Data Collection

1. Identify the methods in data collection

2. Differentiate between quantitative and
Objectives qualitative data collection
3. Write effective survey questionnaire
 -procedure of collecting, measuring
and analyzing accurate insights for
research using standard validated
techniques.

What is Data -researcher can evaluate their

Collection hypothesis on the basis of collected
data. I
-the primary and most important
step for research, irrespective of the
field of research.
 Data
Collection
Methods
 Phone vs. Online vs. In-Person Interviews

-4 choices for data collection – in-person interviews, mail, phone and

online. There are pros and cons to each of these modes.

In-Person Interviews
Pros: In-depth and a high degree of confidence on the data
Cons: Time-consuming, expensive and can be dismissed as anecdotal
 Surveys
Mail Surveys
Pros: Can reach anyone and everyone – no barrier
Cons: Expensive, data collection errors, lag time
Phone Surveys
Pros: High degree of confidence in the data collected, reach almost anyone
Cons: Expensive, cannot self-administer, need to hire an agency
Web/Online Surveys
Pros: Cheap, can self-administer, very low probability of data errors
Cons: Not all have an email address/be on the internet, may be wary of divulging
information online.
 Top 6 data collection methods

1. Interviews
2. Questionnaires and surveys
3. Observations
4. Documents and records
5. Focus groups
6. Oral histories
 Qualitative vs Quantitative data collection methods
quantitative, dealing with something that can be counted
-questionnaires, surveys, and documents and records
-collection, analysis, and management of data, instead of
counting responses or recording numeric data
-aims to assess factors like the thoughts and feelings
qualitative, meaning that they consider factors other than
numerical values.
interviews, focus groups, observations, and oral histories are
qualitative
 Qualitative data collection methods

3 commonly used qualitative data collection methods:

ethnographic, theory grounded, and phenomenological.
Ethnography
-comes from anthropology
-seeks to understand how people live their lives
-intended to reveal behaviors from a subject’s perspective rather
than from the view of the researchers.
 Qualitative data collection methods
3 commonly used qualitative data collection methods:
ethnographic, theory grounded, and phenomenological.
Grounded theory
-arose when sociological researchers sought to provide a level of
legitimacy to qualitative research
-ground it in reality rather than assumptions.
Grounded theory uses the following methods:
1. Participant observation - Researchers immerse themselves in
the daily lives of subjects. Another term for this is “fieldwork.”
 Qualitative data collection methods
2. Interviews. These can vary in formality from informal chats to
structured interviews.
3. Document and artifact collection - Researchers can learn about a
group of people from looking at materials the group used.
Phenomenology
-describes how people experience certain events or unique
encounters.
- measures reactions to occurrences that are outside of the norm
An example of phenomenology is studying the experiences of
individuals involved in a natural disaster.
 Quantitative data collection methods

-marketers, scientists, academics, and others may start a study with

a predetermined hypothesis
-most widely used methods of collecting information for research
purposes
-relates to evaluating a numerical result
-popular because they are relatively straightforward.
-measurable and expressed in numerical form.
 Different quantitative research approaches
Descriptive research
-explains the current status of a variable using observational data
collection.
-Often, the researcher begins without a hypothesis and lets the data
steer the direction of the study.
Correlational research
-seeks to collect data that shows relationships between different
occurrences.
 Different quantitative research approaches
Experimental research
-also known as “true experimentation,” uses the scientific method to
determine the cause-and-effect relationship between variables.
Quasi-experimental research
-also known as “causal-comparative,” is similar to experimental
research.
-quasi-experimental methods don’t control for some factors but
otherwise follow the scientific method to establish a
cause-and-effect relationship.
 Survey Design for Data Collection

-writing great questions can be considered by an art.

-requires a significant amount of hard work, practice, and help from
others.
-there is as much as 23 question types you can use in your surveys
-structure the questionnaire using the “funnel” technique.
 Survey Design for Data Collection

Things to Remember in Writing Survey Questions:

1. Avoid loaded or leading words or questions
2. Misplaced questions
-Questions should always have reference to the intended
context
3. Mutually non-overlapping response categories
-Multiple choice - mutually unique in order to provide
distinct choices.
 Survey Design for Data Collection

4. Avoid the use of confusing/unfamiliar words

-jargons, industry related terms
-Ensure that the audience understands your language level
5. Non-directed questions give respondents excessive leeway
-Be specific. Make sure respondents know what you’re asking.
6. Never force questions
-questions which cross certain privacy rules
-income, family income and status, religious, and political beliefs
etc. should always be avoided
 Survey Design for Data Collection

7. Unbalanced answer options in scale

-don’t create ambiguity for respondents.
8. Dichotomous questions
-used in case you want a distinct answer,
-example – Yes/No, Male/Female.
9. Avoid the use of long questions
-increase time taken for completion
-increase in the survey dropout rat
 Survey question types

1. Multiple choice
2. Rank order
3. Slider
4. Text entry
5. Matrix table
6. Likert Scale Questions
 What are secondary data collection methods?

