The document discusses various methods of data collection in research. It describes quantitative and qualitative data and primary and secondary sources of data. Some key methods of primary data collection discussed include observation, interviews, experiments, panel methods, mail surveys and simulation. For each method, the document outlines the definition, importance, types, advantages and limitations. Secondary data is also examined in terms of its features, uses and limitations.

1. UNIT-6
METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

2.  DATA – facts and other relevant materials, past and
present, serving as basis for study & analysis
 DATA COLLECTION METHOD – the strategy and system
used to gather information on elements of the research
 DATA SOURCE – the individual or institution from which the
evaluation data are collected (e.g., participants, parents, records,
etc.) – (primary or secondary)
 QUANTITATIVE DATA – numeric information that is
subject to statistical analysis
 QUALITATIVE DATA – text-based information that provides
descriptive details, often collected from interviews, focus
groups, or observations

3. TYPES OF DATA
 Data relating to human beings/Personal data-
› Demographic and socio economic characteristics of individuals:
age, gender, race, caste, social class, religion, marital status,
education, occupation, income, family size etc.
› Behavioural variables: attitudes, opinions, awareness,
knowledge, practice, intentions etc..
 Organizational data: Origin, Ownership, Objectives, resources
functions, performance, growth etc..
 Territorial data: population, occupational pattern, infrastructure,
degree of development, villages, cities, state,….

4. IMPORTANCE OF DATA
 Basis for analysis
 Relevance, adequacy and reliability of data determine quality
of findings
 Basis for testing hypotheses
 Required for constructing measurement scales and tables for
analysis.

5. SOURCES OF DATA
 Primary sources : original sources directly
collected by researcher, not collected earlier.
Methods- observation, interviewing, questionnaire
etc..
 Secondary sources: readily available, complied
statistical statements and reports.
Eg: Census reports, annual reports, government
reports.. Published and unpublished data.

6. FEATURES OF SECONDARY DATA
 Readymade and readily available do not require
any processing
 Researcher has no control over content of data
colleted and form of classification. (can limit the
research value)
 Not limited by time & space – researcher need not
have been present when and where they were
gathered.

7. Uses of secondary data
Reference purpose
A bench marks against which findings of a research may be
tested.
Used as the sole source of information for a research project.
Advantages of Secondary data:
secured quickly and cheaply
Can cover wider geographical area and longer reference
period without extra cost.
Broadens the data base, useful for generalizations.
Enables verification of findings of primary data.

8. Limitations of secondary data
 Available data may not meet our specific needs
 Data may not be accurate and reliable
 Data is not up-to-date or outdated
 Information about the whereabouts (location)of sources
may not be available .

9. Primary Data Collection
Methods
Observation,
interviewing,
experiments,
planning and conducting research,
panel method,
mail survey,
simulation

10. OBSERVATION
 Observation as a method includes seeing , hearing and
perceiving.
 Observation is a classic method of scientific enquiry
 Meaning
Observation is a systematic viewing of a specific phenomenon
in its proper setting for the specific purpose of gathering data
for a particular study

11.  Observation becomes scientific when
a) Serves a formulated research purpose
b) Is planned deliberately
c) Recorded systematically
d) Is subject to checks and controls on validity and
reliability

12. Observation - features
 Both Physical & mental activity
 Selective
 Purposive and not casual
 Captures the natural social context in which the person’s
behaviour occurs
 Obseravtion Should be exact and based on tools of research

13.  OBSERVATIONAL METHODS ARE:
1. Direct observation
2. Indirect observation
3. Participant observation
4. Non participant observation
5. Controlled observation
6. Uncontrolled observation

14.  Direct observation
In personal observation, a researcher observes actual behaviour
as it occurs. The observer may or may not normally attempt to
control or manipulate the phenomenon being observed. The
observer merely records what takes place.
 Indirect observation
This does not involve the physical presence of the observer, and
the recordings is done by mechanical, photographic or electronic
device

15.  Non-participant
The observer does not normally question or communicate with
the people being observed. He or she does not participate.
 Participant
In this observation, the observer is a part of the phenomenon or
group which is observed and he acts as both an observer and a
participant

16. Controlled & Uncontrolled observation
 Controlled observation is carried out in a
laboratory or in a field. It is structured as to what,
how and when to observe, exercising control over
external and internal variables by adopting
experimental design.
 Uncontrolled observation does not involve
control over variables. Used for descriptive
research.

17. OBSERVATION TOOLS
 Schedules – constructed on the basis of objectives,
hypotheses, data requirements of the study
 Field observation log- form of diary or cards. Rough notes
are later transferred to full log. Flexible, allows
rearrangement.
 Mechanical devices- cameras, tape recorders, videotape,
etc..permanent record of events

18. Advantages of observation
 First hand information collected by researcher directly
 Data collected in a natural setting
 Suitable to study subjects who are unable to formulate
meaningfully
 Less demanding on the subjects
 Mechanical devices may be used to collect accurate data,
and for long periods.

