OBJECT

(OOMD)ORIENTED MODELLING & DESIGN

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design

Prof. Raghu B. A.
[email protected]
Dept of Computer Science and Engineering
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Ch. 3: Research Design

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Ch. 3: Research Design

Contents – Chapter 3

3.1 Meaning of Research Design

3.2 Need for Research Design
3.3 Research Design Breakdown
3.4 Important Concepts Relating to Research Design
3.5 Basic Principles of Experimental Designs
3.6 Important Experimental Designs
i) Informal Experimental Designs
ii) Formal Experimental Designs
MEANING OF RESEARCH DESIGN
Research Design is the preparation of the design of the research project.
It constitutes the blueprint for the collection, measurement and analysis of
data.
Design decisions revolve around the following questions:
1. What is the study about?
2. Why is the study being made?
3. Where will the study be carried out?
4. What type of data is required?
5. Where can the required data be found?
6. What periods of time will the study include?
7. What will be the sample design?
8. What techniques of data collection will be used?
9. How will the data be analyzed?
10. In what style will the report be prepared?
NEED FOR RESEARCH DESIGN

1. It facilitates the smooth sailing of the various research operations.

2. Making research as efficient as possible yielding maximal information

with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money.

3. We need a research design or a plan in advance of data collection and

analysis for our research project.

4. Research design stands for


advance planning of the methods to be adopted for collecting the
relevant data and

the techniques to be used in their analysis,

keeping in view the objective of the research and the availability of
staff, time and money.
RESEARCH DESIGN-BREAK DOWN

1. The sampling design

○ Deals with the method of selecting items to be observed for the
given study.
2. The observational design
○ Relates to the conditions under which the observations are to be
made.
3. The statistical design
○ Concerns with the question of how many items are to be
observed and how the information and data gathered are to be
analyzed.
4. The operational design
○ Deals with the techniques by which the procedures specified in
the sampling, statistical and observational designs can be
carried out.
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN

1. Dependent and Independent Variables

2. Extraneous Variable
3. Control
4. Confounded Relationship
5. Research Hypothesis
6. Experimental and Non-experimental Hypothesis- Testing Research
7. Experimental and Control Groups
8. Treatments
9. Experiment
10.Experimental Unit(s)
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN

Dependent and Independent Variable

Variable: A concept which can take on different quantitative values.
For example, concepts like weight, height, income, etc.
Continuous variables – phenomena which can take on quantitatively
different values even in decimal points.
For example, age.
Discontinuous or Discrete variables – If some variables can only be
expressed in integer values.
For example, no. of children.

If one variable depends upon or is a consequence of the other variable,

it is termed as dependent variable, and
the variable that is antecedent to the dependent variable is termed as
independent variable.
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
Dependent and Independent Variable

CONTINUOUS
VARIABLE
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN

DISCRETE
VARIABLE

All variables are not continuous.

Only if they are expressed in integer values they are
non continuous variables.
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN

Extraneous variable
Independent variables that are not related to the
purpose of the study, but may affect the dependent
variable are termed as extraneous variables.

Whatever effect is noticed on dependent variable as a

result of extraneous variable(s) is technically described
as ‘experimental error’.
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN

Suppose the researcher wants to test the hypothesis that there is a

relationship between student working hours and exam performances. In this
case student working hours is an independent variable and exam
performances is a dependent variable.

Intelligence may as well affect the exam performances, but since it is not
related to the purpose of the study undertaken by the researcher, it will be
termed as an extraneous variable.
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN

CONTROL :

The technical term ‘control’ is used when we design the study

minimising the effects of extraneous independent variables.
In experimental researches, the term ‘control’ is used to refer to
restrain experimental conditions.
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN

Research Hypothesis

● When a prediction or a hypothesis relationship is to be tested by scientific methods, it is

termed as ‘research hypothesis’.
● The research hypothesis is a predictive statement that relates an independent variable to a
dependent variable.
● Usually, a research hypothesis must contain at least, one independent and one dependent
variable.
● For example, “e-Learning enhances teaching learning experience”. Here, the dependent
variable is “teaching learning experience”, whereas “e-Learning” is the independent
variable.
● Listening to music lowers blood pressure level.
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN

