Compilation and interpretation of primary and secondary sources of information. The integration of different sources will consolidate the write up of the report.

1. DATA
COLLECTION

2.  Compilation and interpretation of primary and secondary
sources of information.
 The integration of different sources will consolidate the
write up of the report.
DATA
COLLECTION

3. SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Primary SourcePrimary Source
•Data is collected by
researcher himself
•Data is gathered
through questionnaire,
interviews,
observations etc.
Secondary SourceSecondary Source
•Data collected,
compiled or
written by other
researchers eg. books,
journals, newspapers
•Any reference must
be acknowledged

4. STEPS TO COLLECT DATA
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONDATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
REVIEW & COMPILE SECONDARY SOURCE INFORMATIONREVIEW & COMPILE SECONDARY SOURCE INFORMATION
(Referred to in the BACKGROUND/ INTRODUCTION section of report)
REVIEW & COMPILE SECONDARY SOURCE INFORMATIONREVIEW & COMPILE SECONDARY SOURCE INFORMATION
(Referred to in the BACKGROUND/ INTRODUCTION section of report)
PLAN & DESIGN DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTSPLAN & DESIGN DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS
TO GATHER PRIMARY INFORMATIONTO GATHER PRIMARY INFORMATION
(Referred to in the FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS &
RECOMMENDATIONS sections of report)
PLAN & DESIGN DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTSPLAN & DESIGN DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS
TO GATHER PRIMARY INFORMATIONTO GATHER PRIMARY INFORMATION
(Referred to in the FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS &
RECOMMENDATIONS sections of report)
DATA COLLECTIONDATA COLLECTIONDATA COLLECTIONDATA COLLECTION

5. METHODS USED
TO COLLECT
PRIMARY SOURCE DATA
1. Interviews
2. Questionnaires
3. Survey
4. Experimentation
5. Case Study
6. Observation
However, for a small-scale study, the most commonly used
methods are interviews, survey questionnaires and observations.

6. Effective way
of gathering
information
INTERVIEW
Involves verbal
and non-verbal
communications
Can be conducted
face to face, by telephone,
online or through mail

7. Steps To An Effective
Interview
Prepare your interview schedule
Select your subjects/ key informants
Conduct the interview
Analyze and interpret data collected from the interview

8. The most common
data collection instrument
Survey
Questionnaire
Useful to collect
quantitative and qualitative
information
Should contain 3 elements:
1. Introduction – to explain the objectives
2. Instructions – must be clear, simple language & short
3. User-friendly – avoid difficult or ambiguous questions

9. 2 Basic Types of survey
questions:
1. Open-ended
Questions
 Free-response
(Text Open End)
 Fill-in relevant
information
2. Close-ended
Questions
 Dichotomous
question
 Multiple-choice
 Rank
 Scale
 Categorical
 Numerical
Note: For specific examples and students’ activities on each question style,
please refer to the notes on Data Collection in the e-learning.

10. Steps To An Effective Survey Questionnaire
Prepare your survey questions
(Formulate & choose types of questions, order them, write instructions, make copies)
Select your respondents/sampling
Random/Selected
Administer the survey questionnaire
(date, venue, time )
Analyze and interpret data collected
Tabulate data collected
(Statistical analysis-frequency/mean/correlation/% )

11. Observe verbal &
non-verbal communication,
surrounding atmosphere,
culture & situation
Observations
Need to keep
meticulous records of
the observations
Can be done through discussions,
observations of habits, rituals,
review of documentation,
experiments

12. Steps To An Effective Observation
Determine what needs to be observed
(Plan, prepare checklist, how to record data)
Select your participants
Random/Selected
Conduct the observation
(venue, duration, recording materials, take photographs )
Analyze and interpret data collected
Compile data collected

13. DATA ANALYSIS
3. In a small scale study, the most common forms of statistical
analysis presented are:
•Frequency
•Mean
•Percentage
1. To analyse data from interviews and observation, use
Summary sheet
Checklist
2. To analyse data from questionnaires, use
Manually
SPSS

14. DATA INTERPRETATION
1. It involves 2 terms
• ‘Results’ – presentation of data/findings (statistics)
• ‘Discussion’ – interpretation of data/findings
2. Things to consider when interpreting your data:
• Interpret findings based on the purpose and
objectives of your study
• Relate the findings to real life context
• Use persuasive language to convince your readers
to see the research from your point of view.
• Order your interpretation to highlight the most important
findings
• Include limitations to your research.
• Use simple, clear language

15. HAVE A NICE DAY