This document discusses research methodology and data collection techniques, with a focus on integrating technology. It defines research methodology as the systematic analysis of methods used in a field of study. It describes various data collection techniques, such as interviews, questionnaires, and observations. It then discusses how technology can be used for data collection, including online surveys, mobile devices, and social media. The benefits of computer-based data collection are outlined, such as increased efficiency and reduced errors. The document also notes some challenges of online data collection methods.

1. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. INDEX:
1. MEANING OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2. MEANING OF DATA COLLECTION
3. DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
4. INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY INTO DATA
COLLECTION
5. USES OF COMPUTERS IN DATA COLLECTION
6. USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN DATA
COLLECTION

4. 1.MEANING OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 Research is the systematic investigation and study
of materials and sources to establish facts and
reach to new conclusions so it shapes people’s
understanding of the world around them.
 It is the systematic and theoretical analysis of the
methods applied to a field of study.
 It comprises the theoretical analysis of the body of
methods and principles associated with a branch
of knowledge.

5.  Through research findings , psychologists are able
to explain individual’s behaviors including how
people think and act in certain ways.
 According to” GODDARD & MELVILLE”
“ Research as careful investigation or
inquiry especially through search for new facts in
any branch of knowledge.”

6. 2.MEANING OF DATA COLLECTION
 Data collection is a process of gathering and organize
information on target variables in an established
systematic fashion , which then ensures one to answer
relevant questions and evaluate outcomes.
 It is one of the important component of research in all
fields of study including physical and social sciences ,
humanities and business , while methods of collecting
data vary but ensuring accurate and honest data
collection remains the same.

7. 3.DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
 Information we gather come from a range of
sources , likewise there is a variety of techniques to
use when gathering primary data .
 Listed below are some of the most common data
collection techniques are :-
1. INTERVIEWS
2. QUESTIONAIRS
3. OBSERVATIONS
4. FOCUS GROUPS

8. DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
(CONT.)
5. DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS
6. ETHNOGRAPHICS
7. ORAL HISTORY
8. CASE STUDIES etc.

9. 4.INTEGRATING TECHNILIGY INTO
DATA COLLECTION
 While using paper and pencil survey , is the tried
and true method of collecting data , technology is
rapidly becoming popular and more efficient way
to collect data , especially quantitative data . This
system provides and overview of the benefits and
challenges of using technology to collect data.

10. TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN
BE USED TO COLLECT DATA
 ONLINE OR WEB – BASED SURVEYS
 HAND – HELD DEVICES SUCH AS CLICKERS
AND PDA’S
 TEXT MESSAGES
 SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES SUCH AS
FACEBOOK , TWITTER , MYSPACE etc.

11. 5. USES OF COMPUTERS IN DATA
COLLECTION
 Replacing paper work and clipboards
 Saves time
 Speedy work
 Simplest way to collect data by using computer
tools
 More efficiency in data collection
 Less errors

12. EXAMPLES OF APPS USED IN
COMPUTERS FOR DATA COLLECTION
1. DEVICE MAGIC PRE-FILLED DATA IN FORMS
2. GOFORMZ DIGITIZING PAPER FORMS
3. NEXITICY PAPER-STYLE FORMS ON IPAD
4. QUICK TAP SURVEY QUESTIONS AND SURVEYS
5. FULCRUM GEOLOCATION WITH CUSTOME MAPS
6. FORMITIZE ACCEPTING PAYMENTS IN MOBILE FORMS
7. I FORM BUILDER ADDING DATA TO YOUR DATA BASE FROM
ANYWHERE , etc.

13. 6.USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
IN DATA COLLECTION
• Online / Internet surveys are becoming an essential
research tool for a variety of research fields , including
marketing , social and official statistics research.
• According to “ ESOMAR” ,
Online survey research accounted for 20% of global data
collection expenditure in 2006. They offer capabilities
beyond those available for any other type of self-
administered questionnaire.
• Online customer panels are also used extensively for
carrying out surveys but the quality is considered inferior
because the panelists are regular contributors and tend to
be fatigued .

14. USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
IN DATA COLLECTION ( CONT.)
 However , when estimating the measurement quality by
using a multitrait – multimethod approach (MTMM) ,
some studies found a quite reasonable quality and even
that the quality of a series of questions in an online opt-in
panel was very similar to the measurement quality for the
same questions asked in the European Social Survey (ESS) ,
which is a face-to-face survey.
 Some studies have compared the quality of face to face
surveys and telephone surveys with the one of online
surveys , for single questions , but also for more complex
concepts measured with more than one question.

15. USING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN
DATA COLLECTION(cont.)
 Focusing only on probability based surveys , they
found overall that the face to face and web surveys
have quite similar levels of measurement quality ,
whereas the telephone surveys were performing worse.
 Other studies comparing paper and pensile
questionnaires with web based questionnaires showed
that employees preferred online survey approaches to
the paper and pensile format.
 There are also concerns about what has been called “
Ballot Stuffing” in which employees make repeated
responses to the same level.

16. ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE SURVEYS
1. Web surveys are faster , simpler , and cheaper.
2. The entire data collection period is significantly
shortened , as all the data can be collected and
processed in little mare than a month.
3. Interaction between the respondent and the
questionnaire is more dynamic as compared to email
or paper surveys.
4. Complex skip patterns can be implemented in ways
that are mostly invisible to the respondent.

17. ADVANTAGES( CONT.)
5. Pop up instructions can be provided for individual
questions to provide help with questions exactly where
assistance is required.
6. Questions with long lists of answers choices can be used
to provide immediate coding of answers to certain
questions that are usually asked in an open ended fashion
in paper questionnaires.
7. Online surveys can be tailored to the situation.
8. Online questionnaires may be improved by applying
usability testing where usability is measured with
reference to the speed with which a task can be
performed.

18. KEY METHODOLOGY ISSUES OF
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
1. SAMPLING= The difference between probability samples
and non-probability samples are highly effected by the
problem of non- coverage and frame problems. Because
coverage and frame problems can significantly effect data
quality, they should be adequately reported when
disseminating the research results.
2. INVITATIONS= Invitations to online surveys due to the
lack of sampling invitations are published in the form of
an URL link on web sites or in other media, which leads
to sample selection bias that is out of research control
and to non probability samples.

19. (CONT.)
3. NON RESPONSE= Online survey response rates are
low and also very extremely from less that 1% in
enterprise surveys and to almost 100 % in specific
membership surveys.
4. PLATEFORM ISSUES= lack of familiarity with the
platform used can cause participants and clients
confusion.
5. QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN= while modern web
questionnaire offer a range of design features , the
use of such elements should be limited to the extent
necessary for respondents to understand questions .

20. SUBMITTED BY: RIDHIMA KAD
M.Comm.(prof.)
3rd Semester