1. Dependent and Independent Variables

2. Extraneous Variable
3. Control
4. Confounded Relationship
5. Research Hypothesis
6. Experimental and Non-experimental Hypothesis-
Testing Research
7. Experimental and Control Groups
8. Treatments
9. Experiment
10.Experimental Unit(s)
 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
Experimental and Non-experimental
Hypothesis-Testing Research
● Purpose = Test Research Hypothesis:
1) Experimental Hypothesis-testing Research – independent variable is manipulated
2) Non-experimental Hypothesis-testing Research – independent variable NOT manipulated

Example:
Effectiveness of a training programme on the student’s performance-level:
● Researcher randomly selects 50 students from a group of students who are to take a
course in statistics and then divides them into two groups by randomly assigning 25 to
Group A, the usual studies programme, and 25 to Group B, the special studies
programme.
● At the end of the course, he administers a test to each group in order to judge the
effectiveness of the training programme on the student’s performance-level.
● (Exp Hypothesis testing) Why? The type of training programme is manipulated.
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
Treatment
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH DESIGN
Basic Principles of Experimental Design

Professor Fisher has enumerated three principles of experimental

designs:

1. Principle of Replication
2. Principle of Randomization
3. Principle of Local Control
Basic Principles of Experimental Design
Basic Principles of Experimental Design
Basic Principles of Experimental Design
Basic Principles of Experimental Design
Basic Principles of Experimental Design
Basic Principles of Experimental Design
Basic Principles of Experimental Design


Principle of Local Control
 two-way analysis of variance

Treatments [variety of rice]

Extraneous factor [soil fertility]

Experimental error
 Divide the field into homogeneous parts = Blocking
 #Parts = no. of treatments planned
 Homogeneous parts
 Block = keep extraneous factor fixed
 Measure its value to check its contribution to total variability by way of two-way analysis of variance
 Eliminate the variability due to extraneous factor/s from Experimental Error [EE]
Important Experimental Design
Experimental design refers to the framework or structure of an experiment and
as such there are several experimental designs.

We can classify experimental designs into two broad categories :-

Informal Experimental Designs:
1. Before-and-after without control design.
2. After-only with control design.
3. Before-and-after with control design

Formal Experimental Designs:

4. Completely Randomized Design (C. R. Design)
5. Randomized Block Design (R. B. Design)
6. Latin Square Design (L. S. Design)
7. Factorial Designs
Important Experimental Designs
Important Experimental Design
Important Experimental Design
Important Experimental Design
Important Experimental Design
[A] Completely Randomized Design
(1) Two Group Simple Randomized Design
Important Experimental Design
[A] Completely Randomized Design
Important Experimental Design
[A] Completely Randomized Design
(2) Random Replications Design
Important Experimental Design
[B] Randomized Block Design
Important Experimental Design
[B] Randomized Block Design
Important Experimental Design
[C] Latin Square Design
Important Experimental Design
[D] Factorial Designs

[D] FACTORIALDESIGNS
 Factorial designs are used in experiments where the effects of varying
more than one factor are to be determined. They are specially
important in several economic and social phenomena where usually a
large number of factors affect a particular problem.
 Factorial designs can be of two types:
i) simple factorial designs
ii) complex factorial designs
Important Experimental Design
[D] Factorial Designs

Simple Factorial Design

 In case of simple factorial designs, we consider the effects

of varying two factors on the dependent variable, but when
an experiment is done with more than two factors, we use
complex factorial designs.
 Simple factorial design is also termed as a ‘two-factor-
factorial design’, whereas complex factorial design is known
as ‘multifactor-factorial design.’
Important Experimental Design
[D] Factorial Designs
Complex Factorial Design
 Experiments with more than two factors at a time involve the use
of complex factorial designs. A design which considers three or
more independent variables simultaneously is called a complex
factorial design.
 In case of three factors with one experimental variable having two
treatments and two control variables, each one of which having
two levels, the design used will be termed 2 × 2 × 2 complex
factorial design which will contain a total of eight cells.
FEATURES OF A GOOD RESEARCH DESIGN
A research design appropriate for a particular research problem,
usually involves the consideration of the following factors:
OBJECT
(OOMD)ORIENTED MODELLING & DESIGN

