DATA GATHERING PROCEDURES

DATA COLLECTION METHOD & RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS

Researchers can choose the type of instruments to be used based on their research questions or
objectives. There are two broad categories of instruments namely, (1) researcher-completed instruments and (2)
subject-completed instruments. By definition, researcher-completed instruments as the name suggest are tools that
are completed by the researcher and that the researcher serves as the primary data collector. On the contrary,
subject-completed instruments are tools that are completed by the subject (research respondents) of the study.

Here are some examples.

Researcher- completed instruments Subject- completed instruments
Rating scales Questionnaires
Interview schedules/guides Self-checklists
Tally sheets Attitude scales
Flowcharts Personality inventories
Performance checklists Achievement/aptitude tests
Time and motion log Projective devices
Observation forms Sociometric devices
In addition to the classification of research instruments above, research instruments can also be classified as
researcher-made or adapted instruments. Researcher-made instruments are research tools that are created and
developed by the researcher. It needs to be validated before it will be utilized in the study. On the other hand,
adapted instruments are research instruments that had been developed and validated by other researchers but can
be modified and utilized to the current study. Permission from the developers of these research instruments must be
asked before the said instruments will be utilized. Seeking permission is an ethical consideration that needs to be
practiced. Ethical considerations will be discussed in the latter part of this module and will also be thoroughly
discussed in Research II.

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 Choosing what instrument/s to be used to gather the needed data in one’s study is a critical stage to be
undergone with care. The validity of the research findings and the conclusion drawn from them greatly depends on
the quality and characteristics of the instruments used. Accordingly, a research instrument is deemed good if it is
valid and reliable. Validity refers to the extent to which the instrument measures what it intends to measure and
performs as it is designed to perform. It is generally impossible for an instrument to be 100 % valid yet instruments
must be validated before usage to test and measure its accuracy. Pilot testing and statistical tests were commonly
done to test the validity of a research instrument. On the other hand, reliability refers to the consistency of the
instrument. Consistency to the extent that the instrument is expected to obtain approximately the same responses or
results when applied, administered, or used in similar circumstances.

DATA GATHERING PROCEDURES

Preliminary activities

Prior to the conduct of your study or before your data-gathering activity, preliminary activities must be
taken for ethical considerations. These preliminary activities include asking for permission from authorities and
institutions concerned with your research environments and respondents. Second, a consent form must be drafted if
you will make use of humans as your research respondents. Further, your research instruments must be subjected to
validity and reliability checks. These procedures must be stated on the data gathering procedure part of your
research proposal and these documents must be appended in your paper.

Data collection methods/procedures

Data collection or data gathering is defined as the “process of gathering and measuring information on
variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer queries, stated research
questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes”. There are numerous ways on how to collect data as it depends
on your research design and the methodologies used in your research. The following are the six most commonly used
methods in collecting data:

1. Experiment. Experiment is the process that is primarily used to collect data in scientific investigations.
It contains a series of steps or procedures to be undertaken. It is through the results of the experiments that the
hypothesis of the study may be proven to be acceptable or not. It is used to test a causal relationship. In doing so,
variables must be determined and controlled. Some variables are manipulated and their effects on others are
measured.

Here is a part of a data logbook:

Height of plants in centimeters every after
3 days
Day 1 Day 3 Day 6 Day 9 Day Day
Set-ups 12 15 Average
Control set-
ups
Experimental
Set-up
The researcher will measure the height of the plants using a meterstick or a ruler and record the raw data in
the data logbook or notebook for analysis and interpretation.

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2. Questionnaires and Surveys

This method is commonly used in research to understand the general characteristics or opinions of a group
of people. It contains a list of questions that can be distributed and answered to a sample online, in person,
or over the phone. These questions can be close-ended or open-ended depending on the nature of the study
and what type of data is needed. It ranges from list, category, ranking, grid, multiple-choice questions,
dichotomous questions, pictorial questions, and scale. It could be paper-pencil or web-based. Checklists and
rating scales are often used. The good thing about questionnaires and surveys is that they are self-reported.
Tests either standardized or not like entrance tests, aptitude tests, periodical tests, and diagnostic tests are
some of the examples of this tool.

Here are some examples:

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3. Interview
It is a one-on-one interactive discourse between the researcher and the research participant or
Here is an example of an
informant. This process involves the researcher asking some questions to the participant where a
response or an answer is expected. The dialogue is aided with prompts. It is used to gain an in-depth
understanding of perceptions or opinions on a topic. It can be structured or unstructured. A
structured interview is used if the researcher asks a standard set of questions and nothing more. An
unstructured or in-depth interview is used if a rigid format is not present and follow-up questions
depend on the answers of the respondents. The interviewer is the primary research instrument in
an interview. An interview guide and an audio-video recorder are also used in this method.
Oftentimes, interview sessions are recorded with the consent of the respondents for data
processing and analysis.

int
erview guide:

4. Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

A focus group is simply a group interview of people who all have something in common. It
involves the gathering of individuals with similar backgrounds, experiences, or expertise
together to talk and discuss about certain specific topics of interest. This method involves
asking open-ended questions to a group of individuals usually ranging from 6-12 people, to
provide feedback. Like an interview, the interviewer, most appropriately called a moderator is
the main instrument. Further, a focus group discussion guide or an interview schedule and an
audio-video recorder are useful tools used in this method. The FGD guide contains a specified

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 list of topics and open-ended questions that the moderator needs to cover. FGD session/s are
recorded with the consent of the participants for data processing and analysis.