-while primary data collection is considered the most authoritative

and authentic data collection method, there are several instances
where secondary data collection methods can provide value.
-secondary data as second-hand data
-someone else’s research, another person’s original bank of
knowledge.
-using secondary data is more efficient and less expensive
-information you need is already available, simply use it rather than
to replicate it.
 What are secondary data collection methods?

-determines whether or not research questions have already been

asked and answered
-using secondary data saves time and money
-Combined with primary research, secondary data can help
researchers better understand their subjects
 Data collection through online forms

Collecting data with the Likert scale

-series of questions or items that call for respondents to provide an
answer on a scale
-measures attitudes, helpful indicator for businesses looking to gauge
customer opinions on products, services, and more.
-scales usually contain five to seven points and follow a linear pattern.
-five possible answers to a statement or question
-allows positive-to-negative strength of agreement or strength of feeling
on question or statement.
 Data collection through online forms

Collecting data with the Likert scale

 Data collection through online forms

Collecting data with the Likert scale

 What is informed consent?

-important component of online data collection

-In order for informed consent to be valid, four elements generally
need to be present
1. The competency to make the decision.
2. Disclosure of expected benefits and risks.
3. The person providing consent must understand the information.
4. Consent must be given voluntarily.
Why do data collection?
Why do data collection?
Why do data collection?
Why do data collection?
Why do data collection?
 Data collection

Data preparation
Why do data collection? Data visualization

Data analysis

Data storytelling
 ● Based on your research question, what data might you need?
● What are the multiple ways you could collect that data?
● How might you document this data, or organize it so that it can
be analyzed?
● What methods are most appropriate for your context and
timeframe?
● How much time will your data collection require? How much
time can you allow for?
Data Collection Checklist
● Will you need to create any data sources (e.g., interview
protocol, elicitation materials)?
● Do your data sources all logically support the research question,
and each other?
● Does your data collection provide for multiple perspectives?
● How will your data achieve triangulation in addressing the
research question?
● Will you need more than three data sources to ensure
triangulation of data?
 How was the data collected?

What equipment was used

and how?

How the data was recorded?

What sampling data was used

Who took part in the data What primary and secondary
collection? to collect the data?
data were actually measured
and recorded at each stage?
What was each member’s
specific role?
HoW? How many measurements
How did you make best use of a were taken for each set of
team of people? data?

W
o?
How were different group of What type of data do these

Wh

ha
people coordinated?
represent?

t?
Data
6W Framework Collection

n?
he

he
re
Which specific sites were used When did each part of data

W
?
for the data collection? collection take place?

How are the different related

to each other?
Why? How frequently the data was
measured and recorded?

Why was the specific data

collected?
Why was that sampling
strategy used?
Why were specific data
collection techniques used?
Why was the collected at that
specific site?
 ● Erroneous conclusions that squander resources
● Decisions that compromise public policy
● Incapacity to correctly respond to research
inquiries
The Importance of Ensuring
Accurate and Appropriate ● Bringing harm to participants who are humans
Data Collection or animals
● Deceiving other researchers into pursuing futile
research avenues
● The study's inability to be replicated and
validated
 ● Diversity in Higher Education Students and Faculty
● Increase in Non-Traditional Students
● Mental Health Awareness
● Embracing Artificial Intelligence for Learning
● Online Learning is More Prevalent
Trends in Higher Education ● Virtual Reality for Education
● More Focus on Closing the Skills Gap
● The Rise of Massive Open Online Course (MOOCs)
● Enrollment of International Students
● The Growing Need for Alternate Funding Options
● A Changing Pathway For Fundraising Campaigns
https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/writing-survey-questions/
https://www.questionpro.com/blog/data-collection/
https://www.jotform.com/data-collection-methods/
https://www.simplypsychology.org/likert-scale.html
https://www.effectivedatastorytelling.com/post/a-deeper-dive-into-lego-bricks-and-data-stories
https://www.rgs.org/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?nodeguid=923f11d5-028a-467e-9ae8-915baef2bc6f
&lang=en-GB
https://kstatelibraries.pressbooks.pub/gradactionresearch/chapter/chapt5/
https://www.simplilearn.com/what-is-data-collection-article
https://research.com/education/trends-in-higher-education

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