THANK YOU

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design

Prof. Raghu B. A.
[email protected]
Dept of Computer Science and Engineering
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Sampling Design

Raghu B. A.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
[email protected]
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Ch. 4: Sampling Design

Raghu B. A.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
CONTENTS

1) Introduction
2) Census survey
3) Sample survey
4) Population to Sample
5) Sample Design
6) Steps in Sample Design
7) Procedure – Sampling Technique
8) Sampling Error
9) Types of Sample Designs
a)Probability Sampling
i. Simple Random Sampling Design
ii.Complex Random Sampling Designs
b)Non probability Sampling
INTRODUCTION

● Items in field of enquiry – Universe / Population

● Enumeration of all items in population = Census Survey.

Ex: Avg monthly income of people of India

When all objects are covered -> highest accuracy

Possible? Cost, Bias?
● Census is impossible in situation where population is infinite.
● Select only few items = Sample
● Procedure for selection = Sampling Technique.
⮚ A sample is “a smaller (but hopefully representative) collection of
units from a population used to determine truths about that
population” (Field, 2005)

⮚ The sampling frame A list of all elements or other sampling units

containing the elements in a population.
POPULATION
The larger group from which individuals are selected to participate
in a study.

TARGET POPULATION
A set of elements larger than or different from the population
sampled and to which the researcher would
like to generalize study findings.
POPULATION TO SAMPLE
SAMPLING
Definition: “The process of selecting a number of individuals
for a study in such a way that the individuals represent the
larger group from which they were selected.”

Sample
SAMPLE DESIGN

● Plan for obtaining sample from a population

● Technique / procedure a researcher will adopt in
selecting sample.
● Sample design is determined before data are collected.
● Many samplle designs are available:

Some more precise and easier to apply.

Selected sample design must be reliable and appropriate
for the research study.
MAIN STEPS OF SAMPLING

1) Objective
2) Population
3) Sampling Unit and Frame
4) Size of Sample
5) Parameter of Interest
6) Data Collection
7) Non respondents
8) Selection of proper sampling design
9) Organizing field work
10)Pilot Survey
11)Budgetary Constraints
MAIN STEPS OF SAMPLING

Objective :
● Define the objective of study. It should be in proportion with
money, manpower and time.

Population (or Universe):

● Should be clearly defined.

Sampling Units and Frames:

● Sampling unit – for study

geographic unit – state, district, state or

construction unit – flat, house, or

social unit – house, flat
Source List – same as Sampling Frame
MAIN STEPS OF SAMPLING

Size of Sample
● Number of units to be selected.
● Size should be neither too large nor too small
● Optimal size –> efficiency, flexibility, reliability.

Parameters of Interest
● Statistical constants of population – parameters.
● Ex - mean population, population proportion
MAIN STEPS OF SAMPLING

Data Collection:
● Only relevant information to be collected.
● Objective to be made clear

Non respondents
● Because of practical difficulties, data may not be collected
for all sampled units.
● Non responses tend to change results
MAIN STEPS OF SAMPLING

Selection of Proper Sampling Design :

● Must decide technique in selecting the items for sample.
● Must yield less error

Organizing field work:

● Success depends on reliable field work.
● There should be efficient supervisory staff and trained
personnel for field work.
MAIN STEPS OF SAMPLING

Pilot Survey
● Try research on small scale before going to field.

Budgetary Constraints
● Cost consideration, from practical viewpoint.
● Have major impact upon decision relating to not only size
but also types of sample.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SAMPLE DESIGN

(a) Sample design must result in a truly representative sample.

