The document outlines the concepts of data and data collection, distinguishing between primary and secondary data, as well as qualitative and quantitative data. It describes various data collection tools and techniques, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups, while emphasizing the importance of systematic data collection methods. Additionally, it highlights the steps involved in data collection, from clarifying goals to validating measurement systems.

1. Sushant Luitel
Data Collection Tools & Technique
and Steps of Data Collection
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2. Data and Data Collection
 Data are units of information, often numeric, that are collected through
observation.
 Data collection is the process by which the researcher collect the
information needed to answer the research problems.
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3. Types of data
1. By nature
 Qualitative
 Quantitative
2. By purpose of collection
 Primary
 Secondary
3. Sources of data/Origin of data
 Community
 Hospital / clinic
 Laboratory
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4. Primary Data
 The data collected for the first time are called primary data.
 The methods mostly used in collecting primary data are survey, observation and
experiment.
 Generally, all these methods are not used in a same project, because they have
both good and bad aspects.
 The question which method of primary data collection should be selected
depends on the nature, time and cost.
 The method should be selected according to the nature, time and cost.
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5. Secondary Data
 The data used once are called secondary data.
 It becomes much easier to collect secondary data than the primary ones.
 Secondary data can be collected from several sources.
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7. Qualitative data
 Qualitative data are mostly non-numerical and usually descriptive or nominal in nature.
This means the data collected are in the form of words and sentences.
 Often, such data captures feelings, emotions, or subjective perceptions of something.
 Qualitative approaches aim to address the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of a program and tend to use
unstructured methods of data collection to fully explore the topic.
 Qualitative questions are open-ended.
 Qualitative methods include focus groups, group discussions and interviews.
 They are, however, expensive and time consuming to implement
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8. Quantitative data
 Quantitative data is numerical in nature and can be mathematically computed.
 Quantitative data measure uses different scales, which can be classified as nominal scale, ordinal
scale, interval scale and ratio scale. Often, such data includes measurements of something.
 Quantitative approaches address the ‘what’ of the program.
 Quantitative approaches have the advantage that they are cheaper to implement, are standardized
so comparisons can be easily made and the size of the effect can usually be measured.
 Quantitative approaches however are limited in their capacity for the investigation and
explanation of similarities and unexpected differences
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10. Requirement of data for the researcher
Purpose/Objectives
IndicatorsVariables
Data
Techniques & Tools
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11. Data collection Tools
 The instruments or aids that we use for the purpose of collecting
and/or recording the data are called data collection tools.
 Questionnaire
 Observation checklist
 Guidelines (such as FGD guidelines, KII guideline etc)
 Survey etc
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12. TOOLS PREPARATION FOR DATA
COLLECTION
 Data collected on tools like Qestionnaires or schedules.
 Objectives of the study to be kept in mind
 Type of participants, nature of information and method of
analysis to kept in mind
 List of variables to be prepared
 Logical sequencing has to adopted
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13. Data Collection Techniques
 Data collection techniques allow us to systematically collect information about
our objects of study (people, objects, phenomena) and about the settings in
which they occur.
 In the collection of data we have to be systematic.
 If data are collected haphazardly, it will be difficult to answer our research
questions in a conclusive way.
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14. Various data collection techniques can be used such as:
Using available information
Observing
Interviewing (face-to-face)
Administering written questionnaires
Focus group discussions
 Social mapping
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16. Questionnaire
 A questionnaire is a research instrument that consists of a set of questions or
other types of prompts that aims to collect information from a respondent.
 Often a questionnaire uses both open and closed questions to collect data.
 The data collected from a data collection questionnaire can be both qualitative as well as
quantitative in nature.
 A verbatim response refers to what an interviewer records as an answer to an open-
ended question when writing down the exact words spoken by the respondent which
helps to give the qualitative information on research.
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17. Observation
 Observation method of information gathering is used by monitoring participants
in a specific situation or environment at a given time and day.
 Basically, researchers observe the behaviour of the surrounding environments or
people that are being studied.
 This type of study can be:
 Controlled
 Natural
 Participant
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18. Cont…
 Controlled observation is when the researcher uses a standardised procedure of
observing participants or the environment.
 Natural observation is when participants are being observed in their natural
conditions.
 Participant observation is where the researcher becomes part of the group
being studied.
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19. Observation checklist
 An observation checklist is a set of questions that evaluate the
performance and behavior of teachers and students in a classroom setting.
 Observation checklists assist an observer to identify skill gaps and
problem areas to further improve teaching strategies, classroom settings,
and student learning development.
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21. Interview
 Interview is a qualitative method of data collection whose results are
based on intensive engagement with respondents about a particular study.
Usually, interviews are used in order to collect in-depth responses from the
professionals being interviewed.
 Interview can be structured (formal), semi-structured or unstructured
(informal). In essence, an interview method of data collection can be
conducted through face-to-face meeting with the interviewees or through
telephone.
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22. Key informant interviews
 Key informant interviews are qualitative in-depth interviews with people
who know what is going on in the community.
 The purpose of key informant interviews is to collect information from a
wide range of people including community leaders, professionals, or
residents who have first hand knowledge about the community.
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23. How to Conduct the Key Informant Interviews
 Formulate study questions.
 Prepare a short interview guide.
 Select key informants.
 Conduct interviews.
 Take adequate notes.
 Analyse interview data.
 Check for reliability and validity.
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24. Survey
 A survey is a research method used for collecting data from a predefined
group of respondents to gain information and insights into various topics
of interest.
 They can have multiple purposes, and researchers can conduct it in many
ways depending on the methodology chosen and the study’s goal.
 The process involves asking people for information through
a questionnaire, which can be either online or offline.
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25. Focus Group Discussion
 A focus group discussion involves gathering people from similar.
backgrounds or experiences together to discuss a specific topic of. Interest
 A focus group is a group interview of approximately six to twelve people
who share similar characteristics or common interests.
 Focus groups are a qualitative data collection method “perceptions
attitudes, beliefs, opinion or ideas”, meaning that the data is descriptive
and cannot be measured numerically.
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26. Cont…
 The common and simplest method for selecting participants for focus
groups is called "purposive" or "convenience" sampling.
 This means that you select those members of the community who you
think will provide you with the best information.
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27. Steps of Conducting Focus Group Discussion
Step 1: Define the Purpose
Step 2: Select the Participants and Leader
Step 3: Manage the Atmospherics
Step 4: Develop the Questions
Step 5: Conduct the Session
Step 6: Analyse the Results
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28. Social Mapping
 Social mapping is a visual method of showing the relative location of
households and the distribution of different people together with
the social structure, groups and organisations of an area.
 Social mapping is making visible what has been invisible for a very long
time (i.e the cultural and indigenous landscapes). It helps us understand
histories and our sense of connection with them, and provides perspectives
on the future.
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29. Steps to Data Collection
Step 1: Clarify your data collection goals.
Step 2: Develop operational definitions and procedures.
Step 3: Validate the measurement system.
Step 4: Begin data collection.
Step 5: Continue improving measurement system and ensure people are
following the data collection guidelines.
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30. The GATHER steps
G= Greet clients in an open, respectful manner
A= Ask clients about themselves and pay attention to what clients express
T= Tell clients about the objectives of the interview
H= Help clients about to choose their answer and give their opinion
E= Explain fully about the survey and its benefits too.
R= Return
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