RESEARCH III Quarter 2

Learning Competencies
• Design and implement effective methods for collecting data.
• Utilizing various tools and techniques for accurate data gathering
• Present data using various methods (tables, bar graphs, line graphs, pie charts)
and analyze its significance.
Collecting and Organizing Data
When conducting research, collecting and organizing data are fundamental processes
that help researchers make informed conclusions. These two steps form the backbone
of any research project, whether it's qualitative or quantitative.
Data Collection
Data collection refers to the process of gathering information from relevant sources to
answer a research question. It involves a systematic approach, ensuring the data
collected is accurate, reliable, and valid for the purpose of the study. There are two
primary types of data:
Primary Data: Collected directly from first-hand sources through methods such as
surveys, interviews, experiments, or observations. refers to first-hand information based
on actual experiences or observations. This kind of data is more reliable to use because
it is gathered by the actual researchers. Say you want to ask people in the community if
they agree to a
certain law that is being implemented by the local government. Their answers can
be considered as primary data.

Secondary Data: Gathered from existing sources like books, journals, reports, or online
databases. Data that are gathered from secondary sources, meaning it is not you that
have obtained the information but rather, it comes from previous research, audio
recordings or books. One advantage of secondary data is that it is readily available to
use, comparing it to primary data where you have to gather the information yourself.

Methods of Data Collection

➢ Surveys and Questionnaires: Widely used for collecting quantitative data. They
can be distributed physically or electronically and are useful for gathering large
amounts of data from diverse participants. Questionnaires are also one of the
most common types of instruments that is being used by qualitative researchers.
This is somewhat similar to interviews based on the format of questions that is
being used. There are three types of questionnaires:
Closed-ended questionnaires- this type of questionnaire is similar to a
structured interview. This is mostly used when you want to conduct surveys on
your respondents. This is mostly for statistical purposes and the questions are
already prepared for your respondents to answer. These types of
questionnaires usually have boxes for the respondents to put a check mark.
 Open-ended questionnaires- unlike close-ended questionnaires, this type of
questionnaire leaves a blank space for the respondents to give their point of view
about a specific question.
Combination of both- this type of questionnaire combines both the close-ended
and
open-ended questionnaires. For example, you may want to ask a yes or no
question to your respondents and also want them to explain why they have
answered yes or no.
Focus Group Discussion
This type of data gathering instrument focuses on groups of people being
interviewed at the same time. This relies on the respondents to give a discussion
amongst themselves on the questions that you, the researcher, give. You will
serve as the moderator or facilitator. Put three or more people around a table and
give them guide questions for them to discuss among themselves. Your role as
the researcher
and facilitator is to take note of their discussions.
➢ Interviews: These provide qualitative data and can be structured, semi-
structured, or unstructured, allowing for in-depth exploration of participants'
views.
Interviews are done by having a set of questions to your respondents and letting
them answer as truthfully as possible. There are mainly three
types of interview:
Structured Interview- this type of interview has a set of predetermined questions
that are ready to use. If you are using a structured interview as your instrument
to gather data, take note that you should not ask beyond what is written in your
interview questions.
Unstructured Interview- this type of interview is the opposite of structured
interview. You are not required to make a set of pre-made questions, but rather
make an OUTLINE or what kind of questions you want to ask your respondents.
Dawson (2002) calls this type of interview as life history interview. That is because
you want to understand the point of view of your respondents, hence it is not
advisable to use a pre-made questions. You want them to tell you a story, your
respondents are free to talk about what they want to share with a little guide
question from you as a researcher.
Semi-structured Interview- this type of interview is a mix of structured and
unstructured interview. It may be one of the most common types of interviews.
You have to prepare a set of questions; however, you are also free to ask to follow
up questions to your respondents if you want to clarify something or add
information that is not available to you. This type of interview is also flexible that
is why it is preferred to be used by most researchers.
➢ Observations: Useful for behavioral studies, allowing researchers to gather data
in real-time as events unfold. This happens when a researcher observes and
takes notes of the behavior of people that they want to be a part of their research.
There are three types of observations:
 Naturalistic Observation- this happens when a researcher observes the
behavior
of a group of people in their natural setting. For example, you want to observe
the behavior of students inside a classroom without putting any external
disturbances on them then you are using naturalistic observation.
Participative Observation- this observation happens when a researcher takes
part
on the activities of the group of people that they are observing. Say for example
you want to study the daily routine of a Lumad community. To have a better
understanding of what their everyday activities are, you as a researcher decided
to join a community so that you can immerse yourself in their daily life. This is
utilizing participative observation.
Non-naturalistic Observation- this type of observation happens when you take
your respondents out of their natural environment and put them in an environment
of your choice. You observe how people behave when they are not in their usual
settings. One situation for this is taking a group of high school students and letting
them attend one or two college classes where you must observe their learning
behaviors. Non-naturalistic observation is where you as a researcher decides
what is the “ideal” environment for you to complete your research.
➢ Experiments: These involve manipulating variables to observe effects and
collect data in controlled settings.
Data Organization
Once the data has been collected, organizing it is crucial to make it accessible for
analysis. This step helps researchers understand trends, patterns, or relationships in
the data that are key to answering their research questions.
➢ Quantitative Data Organization: This involves using tables, charts, and graphs to
present data in a structured and meaningful way. Statistical software like SPSS,
Excel, or Google Sheets can be used to organize large datasets.
➢ Qualitative Data Organization: For qualitative data, coding techniques are often
used. This involves categorizing and organizing text-based data (such as
interview transcripts) into themes or patterns that can be analyzed.
Importance of Organizing Data
➢ Clarity: Proper organization ensures that data is presented clearly, making it
easier to interpret and analyze.
➢ Accuracy: It reduces the chances of errors during analysis by ensuring that all
relevant information is in the right place and easily accessible.
➢ Efficiency: Well-organized data speeds up the process of analysis, as
researchers don’t have to spend unnecessary time searching for missing or
miscategorized data.