(b) Sample design must be such which results in a small sampling error.
(c) Sample design must be viable in the context of funds available for the research study.
(d) Sample design must be such that systematic bias can be controlled in a better way.
(e) Sample should be such that the results of the sample study can be applied, in general,
for the universe with a reasonable level of confidence.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Ch. 4: Sampling Design

Raghu B. A.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
NEED FOR SAMPLING

Sampling --
1) Can save time & money – faster than census; less expensive, faster results.
2) Enables more accurate measurements – trained / experienced investigators.
3) Only way remaining when population is infinite.
4) Only choice left when test involves the destruction of the item (sample) under study.
5) Usually enables to estimate the sampling errors – helps to get info about some
characteristic of the population.
SAMPLING ERROR
● Only a part of population has been used
for estimation and to draw inference.
● Sampling errors are absent in census
survey
● Can be measured for a given size and
sample design = precision of sampling
plan.
● If we increase the sample size, precision
can be improved.
● Also increases cost and systematic bias.
● Sample error = Frame error + Chance
error + Response error

NON- SAMPLING ERROR

● Arises at the stage of collection and
preparation of data.
● Present in both sample & census survey
● Can be reduced by defining the sampling
unit, frame and population correctly.
● Total error = Sampling error + non
sampling error
SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
TYPES OF SAMPLE DESIGNS
TYPES OF SAMPLE DESIGNS

TYPES OF SAMPLING

PROBABILITY NON- PROBABILITY

1. Simple Random 1. Quota Sampling

Sampling
COMPLEX RANDOM
1. Systematic Sampling
2. Stratified Sampling
3. Cluster Sampling
4. Multistage Sampling
5. Sequential Sampling
SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING

● It is the purest form of probability sampling.

● Each member of the finite population has an equal probability and known
chance of being selected.
● Sampling without replacement
● When there are very large populations?
■ it is often difficult
■ impossible to identify every member of the population
■ The pool of available subjects becomes biased.
● Examples :
■ Lottery or Fishbowl
■ Survey of insect population living in woodland
■ Trees no. 1 to 1200. 10 trees are chosen at random

Random number tables available [by Tippett, Yates, Fisher]
SIMPLE RANDOM SAMPLING
COMPLEX RANDOM SAMPLING DESIGNS
SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING
● It is often used instead of random sampling.
● It is also called an Nth name selection technique.
● After the required sample size has been calculated, every Nth record is
selected from a list of population members.
● Randomness introduced in picking the start point.
● As long as the list does not contain any hidden order, this sampling
method is as good as the random sampling method.
● It’s only advantage over the random sampling technique is simplicity, easy,
cheap. And applicable for large populations.
● Systematic sampling is frequently used to select a specified number of
records from a computer file.
SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING
SYSTEMATIC SAMPLING
Example: to select a sample of 25 dorm rooms in your college hotel, make a
list of all the room numbers in the dorm.

For example if there are 100 rooms.

divide the total number of rooms (100) by the number of rooms you want
in the sample (25). The answer is 4.

This means that you are going to select every fourth dorm room from the
list.

First of all, we have to determine the random starting point.

This step can be done by picking any point on the table of room numbers,
and read across or down until you come to a number between 1 and 4.
This is your random starting point.

For instance, your random starting point is "3". This means you select dorm
room #3 as your first room, and then every fourth room down the list (3, 7,
11, 15, 19, etc.) until you have 25 rooms selected.
 STRATIFIED SAMPLING
● Chosen when sample to be drawn doesn’t constitute homogeneous group.
● Population is divided into sub-populations that are individually
homogeneous - strata
● Stratified Sampling is possible when it makes sense to partition the
population into groups based on a factor that may influence the variable
that is being measured.
● These groups are then called strata. Based on one or more characteristic.
● An individual group is called a stratum. With stratified sampling one
should:
■ partition the population into groups (strata)
■ obtain a simple random sample from each group (stratum)
■ collect data on each sampling unit that was randomly sampled from
each group (stratum)
■ Called Stratified random sampling
● Stratified sampling works best when a heterogeneous population is split
into fairly homogeneous groups.
STRATIFIED SAMPLING
STRATIFIED SAMPLING
 CLUSTER SAMPLING
● Used when population is divided into groups or clusters
● Samples are selected from groups rather than individuals which is
employed into large scale survey.

