Data collection methods entail the collection of evidence based on facts or figures where a valid conclusion may be drawn from. Data can be either quantitative or qualitative. The qualitative data is the data obtained from observations, tales or attributes while the qualitative data signifies the data that can be represented in numerical terms. Data can be of two types, the primary and the secondary data. Primary data is that collected at first hand while, secondary data entails the data that is collected from written media or from a third party.
Three ways emerge on how data can be collected. The first method of data collection entails the use of survey technique for formal research. Survey technique involves a one on one, mailed (questionnaires) or the use of a telephone. Data can also be collected in the form of observation which involves participant and non participant forms of observation. Participant observation involves a physical involvement or a direct involvement by the researcher while, a non-participant observation involves an indirect involvement in the research through watching openly of an event or when concealed without taking part into the activity. The third form of data collection methods involve the use of the key informant interviews that occur between the researcher and the respondent. Focus group discussions also emerge as being an effective method of data collection since it involves the contributions of a group of five to ten members being guided through some questions by a moderator.
What tools can be used to collect data
Various tools exist in the collection of data and these are, through oral interviews questionnaires, direct observation and the use of experimentation .Questionnaires are sets of questions given to a respondent so that he or she can record the answers relevant to the topic of discussion. They can be divided into two i.e. the structured and the unstructured questionnaires. The structured questionnaires can further be divided as open and close ended questionnaires. Interviews are tools used to obtain the respondents issues on the discussed topic. This can occur as direct or indirect interviews .Direct interviews involve the face to face conversations that exist between the respondent and the interviewer while indirect interviews entail the responder contributing to nearly all the responses. Observation as a tool in this case involves the use of sight, photography and any visible printed matter that generally focuses on the topic of discussion. It is divided into direct and indirect observation. Direct observation entails what has been observed while indirect observation is what has been heard.
What are some of the subject that comes about with the collection of data?
The choice of a tool to be used during data collection varies with the type of data being cololected.when too much data is collected, survey research design is used as compared to the use of interviews or observation. In this case the two later cases will be cumbersome and expensive. When quality data is required, observation and interviews become the most effective tools.
Which tools more appropriate for collecting certain types of data and why?
Various tools vary in accordance to the task at hand and they are all appropriate in their sectors of data collection. Observation is the most effective way of data collection since you are able to actually see what is happening on at the ground as compared to the use of mailed questionnaire. Bruce, L. asserts that, this is so since, when a respondent is alone he or she may practice bias in therefore providing wrong information. Interviews are also effective means of communication when conducting a direct interview since the researcher is able to clearly establish the responder’s confidence therefore providing vital information in the topic of discussion.