Instrument design

 Qualitative Data Collection Methods

 Quantitative Data Collection Methods

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 Data Collection Instrument
Before starting to collect data, a researcher should decide:
 What data to collect

 Where or from whom the data will be obtain

 What instrument/s or device/s to use in collecting the data.

Do you have the time for:

 Designing your collection instrument?

 Selecting your population or sample?

 Pretesting/piloting the instrument?

 Administration of the instrument?

 Entry/collection of data?

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 Data Collection Instrument (cont’d)

 Choice of Data collection instrument depends on the

objectives and design of the study and the

availability of time, money and personnel.
 If that data exist in secondary form, then use them to

the extent you can, keeping in mind limitations.

 But if it does not, and you are able to fund primary

collection, then it is the method of choice.

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 Qualitative Data Collection
Approaches :
 Direct interaction with individuals on a one to one basis

 Direct interaction with individuals in a group setting

 Collection of Qualitative data is time consuming, therefore data is

usually collected from a smaller sample .

 The main methods for collecting qualitative data are:

 Individual interviews (in-depth interview)

 Observations

 Focus groups

 Participatory approaches

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 Interview
 The interview method of collecting data involves
presentation of oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral-
verbal responses.
 Interview involves an interviewer reading questions to

respondents and recording their answers.

 An interview is a verbal interchange, often face to face,

though the telephone may be used.

 An interviewer tries to elicit information, beliefs or opinions

from another person (Interviewee).

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 Interview (Cont’d)
As per flexibility, interview can be classified as
 Structured Interview
 Unstructured Interview
Structured interviews
 The interviewer asks a predetermined set of questions, using the
same wording and order of questions as specified in the
interview schedule.
 It follows a rigid procedure laid down, asking questions in a
form and order prescribed.
 It requires fewer interviewing skills.

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 Interview (Cont’d)
Unstructured Interviews
 It provides freedom for the interviewer in terms of content,

order and structure.

 Also have complete freedom in terms of the wording and

the way you explain questions to your respondents.

 You may formulate questions and raise issues on the spur of

the moment, depending upon what occurs to you in the

context of the discussion.
 It is used in both qualitative and quantitative research.

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 Interview (Cont’d)
Personal interviews:
 The interviewer asking questions generally in a face-to-face
contact to the respondent.
Advantage
 Physical stimuli can be used and respondents are able to be
observed.
Disadvantage
 It may lead to interviewer bias.
 High cost per respondent.
 Geographical limitations
 Time pressure on respondents
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 Interview (Cont’d)
Telephone interviews
 contacting respondents on telephone for the purpose of
interview.
Advantage
 Good geographical coverage and personal interaction
 Less time consuming and less expensive
Disadvantage
 Interviewer bias,
 Lower response rate
 Inability to use visual help

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 Observation Method
 It is systematic noting and recording of events, behaviors, and

artifacts (objects) in the social setting chosen for study.

 Field notes—detailed,

 Nonjudgmental, concrete descriptions of what has been

observed
 Structured observation studies: Preparing number of areas to

observe
 Unstructured observation studies . Researcher does not have

define ideas of the particular aspects

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 Observation Method (Cont’d)
 Two types of Observation

1. Participant observation is when you, as a researcher,

participate in the activities of the group being observed in the

same manner as its members, with or without their knowing
that they are being observed.`
2. Non-participant observation the researcher, do not get

involved in the activities of the group but remain a passive

observer, watching and listening to its activities and drawing
conclusions from this.

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 Observation Method (Cont’d)
Advantages :
 Data more reliable and free from respondent bias

 Easier to note the effects of environmental influences

on the specific outcome

 Easier to observe certain groups of individual

Disadvantages
 Observer must be present

 Needed to be trained

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 Focus Group
 It is a group discussion on a particular topic organized for

research purposes. This discussion is guided, monitored and

recorded by a researcher (sometimes called a moderator or
facilitator).
 The size of the group ranges from 6 to 12 people.

 The interviewer (Moderator) creates a supportive environment,

asking focused questions to encourage discussion and the

expression of differing opinions and points of view.