Advantages:
● Very useful when population is spread over large geographic area.
● Convenient and expedient
● Does not need names of everyone in population.
● Reduced cost

Disadvantages:
● Representation is likely to become an issue
● Less precise than random sampling.

If clusters (or groups/subdivisions) are geographic areas, then this is called

Area Sampling.
CLUSTER SAMPLING
 MULTISTAGE SAMPLING
● Selects samples using more than 1 sampling technique.
● Complex - Hence rarely used.
● Requires lot of effort, time & cost.
SEQUENTIAL SAMPLING

● Complex Sample design

● Size is not fixed in advance.
● Adopted in case of acceptance sampling.
■ When a particular lot to be accepted / rejected on basis of single sample
- single sampling
■ When decision taken on basis of 2 samples - double sampling
● When number of samples are more than two, but neither certain nor decided in
advance - Sequential Sampling
 QUOTA SAMPLING
● This is a type of non probability sampling.
● Population is divided into mutually exclusive sub groups as in stratified
sampling.
● Judgement is used to select the subject or unit from each segment based
on specified portion.
● Quota sampling is judgement samples rather than random samples.
QUOTA SAMPLING
THANK YOU

Raghu B. A.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
[email protected]
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Methods of Data Collection

Raghu B. A.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
[email protected]
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Ch. 6: Methods of Data Collection

Raghu B. A.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Ch. 6: Methods of Data Collection

CONTENTS

1) Introduction
2) Collection of Primary Data
3) Types of Collection of Primary Data
a)Observation Method
b)Interview Method
c)Through Questionnaires
d)Through Schedules
Differences
a) Collection of Secondary Data
b) Selection Criteria
DATA COLLECTION
Primary Data Collection :

● Fresh
● First Time
● Original in character

Secondary Data Collection :

● Already collected by some one
● Already passed through statistical process
SURVEY Vs EXPERIMENT
COLLECTION OF PRIMARY DATA

1. Observation Method
2. Interview Method
a. Personal Interview
b. Telephonic Interview
3. Questionnaires
4. Schedules
5. Other methods
OBSERVATION Method
● Related to Behavioral Sciences
● Non scientific method – to observe things around us
● Scientific tool -

systematically planned and recorded,

subjected to checks and

controls on validity and reliability.
● Information is sought by way of investigators own direct observation w/o
asking respondents

Advantages :
1. Subjective bias is eliminated; if observation done accurately
2. Relates to current happenings
3. Independent of respondents
Limitations:
4. Expensive method
5. Limited information is provided
6. Unforeseen factors interfere
7. People may not be accessible
OBSERVATION

While using this method researcher should keep following in mind

● What should be observed?
● How observation should be recorded?
● How can accuracy be ensured?

Few Terminologies
● Structured Observation

Units, style, standardised conditions, pertinent data selection

Descriptive Studies
● Unstructured Observation

Exploratory Studies
● Participant Observation
● Non Participant Observation (Disguised Observation)
● Controlled and Non Controlled Observation.
INTERVIEW METHOD

Presentation of Oral Verbal Stimuli and reply in Oral Verbal Responses.

2 types
● Personal Interviews
● Telephonic Interviews
PERSONAL INTERVIEW METHOD

● Requires person as interviewer asking questions generally F2F

contact with other person.
● Direct Personal Interview : Interviewer must collect info
personally from sources concerned.
● He has to be on the spot and has to meet people from whom
data has to be collected.
● Indirect Personal Interview : Interviewer cross examines other
person who are supposed to have knowledge about the problem
under investigation.
PERSONAL INTERVIEW METHOD

● Face to Face (F2F) contact with person / persons.

