Data collection methods
- 2. • task begins after a research problem has been defined and research design/ plan chalked out. • there are two types of data o primary o secondary.
- 3. • collected afresh for the first time • original in character. • collected during the course of doing experiments in an experimental research • descriptive type and perform surveys o either through observation o through direct communication or personal interviews.
- 4. observation method interview method through questionnaires o projective techniques o depth interviews o content analysis.
- 5. • already been collected by someone else and which have already been passed through the statistical process. • various sources • 2 types o Published o Non-published
- 6. • various publications of the central, state are local governments; • various publications of foreign governments or of international bodies and their subsidiary organisations; • technical and trade journals; • books, magazines and newspapers; • reports prepared by research scholars, universities, economists, etc. in different fields; • public records and statistics, historical documents, and other sources of published information.
- 7. • diaries • letters • unpublished biographies & autobiographies • other scholars research workers, trade associations, labor bureaus public/ private individuals and organizations.
- 8. • commonly used method specially in studies relating to behavioral sciences. • is systematically planned and recorded and is subjected to checks and controls on validity and reliability. • the information is sought by investigator’s own direct observation. • 2 approaches • 6 sub types
- 9. Qualitative Approach Quantitative Approach focuses on people behaving in natural settings and describing their world in their own words focuses on specific behaviors that can be easily quantified (i.e., counted). emphasize collecting in-depth information on a relatively few individuals or within a very limited setting Investigates generally include larger samples The conclusions are based on interpretations drawn by the investigator conclusions are based upon statistical analysis of data. Example conducting a series of focus groups in which 8 to 10 teenagers are there & engage them in a discussion about their perceptions and experiences using their own words and their own ways of thinking about the world and recording or taking down the observation. Example - developing a questionnaire that you would ask a sample of teenagers to complete. You could ask about the number of hours they work, the type of work they do, their levels of stress, their school grades
- 10. TYpes 1. naturalistic 2. laboraty 3. particapnt 4. non participant 5. structured 6. non structured
- 11. • field work or simply field observation • studying the spontaneous behavior of participants in natural surroundings. • Researcher doesn’t not attempt to influence the setting • researcher simply records what they see in whatever way they can. • roots in anthropology and study of animal behavior • currently widely used
- 12. • goal is to provide a complete and accurate picture of what occurred in the setting • keep detailed field notes ie. write or dictate on a regular basis. • Example Graham study et. All (2006) • A good naturalistic observation report will support the analysis by using multiple confirmations. • For example, similar events may occur several times, similar information may be reported by two or more people, and several different events may occur that all support the same conclusion.
- 13. • Directly observe the subject in natural setting • generate new ideas and insights • Data collection be both quantitative and qualitative in nature
- 14. • small scale - may lack a representative sample • less reliable as variables cannot be controlled – repeating the study is difficult • trained researcher required to recognise psychologically significant aspects of a situation • Observational bias
- 15. • Obersving behavuior in laboratory using standardized procedures • researcher decides where the observation will take place, at what time, with which participants, in what circumstances • Participants are randomly allocated to each independent variable group. • the participants know they are being observed.
- 16. Strengths • Easy to replicate hence reliable • Less time consuming than natural quick to conduct - many observations can be taken • Sample is large enough to be generalised Limitations • Hawthorne demand effect • or free will effect
- 17. • researcher joins in and becomes part of the group • get a deeper insight into their lives. • researcher's real identity and purpose concealed from the group • 2 types • identity of the observer is not known to other members disguised participant observation. • identity of the observer is known to other members disguised participant observation
- 18. Strengths • Observing the individual up close • Easy to explain the behaviour and situation Limitations • It can be difficult to get time / privacy for recording. • Observers bias
- 19. • researcher is eavesdropper • group is not aware of the presence • do not interact with group • Used while studying children and animals
- 20. Strengths • Participant act more realistically • No ethical issues • No observer bias Limitations • Participant may guess the identity of observer
- 21. • Early phase of research • Involves the researcher recording the behaviour they can see • Can be difficult without the use of recording equipment • No specificity
- 22. • Focus on specific behaviours • Data is numerically coded • Recording the observation provided a good reliable data
- 23. strengths • Greater control of sampling • Measurement of error • Generalisation, reliable and valid limitations • Language barrier • Cultural barrier • Free will
- 24. • subjective bias is eliminated, if observation is done accurately. • the information obtained under this method relates to what is currently happening; it is not complicated by either the past behaviour or future intentions or attitudes. • this method is independent of respondents’ willingness to respond
- 25. • it is an expensive method. • the information provided by this method is very limited. • sometimes unforeseen factors may interfere with the observational task. • At times, the fact that some people are rarely accessible to direct observation creates obstacle for this method to collect data effectively