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 Focus Group (Cont’d)
 These interviews may be conducted several times with
different individuals.
 To gather additional information as an adjunct to quantitative
data collection methods.
Advantages focus group
 Quick and relatively easy to set up.
 The group dynamic can provide useful information that
individual data collection does not provide.
 Is useful in gaining insight into a topic that may be more
difficult to gather through other data collection methods.

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 Focus Group (Cont’d)
Disadvantages of focus groups
 Susceptible to facilitator bias.

 It can be dominated or sidetracked by a few individuals.

 Data analysis is time consuming and needs to be well

planned in advance.
 Does not provide valid information at the individual

level.
 The information is not representative of other groups.

 Difficult control over a group

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 Participatory Research
 Involve groups or communities heavily in data

collection
 Examples:

 community meetings

 mapping

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 Community Meetings
 Directly engaging communities and community
knowledge in the research process and its outcomes
 One of the most common participatory methods

 Must be well organized

 Agree on purpose

 Establish ground rules

 who will speak

 time allotted for speakers

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 format for questions and answers
 Advantage of Community Meetings
 Facilitate collaborative, equitable partnerships

 Balance the research for the benefit of all

 Build on community strengths and resources (assets)

 Promote joint learning, skill-sharing and capacity building

among all partners

 Engage in a long-term process and commitment

 Emphasize and engage in addressing local problems

 Disseminate findings and knowledge gained to all partners and

involves partners in the process of taking action or next steps

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 Questionnaire
 It is a data collection instrument consistent of a series of
questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering
information from respondents.
 It is a written list of questions, the answers to which are
recorded by respondents.
 In a questionnaire, the respondents read the questions,
interpret what is expected and then write down the answers.
 In interview, the interviewer asks the questions (and if
necessary, explains them) and records the respondent’s
replies on an interview schedule.

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 Questionnaire (Cont’d)
Steps required to design and administer a
questionnaire
1. Defining the Objectives of the Study

2. Define the target respondents and methods to reach

them.
3. Questionnaire Design

4. Pilot Testing

5. Questionnaire Administration

6. Results Interpretation
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 Questionnaire (Cont’d)
Defining the Objectives of the Study
 A questionnaire should allow us to collect the most

complete and accurate data in a logical flow.

 A well-designed questionnaire should meet the

research goal and objectives and minimize

unanswered questions a common problem bound
to many surveys.

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 Questionnaire (Cont’d)
Define the target respondents and methods to reach them

 The researcher should clearly define the target, study

populations from which she/ he collects data and

information.
 Main methods of reaching the respondents are:

personal contact, group of focus interview, mail-based

questionnaires, telephone interview.

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 Questionnaire (Cont’d)
Writing the Questionnaire
 The researcher should decide on the questionnaire content.

 Each question should contribute to testing one or more

hypothesis/ research question established in the research design.

Questions could be:
 Open format questions: that are without a predetermined set of

responses.
 Closed format questions: that take the form of a multiple-choice

question.

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 Questionnaire (Cont’d)
Points to be considered when writing questionnaires
 Clarity: Question has the same meaning for all respondents)

 Phrasing:

 short and simple sentences

 only one piece of information at a time,

 avoid negatives if possible,

 ask precise questions with respondent level of knowledge

 Sensitive question: keen attention to approaches in formulating

questions that could be embarrassing to respondents.

 Hypothetical Questions should be at avoided if possible.

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 Questionnaire (Cont’d)

Questionnaire pilot testing

 It helps to identify and solve the confusing points, we

need to pre-test the questionnaire.

 During the pilot trial: the questionnaire participants

should be randomly selected from the study

population.

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 Assignment
Prepare Questionnaire for your research proposal.
 It has to have cover page the address of the researchers.
Debre Berhan University
....
Questionnaire for Gathering Information
on . . . .
 It has to have about half page description of objective
Dear Respondents, The objective of the
 questionnaire is to . . . . .
. . . . . . Feel free and confident to respond
each question
 It has to start with demographic Question
 Prepare closed ended and open ended Question (if needed)
 You can use rated scale questions (if needed).
 All your prepared question has to seek solution for the research
problem written in your research proposal
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