● Direct Personal Investigation (DPI) or indirect oral investigation.
● DPI- Interviewer collect information personally from sources concerned.
●
Be on the spot to meet people from whom data has to be collected.

Structured Interview:
● Method of collecting information through personal interview usually done in structured way.
● Predetermined set of questions.
● Rigid procedure asking the questions in the form and in prescribed order.

Unstructured Interview
● Flexible approach of questioning.
● Do not follow predetermined questions and standards.
● Interviewer allowed much greater freedom to ask, ask supplementary questions, omit certain questions.
● Allowed to change sequence of questions.

Focused Interview
Clinical Interview
Non Directive Interview
MERITS OF INTERVIEW METHOD

● More information in greater depth

● Greater flexibility to restructure questions.
● Observation – applied to recording verbal answers
● Personal information can be easily obtained.
● Low non responsive
● Interviewer can easily control which person will answer
the questions.
● Language of the interview can be adopted easily,
misinterpretations concerning questions can be avoided.
DEMERITS OF INTERVIEW METHOD

● Expensive – when large geographical locations are taken

as samples.
● Few respondents may not be easily approachable.
● Time consuming when sample is large.
● Presence of interviewer may stimulate respondents.
● Selecting, training and supervising field staff is complex.
PREREQUISITES & BASIC TENETS OF INTERVIEW METHOD

● Interviewer should be carefully selected, trained and briefed.

● They should be honest, sincere and hardworking, must
possess technical competence and necessary practical
experience.
● Field checks should be made – to ensure interviewer is neither
cheating nor deviating from instructions given.
TELEPHONIC INTERVIEW
● Method of collecting information contacting respondents over
telephone.
● Not widely used, but plays important role in industry surveys.

Merits:
1) More flexible
2) Faster than other modes
3) Cheaper than personal interview
4) Replies can be recorded
5) Easy to call back
6) No field staff required
7) Higher rate of response than mailing method
8) Wider range of respondents
TELEPHONIC INTERVIEW

Demerits:
1) Little time given to respondents to answer
2) Extensive geographic coverage may be restricted because of cost.
3) Questions to be short, answers to the point
4) Survey is restricted to respondents with telephones
5) Not suitable for comprehensive answers.
6) Probability of bias of interviewer is relatively more
QUESTIONNAIRES METHOD

● Big enquiries – economic and business surveys.

● Being adopted by – private individuals, research workers, private
and public organizations, governments.
● Questions are sent (by post) to persons concerned and required
to answer and return.
● Consists of number of questions printed or typed in definite order
on a form/s.
● Questionnaire is mailed to respondent/s who is expected to read
and understand the questions and write down their replies in the
space provided for the purpose.
QUESTIONNAIRE

Merits
1. Low cost even over large geographic area
2. Free from bias of interviewer
3. Respondents have adequate time to respond
4. Respondents who are not easily approachable can also be reached conveniently.
5. Large samples can be made use of, results can be reliable

Demerits
6. Low rate of return
7. Used when respondents are educated and cooperating.
8. Control over questionnaire may be lost when sent.
9. Inbuilt inflexibility – amending approach once dispatched.
10.Difficult to know whether willing respondents are truly representative.
11. Slowest of all methods.
12.Incomplete/ambiguous answers – hard to interpret.
QUESTIONNAIRE

Pilot Study may be required to test the questionnaire – rehearsal of main

survey:

Weakness of questionnaire may be identified

Omission of questions

Modification (reordering/rewording/rephrasing) of questions may be
required – wrong interpretation of question by respondent

Main aspects of questionnaire:

a)General form
b)Question sequence
c)Question formulation and wordings

Very clear in construction – simple, easily understood

Open ended questions

Multiple choice questions, True/False

Essentials of a good questionnaire:

CONTENTS

1) Introduction
2) Collection of Primary Data
3) Types of Collection of Primary Data
a)Observation Method
b)Interview Method
c)Through Questionnaires
d)Through Schedules
Differences
a) Collection of Secondary Data
b) Selection Criteria
SCHEDULES
● The schedule is another data collection technique containing statements,
questions, and blank spaces to fill up the answers given by the respondents
to the enumerator or interviewer.

