Scribd
Upload
189 views3 pages

Techniques of Data Collection

The document discusses various techniques for collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. It describes primary methods like observation, interviews, questionnaires, and sampling which involve directly collecting original data. It also discusses secondary methods like content analysis which involves analyzing existing written materials. Further, it outlines projective techniques and case studies for collecting qualitative data in a more indirect and in-depth manner. These include tools like TAT, WAT, and analyzing an entire social unit like a person, family, or community.

Uploaded by

Vikas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
189 views3 pages

Techniques of Data Collection

The document discusses various techniques for collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. It describes primary methods like observation, interviews, questionnaires, and sampling which involve directly collecting original data. It also discusses secondary methods like content analysis which involves analyzing existing written materials. Further, it outlines projective techniques and case studies for collecting qualitative data in a more indirect and in-depth manner. These include tools like TAT, WAT, and analyzing an entire social unit like a person, family, or community.

Uploaded by

Vikas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Techniques of Data collection

Introduction: The task of data collection begins after a research problem has been defined
and research design/plan chalked out. While deciding about the method of data collection to be
used for the study, the researcher should keep in mind two types of data viz. primary and
secondary. The primary data are those which are collected afresh and for the first time, and thus
happen to be original in character. The secondary data, on the other hand, are those which have
already been collected by someone else and which have already been passed through the
statistical process. The methods of collecting primary and secondary data differ since primary
data are to be originally collected, while in case of secondary data the nature of data collection
work is merely that of compilation.

Collection of quantitative data: We collect primary data during the course of doing
experiments in an experimental research but in case we do research of the descriptive type and
perform surveys, then we can obtain primary data either through observation or through direct
communication with respondents in one form or another or through personal interviews. We
briefly take up each method:

1. Observation method: The observation method is the most commonly used method
especially in studies relating to behavioral sciences. It is a method under which data
from the field is collected with the help of observation by the observer or by
personally going into the field. The success of observation very much depends on the
utility of observer. This technique has been used by several social scientists for eg.
Liplay, Booth, Malinowski, Park, etc. There are mainly two types of observation;
uncontrolled and controlled. A non-controlled observation, we resort to careful
scrutiny of real life situation, making no attempt to use instruments of precision or to
check for accuracy of phenomena observed. The most important advantage of
uncontrolled observation is that it becomes possible to have first-hand knowledge of
the group to be studied without extra influences and pressures. It can be participant
observation, where the researcher has to completely involve in the studied group, or,
it can be non-participant observation, where the researcher collects the knowledge
and record the things from a distance. The controlled observation is generally
carried on according to definite pre-arranged plan which may include considerable
experimental procedure, for eg. In the field of child psychology and nursery school
studies. Here there can be either control on the phenomena or to the observer.
2. Interview schedule: A schedule is a list of questions formulated and presented with
the specific purpose of testing an assumption of hypothesis. Since in the schedule
method, an interviewer is always present and he can also provide stimuli, therefore,
success of schedule is linked with ability and performance of the researcher. In other
words, schedule is the name usually applied to a set of questions which are asked and
filled in by the investigator in a face to face situation with another person. Here the
basic merit is the high rate of response and deeper probe from the side of respondents
without any confusion, since the investigator himself will be present to guide them.
3. Questionnaire: In a vast country or in a research project where the informants are
spread over vast or inaccessible areas, the information is sought with the help of
questionnaires. These are mailed to informants and replies received are analyzed and
ultimately presented in the form of a report with the help of statistical tabulations. It
is very popular these days in market survey, in socio-economic survey, people’s
opinion survey, etc. It can be either structured/closed questionnaire with no scope for
flexibility or creativity for thoughts or it can be open-ended/unstructured
questionnaire where there is great flexibility for adding new variables or questions
during the study. Its main benefit is the coverage of large area in a convenient
manner with minimum labour and time. But it cannot apply to illiterate sections of
the population.
4. Content analysis: Content analysis is a research technique for the objective,
systematic and quantitative description of the manifest content of communication. It
is a method of social research that aims at the analysis of the content- quantitative or
qualitative of books, newspapers, magazines, documents, etc. and other forms of
written material. It is useful in cross cultural studies and for studying personal values
which could be manifest or latent both.
5. Sampling: It is that part of data collection in which with the help of selecting
representative unit, i.e. sample, we represent the whole universe of the population
which we are going to studied upon. It can be probability sampling or non-
probability sampling. In probality sampling the most common method used is simple
random sampling; in which every item of the universe has equal chance of being
selected or rejected. The other methods in probability sampling are quota, stratified,
systematic, snow-ball sampling, etc. The non-probability sampling is totally based on
convenience or purpose of research.

Collection of qualitative data

1. Projective technique: Projective technique is an indirect means of questioning that


enables the respondent to project beliefs and feelings onto a third party, to an
inanimate object, or into a task situation. The basic principle of projective technique
is that the more unstructured and ambiguous a stimulus, the more a subject can and
will project his emotions, attitudes and values. Projective methods were first devised
by psychologists and psychiatrists concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of
patients suffering from emotional disorders. The various tests which are used in this
method are thematic appreciation test (TAT), word association test (WAT), doll play,
role play, Story or sentence completion test, etc.
2. Case study: Case study method is one of the forms of qualitative method in which
complete and detailed information is collected of a person, institution or community.
In Sociology, this method was first used by Herbert Spencer but in properly arranged
and in scientific manner it was used by Charles Liplay. Liplay has used this method
to study the budget of income-expenditure of various families in France. However, in
modern times, it is used by psychologists for the treatment of mental patients,
criminals and undisciplined persons. As through this method, minute, deep, special
and broad information regarding man’s behavior is made, so Burgess has called it
‘social microscope’. In short, it is a method of exploring and analyzing of life of a
social unit; be that a person, a family, an institution, cultural group or even entire
community. It is very useful in depth study of the whole unit and behavior patterns.
It enlarges experience in social research and helps in the formation of valid
hypotheses.

You might also like