tools of data collection

1. TOOLS OF DATA COLLECTIONTOOLS OF DATA COLLECTION

2. TOOLSTOOLS
The various methods of data gathering involve the use of
appropriate recording forms.
• Observation schedule
• Interview guide
• Interview schedule
• Mailed questionnaire
• Rating scale
• Checklist
• Document schedule/data sheet
• Schedule for institutions

3. FunctionsFunctions
• Translate the research objective into specific
questions/items
• Provides description of the characteristics of
individuals, institutions, etc..
• It is useful for measuring the various variables
pertaining to the study
• Helps in testing hypothesis

4. Observation scheduleObservation schedule
• Form, on which observation is recorded
• Items to be determined with reference to the nature
and objective of the study
• Grouped into appropriate categories and listed in the
schedule in the order in which the observer would
observe them

5. Interview schedule
• Refers to a set of questions that the interviewer will
ask the respondent
• Used in face – face interview
• The interviewer records or fills in the questions
Interview scheduleInterview schedule

6. Interview guideInterview guide
• Used for non- directive and depth interview
• It contains only the broad topics or areas to be
covered
• Serves as a suggestive reference or prompter during
interview

7. Questionnaire
• Involves sending questionnaire to the respondents
with a request to complete them and return
• Filled in by the respondent
• And this tool can be used only on literates
QuestionnaireQuestionnaire

8. DifferenceDifference
Schedule Questionnaire
Filled in by the interviewer Filled in by the
respondents
Conducted to cover small
geographical area
Conducted to cover a large
geographical area
Greater expenditure and
time consuming
Less expense and limited
time requirement
Respondents can be
illiterates
Respondents have to be
literates

9. Rating Scale: This is a recording form used for measuring
individual's attitudes, aspirations and other psychological and
behavioural aspects, and group behaviour.
Checklist: This is the simplest of all the devices. It consists of a
repared list of items with respect to an object or a particular task.
The presence or absence of each item may be indicated by
checking 'yes' or 'no' or multipoint scale. The use of a checklist
ensures a more complete consideration of all aspects of the
object, act or task.
Opinionaire: studying the opinions of people

10. Document Schedule/Data Sheet.: This is a list of items of
information to be obtained from documents, records and other
materials. In order to secure measurable data, the items included
in the schedule are limited to those that can be uniformly
secured from a large number of case histories or other records.
Schedule for Institutions: This is used for survey of organisations
like business enterprises, educational institutions, social or
cultural organisations and the like. It will include various
categories of data relating to their profile, functions and
performance. These data are gathered from their records, annual
reports and financial statements.

11. Construction of schedule and
questionnaire
Construction of schedule and
questionnaire
• Data need determination
Data required for a specific study can be determined by deep analysis
of the research objectives, investigative questions, hypothesis, and
operational definition of the concepts used in them
• Preparation of “dummy tables”- adequate coverage of the
information required for the study and also with securing the
information in the most usable form.
Dummy tables display the data to be gathered.
This table help to identify gaps & duplications in the instrument.

12. • Determination of the respondents level
1. Who are our respondents?
2. Are they persons with specialized knowledge relating to the problem
under study? Or are they lay people?
The choice of words and concepts depends upon the level of the
respondents knowledge.
• Data gathering method decision
We must choose the method of data collection to be used.
• Instrument drafting
a) Listing various broad categories
b) The sequence of grouping
c) Questions under each group heading

13. • Evaluation of draft
a) Relevance of each question
b) The appropriate type of questions
c) Clarity of the questions
d) Practicability of the questions
e) The validity of the questions
• Pre testing
The revised draft must be pre-tested in order to identify the weakness
of the instrument & to make the required further revisions to rectify
them.
• Specification of procedures
After the pre-test the procedure or instructions, relating to the use of
the tools must be specified

14. • Designing the format
a) It should suite the need of the researcher .
b) The instrument should be divided into different sections
relating to the different aspects of the problem.
c) Each section heading should be printed in thick and bold
letters.
d) Sufficient spaces between the options

15. Question construction guidelines
1. Question relevance and content
• Relevance to research objective
• Coverage
2. Questionnaire should be brief
3. A question should not overtax the respondent’s
recall ability

16. 4. Questions pertaining to topic should be specific
5. Questions should not be beyond the respondents
knowledge.
6. Questions that are likely to arouse bias should be
avoided
7. Logical sequence to be followed

17. 8. Mailed questionnaire should always be accompanied
by a letter providing
• Introduction of the org. conducting the study
• Purpose of the study
• Directions to fill the questionnaire
• Time requirement
• Anonymity of identity
• A request to return the questionnaire
9. Wording of questions
10. Appropriate ending to the session