5. Observations

It is a data collection method that makes use of the senses of the researcher. It is used to
understand phenomena or events in natural or laboratory settings. Moreover, it involves
collecting information without asking questions. It seeks to measure or survey a sample
without trying to affect them. Though it can be subjective, it can determine the dynamics of a
situation, which generally cannot be measured through other data collection techniques. There
are two types of observation based on the context of the data collected. When the
observational data is collected from a carefully set-up facility (i.e., inside the research
laboratory), it is called laboratory observation. The other type of observation is naturalistic
observation, which is carried out in the field, or in the real world where the participants
naturally live, perform their daily routine, and where the behavior occurs naturally. Naturalistic
observation is mainly used in ethnographic studies but can also be used in other researches.
Observation can both gather qualitative and quantitative data. Checklists along with other data
collection instruments (i.e., camera, recorder, laptop) are commonly used by the observers to
produce a record that serves as data for coding and analysis. The checklist in quantitative
observation is more specific, detailed, and structured in a close-ended format than those in
qualitative observation. Field notes are the research instrument in this method where the notes
containing all observations are written down. As a researcher, you must always remember and
take note of what you have observed right away to avoid forgetting details. The researcher,
then in this method is a very important tool in collecting data.

Here is an example:
Substances Color Change Observed in pH Indicators
Sweet potato Teak extract Mayana Universal
tops extract extract pH paper
1. Bleach

2. Liquid
detergent
3. Muriatic
acid
4. Shampoo

5. Soda

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 6. Existing secondary data
Secondary or existing data are available data that have been collected, recorded, or may be
abandoned by any researcher in their previous study but may be of use to another researcher.
These include attendance records, minutes of the meeting, financial records, yearly reports of
agencies, financial records, personal documents, government documents, physical data, and
archived data. These resources may be paper-based or electronic. Paper-based sources are
those from books, journals, periodicals, manuscripts, documents, or records from libraries and
the like. Electronic sources come from CD-ROMs, online databases, internet, videos, and
broadcasts. The emerging data collection method for secondary data is called data mining.

Ethical Considerations in Research

In conducting research, certain norms and rules of conduct must be observed. These norms and
rules will distinguish what is right or wrong and what is acceptable or not in the field of research. Why is
it important for researchers and investigators to follow ethical standards in the conduct of research?
These ethics help assure that the research is conducted safely, and the results are reliable. Every
researcher and investigator are expected to adhere to these ethical standards. Here are the general
ethical principles in doing research:

1. Honesty -Strive for honesty in all scientific communications. Honestly report data, results, methods
and procedures, and publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. Do not
deceive colleagues, sponsors, or the public.

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2. Objectivity -Strive to avoid or minimize bias or self-deception in doing research. Disclose personal
or financial interests that may affect research.
3. Integrity -Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; strive for consistency of thought
and action.
4. Carefulness -Avoid careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine one’s research.
Keep good records of research activities.
5. Openness -Share data, ideas, and resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.
6. Intellectual Property- Do not use unpublished data, methods, or results without permission. Give
proper acknowledgment or credit for all contributions to research by honoring patents and
copyrights. Never plagiarize.
7. Confidentiality-Protect confidential communications and information. Do not disclose the identity
of research respondents.
8. Responsible Publication -Publish to advance research and scholarship, not to advance just your
career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.
9. Responsible Mentoring -Help to educate, mentor, and advise students.
Promote their welfare and allow them to make their own decisions.
10.Social Responsibility -Strive to promote social good and prevent or mitigate social harm through
research, public education, and advocacy.
11.Non-Discrimination -Avoid discrimination against colleagues or students based on sex, race,
ethnicity, or other factors not related to scientific competence and integrity.
12.Competence -Maintain and improve your professional competence and expertise through lifelong
education and learning.
13.Legality -Know and obey relevant laws and institutional/governmental policies.
14.Animal Care -Show proper respect and care for animals when using them in research. Do not
conduct unnecessary or poorly designed animal experiments.
15.Human Subjects Protection -When conducting research on human subjects, the researcher must tell
their subjects about any potential risks of the research. Subjects also must be told that they can
refuse to participate in the research. Consent must be given before the study can be conducted. The
researcher must minimize harms and risks and maximize benefits and take special precautions,
respect human dignity, privacy, and autonomy.

Ethics in research promotes the aim of research, such as knowledge, truth, and avoidance of
error. It promotes values that are essential in collaborative work, such as trust, accountability, mutual
respect, and fairness. In addition, it helps to ensure that researchers can be held accountable to the
public. Moreover, ethical norms in research also help to build public support for research. People are
more likely to fund a research project if they can trust the quality and integrity of the research. Finally,
many of the norms of research promote a variety of other important moral and social values such as
social responsibility, human rights, animal welfare, compliance with the law, and public health and
safety as ethical lapses in research can significantly harm human and animal subjects, students, and the
public.