● A schedule is a structure of a set of questions on a given topic which are

asked by the interviewer or investigator personally. ... It contains direct
questions as well as questions in tabular form. Schedules include open-
ended questions and close-ended questions.

● Schedules are filled by enumerators who are appointed for this purpose.
● These enumerators go to respondents, ask listed questions and record the
replies.
● In few instances schedules may be handed over to respondents and
enumerators may help them in recording answers.
● Enumerators should explain objectives of investigation and remove
difficulty giving appropriate clarifications.
SCHEDULES
● Benefits:
● It is a useful method in case the informants are illiterate.
● The researcher can overcome the problem of non-response as the
enumerators go personally to obtain the information.
● It is very useful in extensive studies and
● Can obtain more reliable data

● Demerits

Very expensive

Enumerator selection

Enumerators to be trained extensively
Differences between Questionnaires and Schedules:
Both questionnaires and schedules are popularly used methods of collecting data in
research surveys. There is much resemblance in the nature of these two methods. From a
practical point of view, the two methods can be taken to be the same. But from a technical
point of view there are differences between the two.
The important points of differences are as under:

# Questionnaires Schedules
1 Filled out by the respondent. Generally filled out by the research worker or the
enumerator.
2 Relatively cheap and economical; Relatively more expensive;
no field staff required. appointing enumerators and in imparting training to them;
preparing schedules also has costs.
3 Non-response is usually high; Generally Non-response very low;
Bias due to non-response often remains Since filled by enumerators who get answers to all questions;
indeterminate. Danger of interviewer bias and cheating exists.
4 Not always clear as to who replies, respondent or Identity of respondent is known to enumerator.
someone on his/her behalf.
5 Personal contact is generally not possible. Direct personal contact is established with respondents by
enumerator.
Differences between Questionnaires and Schedules:

# Questionnaires Schedules
6 Personal contact is generally not possible. Direct personal contact is established with
respondents.
7 Can be used only when respondents are Respondents may be illiterate.
literate and cooperative.
8 Wider and more representative distribution of Difficulty in sending
sample enumerators over a relatively wider area.
9 Risk of collecting incomplete and wrong Relatively more accurate;
information is relatively high; particularly Generally complete and accurate as enumerators can
when people are unable to understand remove the difficulties, if any.
questions properly.
10 Success lies more on the quality of the Depends upon the honesty and competence of
questionnaire itself. enumerators.
11 Physical appearance of questionnaire Not Applicable.
must be quite attractive.
12 Not possible. Observation method can also be used.
SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION
● Data already available – already collected and analysed by someone
else.
● Researcher should look into sources from where s/he can obtain.
● 2 forms of secondary data:
○ Published
○ Unpublished.
SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION
Published -
a) Publication in form of central, state and local government.
b) Publication of foreign govt and international bodies.
c) Technical and trade journals
d) Books, magazines and newspapers
e) Reports and publications of various business associations,
industries, banks, stock exchanges, etc.
f) Reports prepared by universities, scholars, economists
g) public records and statistics, historical documents,
h) websites - Ex : RBI, NSE, etc.

Unpublished
■ Diaries, letters, biographies, autobiographies, also made
available with scholars and workers, trade associations, etc.
SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION
Caution before using secondary data to see following characteristics:
1. Reliability of data:
● Who collected the data?
● What were the sources of data?
● Were they collected using proper methods?
● At what time were they collected?
● Was it achieved?

2. Suitability of data:
● Data suitable for one enquiry may not be suitable for another.
Hence if the data is found unsuitable it should not be used.

3. Adequacy of data:
● If the level of accuracy is found to be inadequate, it should not
be considered for research.
THANK YOU

Raghu B. A.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
[email protected]