Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in

an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test
hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes. The data collection component of research is common to all
fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities, business, etc. While methods
vary by discipline, the emphasis on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the same.
Regardless of the field of study or preference for defining data (quantitative, qualitative),
accurate data collection is essential to maintaining the integrity of research. Both the selection of
appropriate data collection instruments (existing, modified, or newly developed) and clearly
delineated instructions for their correct use reduce the likelihood of errors occurring.

The Quantitative data collection methods rely structured data collection instruments that fit
diverse experiences into predetermined response categories. They produce results that are easy to
summarize, compare, and generalize. Quantitative research is concerned with testing hypotheses
derived from theory and/or being able to estimate the size of a phenomenon of interest.
Depending on the research question, participants may be randomly assigned to different
treatments. If this is not feasible, the researcher may collect data on participant and situational
characteristics in order to statistically control for their influence on the dependent, or outcome,
variable. If the intent is to generalize from the research participants to a larger population, the
researcher will employ probability sampling to select participants.
Their different types of quantitative data collection methods and these include:
Interviews
Face -to -face interviews have a distinct advantage of enabling the researcher to establish rapport
with potential participants and therefor gain their cooperation. These interviews yield highest
response rates in survey research. They also allow the researcher to clarify ambiguous answers
and when appropriate, seek follow-up information. Disadvantages include impractical when
large samples are involved time consuming and expensive. (Leedy and Ormrod, 2001)
Advantages
Probably highest response rate
Best for getting response from specific, identified person
Allows use of any type of questions
Sequencing of questions is easily changed
Allows probing of open-ended questions
Allows clarification of ambiguous questions
Permits easy use visuals

Disadvantages
Generally narrow distribution
Interviewer supervision control difficult to maintain
Often difficult to identify individuals to include in sampling frame
Generally most expensive method of administration
Costly to visit individuals
Relatively slow method of administration
Subject to interviewer bias

Telephone interviews are less time consuming and less expensive and the researcher has ready
access to anyone on the planet who has a telephone. Disadvantages are that the response rate is
not as high as the face-to- face interview as but considerably higher than the mailed
questionnaire. The sample may be biased to the extent that people without phones are part of the
population about whom the researcher wants to draw inferences.
Advantages
Telephones ubiquitous
Quick access
Interaction with human operator gives
Interviewer supervision is strong; less interviewer bias
0ne of the quickest methods of data collect
Wide distribution possible
Disadvantages
It may be difficult to find a global language
Staff must work 24-hour basis for international studies
Verbal transcription errors arise lines can saturate
Does not handle long interview well in most cases
Cannot use visual aids
More difficult to determine that appropriate respondent is being interviewed than with
personal interviews


Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI): is a form of personal interviewing, but instead
of completing a questionnaire, the interviewer brings along a laptop or hand-held computer to
enter the information directly into the database. This method saves time involved in processing
the data, as well as saving the interviewer from carrying around hundreds of questionnaires.
However, this type of data collection method can be expensive to set up and requires that
interviewers have computer and typing skills.
Advantages
Good method to follow-up on users' feelings and experiences that were shared earlier
using another approach, such as a survey.
Provides an excellent opportunity to probe and explore with questions
Participants do not need to be able to read and write to respond
Wide geographical reach
Disadvantages
Contact information must be gathered in the initial data collection process.
Requires special equipment to record and transcribe interviews.
Requires staff time to administer follow-up interviews.

Questionnaires
Paper-pencil-questionnaires can be sent to a large number of people and saves the researcher
time and money. People are more truthful while responding to the questionnaires regarding
controversial issues in particular due to the fact that their responses are anonymous. But they also
have drawbacks. Majority of the people who receive questionnaires don't return them and those
who do might not be representative of the originally selected sample. (Leedy and Ormrod, 2001)
Advantages
Paper forms ubiquitous
Cheaper set up
Disadvantages

Web based questionnaires: A new and inevitably growing methodology is the use of Internet
based research. This would mean receiving an e-mail on which you would click on an address
that would take you to a secure web-site to fill in a questionnaire. This type of research is often
quicker and less detailed. Some disadvantages of this method include the exclusion of people
who do not have a computer or are unable to access a computer. Also the validity of such
surveys are in question as people might be in a hurry to complete it and so might not give
accurate responses.
Advantages
Instant validation of data
User tends to self-train
Bulk handling easy
Data instantly available
No paper to be stored
Disadvantage
Requires internet connection
Authentication distribution
Costly
Not everyone has access to the internet
The web might not be user friendly

Mall questionnaires
Advantages
May be only method able to reach respondent
Sampling frame easily developed when mailing lists are available
Not subject to interviewer bias
Respondents work at their own pace
Ensures anonymity of respondents
Wide distribution possible
Best for personal, sensitive question
Generally least expensive
Disadvantage
Very little control in securing response from specific individual
Cannot secure response from illiterates
Cannot control speed of response; long response
Researcher cannot explain ambiguous questions
Does not allow probing with open-ended questions
Difficult to change sequence of questions
Sequence bias respondents can view entire questionnaire as they respond
Quest
Observation
Observation is way of gathering data by watching behavior, events, or noting physical
characteristics in their natural setting. Observations can be overt (everyone knows they are being
observed) or covert (no one knows they are being observed and the observer is concealed). The
benefit of covert observation is that people are more likely to behave naturally if they do not
know they are being observed. However, you will typically need to conduct overt observations
because of ethical problems related to concealing your observation.
Advantages
Collect data where and when an event or activity is occurring.
Does not rely on peoples willingness or ability to provide information.
Allows you to directly see what people do rather than relying on what people say they
did.
No bias data is collected as participants are not aware that their being observed
Excellent approach to discover behaviors
Good technique when there are observable products and outcomes.
Disadvantages
Susceptible to observer bias.
Susceptible to the Hawthorne effect, that is, people usually perform better when they
know they are being observed, although indirect observation may decrease this problem.
Can be expensive and time-consuming compared to other data collection methods.
Does not increase your understanding of why people behave as they do.
Cannot ask questions of participants during observation.
Might want to use follow-up interviews to verify observations.
Census
A census is a study that obtains data from every member of a population. In most studies, a
census is not practical, because of the cost and/or time required.
Advantage
Disadvantage
Focus groups
Advantages
Excellent approach to gather in-depth attitudes, beliefs, and anecdotal data from a large
group of patrons at one time.
Group dynamics might generate more ideas than individual interviews.
Can be effectively used to focus on details regarding issues found through surveys or
other data collection methods.
Participants are not required to read or write, technique relies on oral communication.
Disadvantages
Requires staff time to set up and facilitate focus group.
Requires staff time to identify and schedule participants for focus group.
Requires strong facilitator to guide discussion and ensure participation by all members.
Usually requires special equipment to record and transcribe focus group discussion.

Qualitative data collection methods play an important role in impact evaluation by providing
information useful to understand the processes behind observed results and assess changes in
peoples perceptions of their well-being. Furthermore qualitative methods can be used to
improve the quality of survey-based quantitative evaluations by helping generate evaluation
hypothesis; strengthening the design of survey questionnaires and expanding or clarifying
quantitative evaluation findings. These methods are characterized by the following attributes:

Sampling is the process of selecting a subset of units or individuals (a portion or sample) from a
population of interest so that by examining the sample, we can generalize the results to the whole
population. A sample is a smaller (but hopefully representative) collection of units from a
population used to determine truths about that population (Field, 2005).