Data Collection

Ray Aldrin A. Pobulan

Subject Teacher
 1. What is 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.
 What is Data Collection Method?

• Data collection methods

are techniques and procedures
for gathering information for
research purposes.
• They can range from simple self-
reported surveys to more
complex quantitative or
qualitative experiments.
2. What are the types of
data collection method?
 Primary Data Collection Methods

• Primary Data is collected from first-

hand experience and is not used in
the past.
• The data gathered by primary data
collection methods are highly
accurate and specific to the
research’s motive.
• Primary data collection methods can
be divided into two categories:
Quantitative and Qualitative.
 Quantitative Data Collection Method

• Unlike qualitative data, quantitative

research uses numerical values to
quantify attitudes, behaviors,
opinions, and other variables to
either prove or reject a hypothesis.
• Quantitative research involves the
collection of numerical data by
using close-ended or multiple-
choice questions.
 Quantitative Data Collection Method

• Qualitative data is information that

describes and explains something.
• It can be seen, observed, and written
down.
• This data type is non-numerical in
nature.
• This type of data is collected
through methods of observations, one-
to-one interviews, conducting focus
groups, and similar methods.
 Secondary Data Collection Methods

• Secondary data is data that

has been used in the past.
• The researcher can obtain
data from the data sources,
both internal and external, to
the organizational data.
 Secondary Data Collection Methods

Internal sources of secondary data:

•Organization’s health and safety
records
•Mission and vision statements
•Financial Statements
•Magazines
•Sales Report
•Customer Relationship Management
(CRM) Software
•Executive summaries
 Secondary Data Collection Methods

External sources of secondary data:

•Government reports
•Press releases
•Business journals
•Libraries
•Internet
 Secondary Data Collection Methods

• Secondary data is easily

available, less time-
consuming, and expensive
than primary data.
• However, the authenticity of
the data gathered cannot be
verified using these
methods.
 3. How do you choose a data collection
method?
• The method selected should
align with your goals,
available resources, and the
nature of the data you need
to collect.
 3. How do you choose a data collection
method?
• If you aim to collect quantitative data, surveys,
questionnaires, and forms can be excellent tools, particularly
for large-scale studies.
 3. How do you choose a data collection
method?
• However, if you’re looking to
uncover a deeper understanding
of a subject, qualitative data
might be more suitable.
• In such cases, interviews,
observations, and focus groups
can provide richer, more
nuanced insights.
 What is “ethics”?

• We can think of
ethics as the
principles that guide
our behavior toward
making the best
choices that
contribute to the
common good of all.
 Data Ethics

• Data Ethics, in the context of data

collection and analysis, encompasses a
set of values and moral principles
guiding how data is collected, shared,
and used.
• It involves considering the rights and
privacy of individuals whose data is
being collected and ensuring
transparency and fairness in data
handling processes.
 Privacy Protection:
• With the increasing ability to
collect detailed personal
information, respecting
individual privacy is paramount.
• Ethical data collection involves
obtaining consent, ensuring
anonymity where necessary,
and being transparent about
how data is used.
 Avoiding Data Misuse:
• Ethical practices help prevent
the misuse of data, such as
using it for discriminatory,
exploitative, or manipulative
purposes.
• This is especially crucial when
dealing with sensitive data
that could potentially harm
individuals if misused.
 Building Trust:
• Ethical data practices build
trust between data collectors
and subjects.
• When individuals know their
data is being handled
responsibly, they are more
likely to share it, leading to
better quality data and more
reliable analysis.
 Ensuring Fairness:
• Data ethics involves ensuring
that data collection and
analysis do not contribute to
inequality or injustice.
• This includes being mindful
of biases in data collection
and algorithmic decision-
making processes.
 Social Responsibility:
• Ethical data practices reflect
a broader sense of social
responsibility,
acknowledging the impact
that data collection and
analysis can have on
society at large.
• It’s about using data not just
legally, but also in ways that
contribute positively to
societal well-being.
 What is Ethical Consideration?