Ethical Considerations
In collecting and organizing data, researchers must ensure the following:
➢ Informed Consent: Participants should be aware of the purpose of the research
and provide consent for their data to be collected.
 ➢ Confidentiality: Personal data should be handled with care to ensure privacy.
➢ Data Integrity: The data should not be manipulated or altered to fit desired
outcomes.

When presenting data, it is essential to select the most appropriate method to

effectively communicate patterns, trends, or relationships to the audience. Below is a
guide on how to present data using tables, bar graphs, line graphs, and pie
charts:

1. Tables

• What It Is: A structured arrangement of data in rows and columns.

• Best For:
o Displaying raw data values in a detailed format.
o Comparing exact figures across categories.
o Presenting numeric or text-based information side-by-side.
• How to Use:
o Use column headers to clearly label categories.
o Ensure alignment for better readability (numbers aligned by decimal
points).
o Highlight important rows or values using bold text or shading.

2. Bar Graphs

• What It Is: A chart that uses rectangular bars to represent values. The length
of each bar corresponds to the data value.
• Best For:
o Comparing discrete categories or groups.
o Showing differences in size, frequency, or magnitude.
o Making data visually engaging.
 • How to Use:
o Use horizontal or vertical bars depending on space and data type.
o Ensure consistent bar width and spacing.
o Label the axes and provide a clear legend if needed.

3. Line Graphs

• What It Is: A graph that uses points connected by lines to represent data
trends over time or continuous variables.
• Best For:
o Displaying trends, changes, or patterns over time.
o Highlighting progress, growth, or decline.
o Showing relationships between two variables.
• How to Use:
o Use a clearly labeled x-axis (usually time) and y-axis (measurement or
variable).
o Mark data points and connect them with lines for easy visualization.
o Add multiple lines if comparing multiple trends (use distinct colors or
markers).

4. Pie Charts

• What It Is: A circular chart divided into slices, with each slice representing a
proportion of the whole.
• Best For:
o Showing proportions or percentages of a total.
o Representing parts of a whole in an easily understandable way.
o Highlighting dominant categories or imbalances.
• How to Use:
o Ensure that the total adds up to 100%.
o Label each slice or use a legend for clarity.
o Avoid too many slices (ideally fewer than 6) to prevent visual clutter.

Tips for Effective Data Presentation:

1. Understand Your Audience: Choose a method that matches their level of

understanding and the message you want to convey.
2. Use Consistent Formatting: Maintain uniform scales, fonts, and color
schemes for a professional look.
3. Simplify Visuals: Avoid overcrowding graphs or charts; focus on clarity.
4. Provide Context: Include titles, legends, and labels to help the audience
interpret the data correctly.
5. Check Accuracy: Ensure all data presented is accurate, and the visual
method does not distort the information.