19. LIMITATIONS
 Cannot study past events or activities
 Not suitable for studying opinions and attitudes
 Difficulty in obtaining a representative sample
 Cannot be used at the convenience of the researcher. He
has to wait for the event to take place.
 Slow & expensive process.

20. Interviewing
 Defined as a two - way systematic conversation between an
investigator and an informant, initiated for obtaining
information relevant to a specific study.
 Involves not only conversation but also learning from the
respondents gestures, facial expressions and his/ her
environment

21. Importance of interviewing
 Suitable to gather information from illiterates.
 Collection of wide range of data:
a) Covers demographic data
b) Personal and intimate information – person’s
opinions, attitudes, values, past experiences etc…
 Helps investigator to seek clarification

22. Advantages of interview
 Depth and detail of information
 Interviewer can control as well as improve the percentage
and quality of responses
 Can gather supplementary information such as economic
level, motives and feelings
 Can use special scoring devices, visual material to improve
the quality of interviewing
 Flexible and adaptable

23. Disadvantages
 Costly both in money and time
 Skill of the interviewer
 Respondent’s bias
 Geographical limitations

24. Requirements of interviewing
 Data availability
 Role perception
 Respondents motivation

25. Types of interview
1. Structured / directive interview
 Carried out with a detailed standardized schedule
 Same questions are put to all respondents and in the same
order, which also promotes reliability
 Used in large scale formalized surveys

26. 2. Unstructured / Non-directive interview
 Also called in-depth interview
 Detailed pre-planned schedule is not used
 Interviewer encourages the respondent to talk freely
 Questions are not standardized

27. 3. Focused interview
 Semi structured interview
 Attempts to focus the discussion on the actual effect of a
given experience to which the respondents have been
exposed.
 Interview is focused on the subjective experiences of the
respondent

28. 4. Clinical interview
 Its concerned with broad feelings or motivations or
with the course of the individual’s life experiences
 Eg:- personal history interview in social case works
,prisons , psychiatric clinics
 Respondents are encouraged to talk freely about them

29. 5. Telephone interviewing
 Non- personal method of data collection
 Helpful when
1. Population is listed in phone directory
2. Responses to few simple questions
3. Respondents are scattered

30. Interviewing process
 Preparation
 Introduction
 Developing rapport
 Carrying the interview forward
 Recording the interview
 Closing the interview

31. EXPERIMENTATION
 An experiment is a trial or special observation made to
confirm or disprove something
 It aims at studying the effect of a independent variable on
a dependent variable.
 Experimentation is a research process used to study the
casual relationships between variables
 Application/Types:
› Laboratory experiment
› Field experiment

32. PLANNING AND CONDUCTING RESEARCH
 Determine the hypothesis to be tested and the independent and
dependent variables involved
 Identify their measurable dimensions
 Make experimental conditions as nearly as real life conditions

33. Advantages
 Determine casual relationship between variables
 The element of human errors is reduced to the minimum
 It generally yields exact measurements and can be repeated
for verifying results

34. Disadvantages
 Artificiality
 Not helpful in determining opinions, motives and intensions
of persons
 Experimentation with human beings is extremely limited
 Cost of experimentation can overweigh the available
resources
 Applied only to studies of present and not past.

35. Panel method
 Data is collected from the same sample
respondents at intervals either by mail or by
personal interview.
 The period over which the panel members are
contacted for information may spread over several
months or years

36. Advantages of panel
 Accuracy
 Before – after designs for field – based studies
 Its possible to study trends in events, behaviour or
attitudes
 It provides evidence on casual relationship between
variables
 Facilitates depth interviewing

37. Disadvantages
 Very expensive
 Difficult to set up a representative panel
 Panel conditioning
 Quality can decline due to decreasing interest

38. Mail survey
 Involves sending questionnaire to the respondents
with a request to complete them and return them
by post
 Can be used in case of educated respondents only
 It should preferably contain closed- end and
multiple choice questions

39. Advantages
 Less costly than personal interviews
 Can cover extensive geographical areas
 Contacting various sets of people
 The respondent can complete the questionnaire at
their convenience
 Provides more anonymity
 Free from interview bias
 Personal and economic data may be given more
accurately

40. disadvantages
 Scope is less in countries were literacy rate is low
 Response rate is low
 The cause for non - response is not known
 Information on Personal characteristics and
environment of the respondent cannot be secured
 incomplete responses

41. Simulation
 Form of observational method
 Simulation is a theoretical model of the element, relation
and processes which symbolize some referent system
 Abelson defines simulation as “ the exercise of a flexible
limitation of process and outcomes for the purpose of
clarifying or explaining the mechanism involved.”