• Ethical considerations in research

are a set of principles that guide
your research designs and
practices.
• These principles include
voluntary participation,
informed consent, anonymity,
confidentiality, potential for
harm, and results
communication.
4. What are the ethical
considerations in data collection?
 Respecting Autonomy:
• Recognizing and
upholding individuals’
rights to make informed
decisions about their own
lives, including consenting
to participate in research
or accepting medical
treatment.
 Ensuring Fairness and Equity:

•Treating all individuals

and groups with
fairness, providing
equal opportunities,
and distributing
benefits and burdens
justly.
 Doing Good (Beneficence):

•Actively promoting
the well-being of
individuals and
contributing to the
common good.
 Avoiding Harm (Non-Maleficence):

• Preventing harm to
others and mitigating
risks that could lead to
injury or adverse
outcomes.
 Maintaining Privacy and Confidentiality:

•Protecting personal
information from
unauthorized
disclosure and
respecting individuals’
privacy rights.
 Fostering Trustworthiness and Integrity:

• Being honest,
transparent, and
consistent in actions
and decisions,
maintaining the trust of
those affected by one’s
actions.
5. How do you ensure reliability
and validity in data collection?
Validity

1. Clear research questions and objectives

2. Well-defined data collection methods
3. Relevant and accurate measurement tools
4. Data triangulation (multiple
sources/methods)
5. Pilot testing and pre-testing
6. Expert review and validation
7. Data quality checks
Reliability

1. Consistent data collection methods

2. Standardized measurement tools
3. Training data collectors
4. Inter-rater reliability checks
5. Test-retest reliability assessments
6. Data quality control processes
7. Regular data audits
6. What are the challenges in Data
Collection?
Challenge #1: Sampling Issues
 Bias:
• Every researcher aims for a
sample that mirrors the larger
population, but even minute
deviations can skew outcomes.
• For example, if a tech survey
inadvertently targets more tech-
savvy individuals, its findings
might paint an overly optimistic
picture of general tech
proficiency.
 Inadequate Sample Size
• Size does matter in research.
• Too few participants and you risk
statistical insignificance; too many,
and you’re burning through
resources without reaping
proportional benefits.
• Determining the optimal size
requires a careful balancing act,
considering both the scope of the
study and available resources.
Challenge #2: Data Accuracy and Reliability
 Measurement Errors:
• Whether it’s a mis calibrated
instrument in a lab or an
interviewer mis recording
responses, small mistakes
can lead to major
inaccuracies.
• Regular calibration and
training can mitigate such
errors.
 Inconsistency in Collection:
• Imagine two researchers
observing the same event but
noting down slightly different
details.
• Such inconsistencies, though
seemingly minor, can cascade
into significant data
discrepancies.
 Recall Bias:
• Particularly pertinent in
retrospective studies, this
refers to participants’
sometimes flawed memory
of past events.
• Such biases can distort
historical data, necessitating
the use of prompts or
alternative data sources.
Challenge #3: Data Integrity
 Missing Data:
• Incomplete datasets can be the
bane of analysis.
• From survey dropouts to
malfunctioning sensors, myriad
reasons can lead to gaps in data.
• Such voids often require
advanced statistical methods to
handle, such as imputation
techniques.
 Duplicate Entries:

• Redundancies in data sets,

whether due to software
glitches or human
oversight, can
overemphasize certain
data points, distorting
results.
 Outliers:
• These are the anomalies,
data points that stray
significantly from the norm.
• While sometimes they
represent genuine
phenomena, they can also be
erroneous, skewing averages
and other metrics.
Challenge #4: Ethical Considerations
 Privacy Concerns:
• As data breaches become
increasingly commonplace,
the sanctity of personal data
is under constant threat.
• Safeguarding this data,
especially sensitive
information, is not just a
technical challenge but a
moral obligation.
 Informed Consent:
• Beyond the legalese of
consent forms lies the
principle of respect for
autonomy.
• Participants should be fully
informed about the study’s
purpose, procedures, risks,
and benefits.
 Potential Data Misuse:

• In the wrong hands, data

can be weaponized.
• Ensuring ethical use
extends beyond the
collection phase,
encompassing storage,
analysis, and even post-
study disposal.
Challenge #5: Practical Challenges
 High Costs:

• Deploying high-quality
instruments, hiring trained
personnel, and
implementing robust data
storage solutions can
strain budgets.
 Time-Consuming Processes:

• Large-scale data
endeavors can span
months or even years,
requiring sustained
commitment and often
demanding interim
reviews and adjustments.
 Geographic or Accessibility Limitations:

• Remote areas, conflict

zones, or restrictive
regimes can pose
formidable barriers to
data collectors.
Challenge #6: Technological Challenges
 Data Storage Issues:
• With the advent of Big Data,
researchers often grapple
with storing vast amounts of
information efficiently and
cost-effectively.
Implementing effective data
collection techniques can
help in managing these vast
datasets.
 Interoperability:

• Merging data from

disparate systems, each
with its unique format and
structure, can be a
herculean task.
 Data Security Concerns:

• Cybersecurity threats,
from hackers to phishing
scams, pose persistent
challenges, necessitating
cutting-edge security
measures.
Challenge #7: Methodological Issues
 Poor Survey Design:

• Ambiguous phrasing,
leading questions, or even
survey length can
influence participants’
responses, compromising
data quality.
 Observer Effects:

• At times, the mere act of

observation can alter the
behavior of subjects,
known as the Hawthorne
effect in social sciences.
 Mode Effects:

• The medium of data

collection can influence
outcomes.
• For instance, online
surveys might attract a
younger demographic
compared to phone
interviews.
Challenge #8: Cultural and Linguistic Barriers
 Translation Inaccuracies:

• Literal translations can

miss cultural nuances,
leading to
misinterpretations.
 Cultural Misunderstandings:

• Norms vary across

cultures. A gesture
considered polite in one
culture might be offensive
in another, impacting data
interpretation.
Challenge #9: Changing Environments
 Changing Environments

• Dynamic global landscapes mean

that today’s pertinent data
might be obsolete tomorrow.
• Political upheavals, economic
downturns, or technological
innovations can rapidly shift
paradigms, affecting the
relevance and context of data.
Challenge #10: Dependence on Third Parties
 Dependence on Third Parties

• Outsourcing or relying on
third-party data sources can
introduce uncertainties, from
authenticity concerns to
timing discrepancies.
• Establishing reliable
partnerships and rigorous
data verification processes is
crucial.
7. How do you analyze collected
data?
What is data analysis?

• Data analysis is the process

of collecting and
examining statistical
information and drawing
conclusions from it.
 Quantitative Data Analysis
• Statistical analysis can be
used to identify trends in the
data, to establish if there’s
any kind of relationship
between a set of variables to
calculate probability to
accurately predict future
outcomes, to understand how
the data is distributed etc.
 Qualitative Data Analysis
• With qualitative data analysis,
the focus is on making sense of
unstructured data (such as large
bodies of text).
• Given that qualitative data
cannot be measured objectively,
it is open to subjective
interpretation and therefore
requires a different approach to
analysis.
8. What is the role of technology in
data collection?
 Role of Technology in Data Collection

• Technology plays a crucial

role in enhancing the data
collection
process, offering tools and
solutions that streamline
the acquisition, storage,
and analysis of data.
9. How do sampling techniques
influence data collection?
 Influence of Sampling Techniques in Data
Collection
Sampling techniques significantly
impact data collection, influencing:
• Data accuracy and reliability
• Representation of the population
• Generalizability of findings
• Bias reduction
• Resource efficiency
10. What are the limitations of your
chosen of your chosen data collection
method?
Your answers may vary.