Data Collection method in research method
- 1. CHAPTER TWO Methods Of Data Collection, Organization And Presentation By Aschalew M.
- 2. Learning Objectives At the end of this session the participant will be able to: • Understand the different techniques and tools of data collection • Use appropriate data collection techniques when planning and conducting research
- 3. Commonly used data collection techniques • Using available information/Document review • Observation • Interviewing (face-to-face) • Administering written questionnaires • Focus group discussions
- 4. Using available information • Analysis of the information routinely collected by health facilities is very useful for identifying problems • Other sources of available data – newspapers, published case histories etc.
- 5. Using available information cont… • Advantage of available data – collection is inexpensive • Disadvantage of existing data: – It is some times difficult to gain access to records or reports – Data may not always be complete and precise enough, or too disorganized
- 6. Observation Observation is a technique that involves systematically selecting, watching and recording behavior and characteristics of living beings, objects or phenomena
- 7. Observation cont’d… Observation of human behavior can be undertaken in different ways: A) participant observation – observer takes part in the situation he or she observes Eg. A doctor hospitalized with a broken hip, who now observes hospital procedures ‘from within’
- 8. Observation cont’d… B) Non-participant observation – observer watches the situation, openly or concealed, but does not participate
- 9. Observation cont’d… • Observation can give additional, more accurate information on behavior of people than interviews or questionnaires • as observations are time consuming they are most often used in small scale studies • Observations can also be made on objects E.g the presence or absence of latrines and the state of cleanliness
- 10. Interviewing • It involves oral questioning of respondents, either individually or as a group • Answers can be recorded by: – writing them down – tape-recording – combination of them • Interviews can be conducted with varying degree of flexibility (high degree of flexibility Vs low degree of flexibility)
- 11. Interview cont’d… Qualitative Interviews (In-Depth Interview) • Qualitative interview is a process of two people understanding each other Key Informant Interview • Key Informant interview is an in-depth interview with a key informant • Key informant is an individual selected due to his knowledge, previous experience and social status • Selection is not random and there is potential for bias
- 12. Interview cont’d… Types of interviews • structured interviews • unstructured interviews • semi-structured interviews
- 13. Interview cont’d… Structured interviews (standardized interviews) • Often used in quantitative research • There is low degree of flexibility • the same set of questions are asked, in the same order, using the same words, to different interviewees
- 14. Interview cont’d… Unstructured interviews • Interviews without predetermined set of questions • Researchers and interviewees talk freely • Often used in combination with observation • Interview is flexible and highly responsive to individual differences and emerging new information • Researchers have to generate relevant questions based on their interaction with the interviewees
- 15. Interview cont’d… Semi-structured interviews (Guided Interview) • Researchers prepare interview guides that consist of a set of questions to initiate discussion • Researchers generate other questions (probes) in interesting areas of inquiry during the interviews • Widely used as the qualitative interview method
- 16. Interview cont’d… Qualitative Interview – Advantage • Usually yield richest data • Permit face-to-face contact with respondents • Provide opportunity to explore topics in depth • Flexible according to particular individuals or circumstances - allow explaining or clarifying questions
- 17. Interview cont’d… Qualitative Interview –Disadvantage • Expensive and time-consuming • Need well-qualified (highly trained) interviewers • Interviewee may distort information due to the desire to please interviewer • Flexibility can result in inconsistencies across interviews • Volume of information too large; may be difficult to transcribe and reduce data
- 18. Administering written questionnaires (self-administered questionnaire) Written questions are presented that are to be answered by the respondents in written form
- 19. Administering written questionnaires cont’d… A written questionnaire can be administered in different ways, such as by: • Sending questionnaires by mail • Gathering all or part of the respondents in one place at one time, giving oral or written instructions, and letting them fill out the questionnaires • Hand-delivering questionnaires to respondents and collecting them later
- 20. Administering written questionnaires cont’d… Advantages: • less expensive • permits anonymity & may result in more honest responses • does not require research assistants • eliminates bias due to phrasing questions differently with different respondents
- 21. Administering written questionnaires cont’d… Disadvantages: • Cannot be used with illiterates • there is often a low rate of response • questions may be misunderstood
- 22. Focus Group Discussion/ Interview • One or two researchers and several participants meet as a group to discuss a given research topic • Focused - guided by a set of specific topics (questions) • Participants are generally homogenous on particular characteristics of relevance to the topic • Encourages group interaction - participants can influence and be influenced by other participants
- 23. FGD cont’d… • Complement other methods - Important to develop culturally relevant questionnaire • Number of people: small enough for everyone to have a chance to talk, large enough to provide diversity of opinions (Usually 8-12)
- 24. FGD cont’d… Use of Focus Group Discussion • When group interaction will help address your research question: bring out diverse points of view • When breadth of data is more important than depth • topic is NOT sensitive
- 25. FGD cont’d… FGD: Advantages • Do not discriminate against people who can not read and write • Encourages participants reluctant to be interviewed • Participant interaction helps weed out false and extreme views • Help researcher to know expressions and slang
- 26. FGD cont’d… FGD: Disadvantages • The results are more subject to interpretive bias and error • Analysis process is more time-consuming • Investigator risks getting too much unnecessary information
- 27. Differences between data collection techniques and data collection tools Data collection techniques Data collection tools Using available information Checklist; data compilation forms Observation Eyes and other senses, pen/paper, watch, scales, microscope, etc.. Interviewing Interview guide, checklist, questionnaire, tape recorder Administering written questionnaire Questionnaire
- 28. Reading Assignment • How are the different types of data collection tools developed?
- 30. References • Bowling A. Research Methods in Health. Investigating Health and Health Services. Open University Press, 2000 • John W. Creswell. Research Design. Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches (third edn). SAGE Publications, Inc., 2009 • Davies M. Brett. Doing a successful research project. Using Qualitative or Quantitative Methods. Palgrave macmillan, 2007