Data collection in research involves systematically gathering factual information to test hypotheses or answer research questions. There are two main types of data: primary data collected directly by researchers through methods like surveys and interviews, and secondary data previously collected by others. The document outlines purposes of data collection like research design and sampling, as well as methods for primary data collection including questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, observation, and case studies. Both primary and secondary data have advantages and disadvantages for research.

1. Data collection in research
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2. What is data ?
• Fact & statistic collected together for
reference or analysis
• research data is defined as recorder factual
material commonly retained by and accepted
in the scientific community as necessary to
validate research findings.
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3. Data collection
• Data collection is a systematic process of
collecting information about objects of study
(people, objects, phenomena for instance) in
order to test the hypothesis or answer the
research questions of the study.
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4. Purposes
• Research design
• Sampling design
• Data gathering and /or field work techniques
• Data processing and analysis
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5. Research design
• A detailed outline of how an investigation will
take place. A research design will typically
include how data is to be collected, what
instruments will be employed, how the
instrument will be used and the intended
means for analyzing data collected.
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6. Sample design
• The sample design encompasses all aspects of
how to group units on the frame, determine
the sample size, allocate the sample to the
various classification of frame units, and
finally, select the sample.
• A process used in statistical analysis in which a
predetermined number of observation will be
taken from a larger population.
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7. Types of data collection
• A common classification is based upon who collected
the data.
• Primary data: the primary data are those which are
collected afresh and for the first time.
• Secondary data: on the other hand, are those which
have already been collected by someone else and
which have already been passed through the statistical
process.
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9. Primary screening/ data
• Primary data are information collected by a
researcher specifically for a research assignment.
• Primary data are original in nature and directly
related to the issue or problem and current data.
• Primary data are the data which the researcher
collects through various methods like interviews,
surveys, questionnaires etc.
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10. • Quantitative information
Numerical or quantitative information is obtained
from research methods such as surveys of populations
or from repeated experimental procedures.
• Qualitative information
Qualitative (non-numerical) information may be
recorded during interviews with human participants,
often on video or audiotape, possibly with supporting
notes, and may be transcribed into written form later.
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11. There are many methods of collecting
primary data. The main methods include:
• questionnaires
• interviews
• focus group interviews
• observation
• case-studies
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12. Questionnaires
• Questionnaire is a set of questions has been prepared to ask
a number of questions and collect answers from
respondents relating to the research topic.
• A number of questions usually in printed or electronic form
are to be answered by the individuals. The forms often have
blank spaces in which the answers can be written.
• A questionnaire is a series of questions asked to individuals
to obtain statistically useful information about a given topic.
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13. Interview
• In this method the interviewer personally meets the informants and asks
necessary questions to them regarding the subject of enquiry.
• Usually a set of questions or a questionnaire is carried by him and
questions are also asked according to that.
• The interviewer efficiently collects the data from the informants by cross
examining them.
• Two types of interview are their:
Personal interview.
Telephone interview.
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14. Personal and telephone interview
• Personal interview method requires adperson know
as the interviewer asking question generally in a face
to face contact to the other persons. This sort of
interview may be in the form if direct personal
investigation or it may be indirect oral investigation.
• Telephone interview method is collecting information
consists in contacting respondents on telephone itself
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15. Focus group
• A focus group is a moderator keeps a small and
homogeneous group, usually less than 15 people,
focused on the discussion of a research topic or issue.
• Focus group sessions may be recorded using audio
and/or videotapes.
• The method is useful for exploring ideas and
obtaining in-depth information about how people
think about an issue.
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16. Observation
• Observation, particularly participant observation, has
been used in a variety of disciplines as a tool for
collecting data about people, processes, and cultures
in qualitative research.
• Observations enable the researcher to describe
existing situations using the five senses, providing a
"written photograph" of the situation under study
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17. Case study
• The case study method is a technique by which individual factor
whether it be an institution or just an episode in the life of an
individual or group is analysed in its relationship to any other in
the group.
• It is a very important form of qualitative analysis and involves a
carful and complete observation of a social unit a person, a family,
an institution, a cultural group or even the entire community.
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18. • Survey is used to collect quantitative
information about items in a population.
• Surveys are used in different areas for collecting
the data even in public and private sectors.
• A survey may be conducted in the field by the
researcher.
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19. Some Advantages of using Primary
data:
• The investigator collects data specific to the
problem under study.
• There is no doubt about the quality of the
data collected (for the investigator).
• If required, it may be possible to obtain
additional data during the study period.
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20. Some disadvantages of using primary
data
• The investigator has to contend with all the
hassles of data collection.
• Ensuring the data collected is of a high
standard
• Cost of obtaining the data is often the ajor
expense in studies.
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21. Secondary screening / data
• The term secondary data refers to data that
were collected for other studies. For they first
researcher they are primary data, but for the
secondary research, they are secondary data.
• Secondary data is one type of quantitative data
that has already collected by someone else for a
different purpose to yours.
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22. Advantages of using Secondary data:
• The data’s already there- no hassles of data
collection
• It is less expensive and faster
• The investigator is not personally responsible
for the quality of data
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23. Disadvantages of using Secondary
data:
• Not easily available
• Not adequate
• May not meet the needs of researcher
• Outdated information
• Variation in definition
• Inaccurate or bias
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