DATA COLLECTION AND
SAMPLING IN RESEARCH
Dr. Muhammad
Shahbaz
WHAT IS DATA COLLECTION…?
A term used to describe the process of preparing and
collecting information
Systematic gathering of data for particular purpose from
various sources
Data is systematically observed, recorded and organized.
It enables one to answer research questions.
PURPOSE OF DATA COLLECTION
o To obtain information
o To keep on record
o To make decisions about important issues
o To pass information
IN COLLECTING THE DATA…
The researcher must decide;
Which data to collect
How to collect the data
Who will collect the data
When to collect the data
THE METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION VARY..
According to:
Degree of structure
Degree of quantifiability
Degree of obtrusiveness
Degree of objectivity
CLASSIFICATION OF DATA
Sec
Prim
ond
ary
ary
Dat
Dat
a
a
PRIMARY DATA
Data which is collected by the researcher for
the first time.
Original in nature and specific to the research
problem
Useful for current studies as well as for future
studies
For example; your own questionaire
PRIMARY RESEARCH METHODS
Quantitative and Qualitative Information:
Quantitative – based on numbers – 56% of 18
year olds drink alcohol at least four times a week
- doesn’t tell you why, when, how.
Qualitative – more detail – tells you why, when
and how!
PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION
METHODS
Observation
Interview
Questionnaires
Case study
Survey
OBSERVATION METHOD
Observation method is a method under
which data from the field is collected
with the help of observation by the
observer or by personally going to the
field. • In the words of
P.V. Young, “Observation may be
defined as systematic viewing, coupled
with consideration of seen
phenomenon.”
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES
Subjective bias is eliminated
Information researcher gets is current
Independent to respondent’s variable
Expensive method( requires time)
Limited information
Unforeseen factors may interfere with observational task
TYPES OF OBSERVATION
o Structured & Unstructured
o Participant & Non-participant
o Controlled & Uncontrolled
STRUCTURED & UNSTRUCTURED
Style of recording the When observation is
observed information done without any
Standardized thought
conditions of Without pre- planning
observation
Definition of units to
be observed
PARTICIPANT & NON-PARTICIPANT
When researcher is the When observer is
member of the group observing people
Researcher can record without giving any
natural behavior information to them
Researcher can verify
the truth of statements
Researcher may loose
objectivity
CONTROLLED AND
UNCONTROLLED
When the observation takes place in natural
condition i.e. uncontrolled observation. It is done to
get spontaneous picture of life and persons
When observation takes place according to
definite pre arranged plans , with experimental
procedure then it is controlled observation generally
done in laboratory under controlled condition
INTERVIEW METHOD
Data collection in terms of oral-
verbal responses
Verbal communication between
interviewer and the respondent
STEPS FOR AN EFFECTIVE
INTERVIEW
Prepare interview schedule
Select subjects/ key Respondent
Conduct the interview
Analyze and interpret data
collected from the interview
CLASSIFICATION:-
Structured Interviews :
In this case, a set of pre-decided questions are there.
Unstructured Interviews :
In this case, we don’t follow a system of pre-
determined questions.
Focused Interviews :
Attention is focused on the given experience of the
respondent and its
possible effects.
CONT..
Clinical Interviews :
Concerned with broad underlying feelings or
motivations or
with the course of an individual’s life experience.
Group Interviews :
a group of 6 to 8 individuals is interviewed.
Qualitative and quantitative Interviews :
divided on the basis of subject matter i.e., whether
qualitative or quantitative.
CONT..
Individual Interviews :
Interviewer meets a single person and
interviews him.
Selection Interviews :
Done for selection of people for certain
Jobs.
ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES
More information Expensive method
at greater depth Interviewer bias
Resistance may be Respondent bias
overcome by a Time consuming
skilled interview
Personal
information can be
obtained
QUESTIONNAIRES
A Questionnaire is sent ( by post or by mail ) to the
persons
concerned with a request to answer the questions
and return the questionnaire
A Questionnaire consists of a number of questions
printed in a definite order on a form.
STEPS FOR AN EFFECTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE
Prepare questions
(Formulate & choose types of questions,
order them, write instructions, make copies)
Select your respondents
Random/Selected
Administer the questionnaire
(date, venue, time )
Analyze and interpret data collected
CLASSIFICATION
Open-ended questions
This gives the respondents the ability to
respond in their own words.
Close-ended or fixed alternative
questions
This allows the respondents to choose
one of the given alternatives.
For exemple, Multiple Questions.
GOOD QUESTIONNAIRE….
Should be short and simple
Follow a sequence of questions from easy to difficult
one
Technical terms should be avoided
Should provide adequate space for answers in
questionnaire
Directions regarding the filling of questionnaire should
be clear
Sequence must be clear
ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES
Low cost • Time consuming
Free from • The respondents
interviewer bias need to be
Respondents have educated and
adequate time to cooperative
think • Slow method
Respondents who • Possibility of
are not easy to unclear replies
approach, can also
be reached.
CASE STUDY METHOD
It is essentially an intensive
investigation of the particular unit.
Study of selected units in minute
details
SURVEY METHOD
one of the common methods of diagnosing and
solving
Many research problems require systematic
collection of data from population
NOTE: All the se primary data collection methods
can be used to collect both the qualitative and
quantitative data.
SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION
Refer to the data which have already been
collected and analyzed by someone else
Published or unpublished data
Researcher must be careful in using secondary
data
SOURCES FOR SECONDARY DATA
Publications, journals
Books, magazines and newspapers
Reports by research scholars
Universities, libraries
FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED….
Reliability
Suitability
Adequacy of data
Selection of proper method
QUALITATIVE & QUANTITATIVE
Can be Can be collected
collected through,
through, Surveys
Newspapers Observations
Diaries
Interviews
transcripts