18. Types of questionnaire
1. Degree of structure
• Structured
• Unstructured
2. Number of response possibilities
a) Open – ended questions
b) Closed questions
• Dichotomous or two choice questions
• Multiple choice
• Declarative questions

19. • Dichotomous or two choice questions
Eg. Do you own a house
Yes no
• Multiple choice questions
Eg. What is your monthly salary
Upto 1000
1000-2000
2000-3000
3000-4000

20. • Declarative question
Eg. Which of the following best describes your
company’s philosophy?
- A biz firm is responsible for making profit and
helping to solve social problems which it may create
directly
- A biz firm is responsible for making profit while
abiding by legal requirements

21. THINGS TO REMEMBER WHILE PREPARING A QUESTIONNAIRE (TO BE
AVOIDED)
Leading questions-influences the respondent to give a certain
answer. Does not elicit a correct view point of the respondent.
“You would like to own a new Maruthi car, wouldn’t you?
Ambiguous question- one that does not have a clear meaning. Mean
different things to different people.
“Are you interested in a small house”? Interested means to own or rent
Small means?

22. Double-barreled questions- force respondents to make two decisions in one.
For example, a question like:
“Do you think that students should have more classes about history and
culture?"
This question asks about two different issues:
"do you think that students should have more classes about history" &
"do you think that students should have more classes about culture?
(OR)
"How satisfied are you with your pay and job conditions?”
The answers in this situation may be 'yes' to the second and 'no' to the first,
'yes' to the first and 'no' to the second. If we decided to combine the two
questions and asked a double barreled question we may confuse
the respondents which may result in uncertain answers.
SO, DOUBLE BARRELED QUESTIONS SHOULD BE ELIMINATED

23. Double negative questions-for example:
"Please tell me whether or not you agree or disagree with this statement.-
Teaching assistants should not be required to help students outside of
class."
Respondents may confuse the meaning of the disagree option.
Loaded questions: is one contains words which are emotionally
colored and suggest automatic feeling of approval or disapproval.
Have you ever tired to get special favours from a your company by
pressurizing your manager? Yes_____ No________
When a woman asks a man:
Do I look fat in this?
Do you think she's pretty?

24. • Long question: when questions become long they often
become ambiguous and confusing

25. Guidelines of a good interview
• Advance planning
• Friendly and informal approach to be
undertaken during introduction
• Establishing rapport
• Free flowing interview

27. • A pilot study is a “small scale replica” of the
main study.
• It is the rehearsal of the main study
• It covers entire process of research: preparation
of a broad plan of the study, construction of tools,
collection of data, processing & analysis of data &
report writing
MEANING

28. Need of pilot study
• What are issues involved?
• What are the concepts associated with the
subject matter?
• What method of study is appropriate?
• How long the study will take?
• Cost?

29. • Provides better knowledge of the problem under study and its
dimensions
• This helps in identifying whether the available sampling frame is
adequate, complete, accurate, up to date and convenient
• It shows the adequacy of the tool for data collection
• Helps in discovering mechanical problems relating to
interview/mailing
• Assists in developing better approaches to target population
• Estimating probable cost and time taken for research
• Helps researchers in developing appropriate plan of analysis
functions

30. • It permits a thorough check of the planned statistical and
analytical procedures, giving you a chance to evaluate their
usefulness for the data. You may then be able to make needed
alterations in the data collecting methods, and therefore, analyze
data in the main study more efficiently
• It can greatly reduce the number of unanticipated problems
because you have an opportunity to redesign parts of your study to
overcome difficulties that pilot study reveals.
• In the pilot study, the researcher may try out a number of
alternative measures and then select those that produce the
clearest results for the main study.

31. • A pilot study is a dress referral of the full project, including
the questionnaire, the interviewers, and all other aspects.
• Often a sample of 30-50 responses are obtained, coded, and
analyzed. Questions that are not providing useful data are
discarded, and the final revisions of the questionnaire are
made.

32. PRETESTING
• Pretesting is critical for identifying questionnaire problems.
• Problems with how to skip or navigate from question to
question may result in missing data and frustration for both
interviewers and respondents. Questionnaire formatting
concerns are particularly relevant to self-administered
questionnaires, and if unaddressed, may lead to loss of vital
information.

33. • Pretesting is a broad term that incorporates many different
methods or combinations of methods.
• Show it to colleagues and key decision-makers. Are the
questions and responses valid and reliable? Are they
appropriate? Are they both necessary and sufficient?
• Administer the questionnaire to a small number of people who
resemble or are drawn from the population of interest, but it
does not have to be a random sample.
• Measure how much time it takes to complete each
questionnaire.
• Debrief the respondents (and the interviewers if applicable)
after they complete the questionnaire. Analyze the information
provided to clarify directions, question wording, or response
categories where necessary. Revise as needed.