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Methods of Data Collection Lesson

Methods

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13 views

Methods of Data Collection Lesson

Methods

Uploaded by

fernandezhenrich88
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION (LESSON)

DATA
It is a collection of facts and figures to be used for a specific purpose such as a survey or
analysis.

TYPES OF DATA
Qualitative Data - represent some characteristics or attributes. They depict descriptions that may
be observed but cannot be computed or calculated.
Quantitative Data -these can be measured and not simply observed. They can be numerically
represented and calculations can be performed on them.

DATA COLLECTION
Data collection is the process of collecting and evaluating information or data from multiple
sources to find answers to research problems, answer questions, evaluate outcomes, and forecast
trends and probabilities. It is an essential phase in all types of research, analysis, and decision-
making, including that done in the social sciences, business, and healthcare.

Primary and secondary methods of data collection are two approaches used to gather information
for research or analysis purposes.

1. PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION - These are the data that are collected for the first time by
an investigator for a specific purpose. These data are ‘pure’ in the sense that no statistical
operations have been performed on them and they are original.

There are various techniques for primary data collection, includes:

a. Surveys and Questionnaires: Researchers design structured questionnaires or surveys to collect


data from individuals or groups. These can be conducted through face-to-face interviews,
telephone calls, mail, or online platforms.

b. Interviews: Interviews involve direct interaction between the researcher and the respondent.
They can be conducted in person, over the phone, or through video conferencing. Interviews can
be structured (with predefined questions), semi-structured (allowing flexibility), or unstructured
(more conversational).

c. Observations: Researchers observe and record behaviors, actions, or events in their natural
setting. This method is useful for gathering data on human behavior, interactions, or phenomena
without direct intervention.

d. Experiments: Experimental studies involve the manipulation of variables to observe their


impact on the outcome. Researchers control the conditions and collect data to draw conclusions
about cause-and-effect relationships.

e. Focus Groups: Focus groups bring together a small group of individuals who discuss specific
topics in a moderated setting. This method helps in understanding opinions, perceptions, and
experiences shared by the participants.
2. SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION- involves using existing data collected by someone
else for a purpose different from the original intent. Researchers analyze and interpret this data to
extract relevant information.

Secondary data can be obtained from various sources, including:

a. Published Sources: Researchers refer to books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers,


government reports, and other published materials that contain relevant data.

b. Online Databases: Numerous online databases provide access to a wide range of secondary
data, such as research articles, statistical information, economic data, and social surveys.

c. Government and Institutional Records: Government agencies, research institutions, and


organizations often maintain databases or records that can be used for research purposes.

d. Publicly Available Data: Data shared by individuals, organizations, or communities on public


platforms, websites, or social media can be accessed and utilized for research.

e. Past Research Studies: Previous research studies and their findings can serve as valuable
secondary data sources. Researchers can review and analyze the data to gain insights or build
upon existing knowledge.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING ACCURATE AND APPROPRIATE DATA


COLLECTION
Accurate data collecting is crucial to preserve the integrity of research, regardless of the subject
of study or preferred method for defining data (quantitative, qualitative). Errors are less likely to
occur when the right data gathering tools are used (whether they are brand-new ones, updated
versions of them, or already available).

The effects of data collection done incorrectly, include the following -

 Erroneous conclusions that squander resources


 Decisions that compromise public policy
 Incapacity to correctly respond to research inquiries
 Bringing harm to participants who are humans or animals
 Deceiving other researchers into pursuing futile research avenues
 The study's inability to be replicated and validated

COMMON CHALLENGES IN DATA COLLECTION


 Data Quality Issues
 Inconsistent Data
 Data Downtime
 Ambiguous Data
 Duplicate Data
 Too Much Data
 Inaccurate Data
 Hidden Data
 Finding Relevant Data
 Deciding the Data to Collect
 Dealing With Big Data

STEPS IN THE DATA COLLECTION PROCESS


1. Decide What Data You Want to Gather
The first thing that we need to do is decide what information we want to gather. We must choose
the subjects the data will cover, the sources we will use to gather it, and the quantity of
information that we would require. For instance, we may choose to gather information on the
categories of products that an average e-commerce website visitor between the ages of 30 and 45
most frequently searches for.

2. Establish a Deadline for Data Collection


The process of creating a strategy for data collection can now begin. We should set a deadline for
our data collection at the outset of our planning phase. Some forms of data we might want to
continuously collect. We might want to build up a technique for tracking transactional data and
website visitor statistics over the long term, for instance. However, we will track the data
throughout a certain time frame if we are tracking it for a particular campaign. In these
situations, we will have a schedule for when we will begin and finish gathering data.

3. Select a Data Collection Approach


We will select the data collection technique that will serve as the foundation of our data
gathering plan at this stage. We must take into account the type of information that we wish to
gather, the time period during which we will receive it, and the other factors we decide on to
choose the best gathering strategy.

4. Gather Information
Once our plan is complete, we can put our data collection plan into action and begin gathering
data. In our DMP, we can store and arrange our data. We need to be careful to follow our plan
and keep an eye on how it's doing. Especially if we are collecting data regularly, setting up a
timetable for when we will be checking in on how our data gathering is going may be helpful. As
circumstances alter and we learn new details, we might need to amend our plan.

5. Examine the Information and Apply Your Findings


It's time to examine our data and arrange our findings after we have gathered all of our
information. The analysis stage is essential because it transforms unprocessed data into insightful
knowledge that can be applied to better our marketing plans, goods, and business judgments. The
analytics tools included in our DMP can be used to assist with this phase. We can put the
discoveries to use to enhance our business once we have discovered the patterns and insights in
our data.

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