what they think the questioner wants to hear, rather than their actual opinions!)
5. Conclusion
Conclusion Data Collection means putting your design for collecting information into operation. You’ve decided
how you’re going to get information – whether by direct observation, interviews, surveys, experiments and
testing, or other methods. Recording and arranging information may take distinctive structures, contingent upon
the sort of data you're gathering.
