This document discusses primary data collection methods. It describes primary data as original data collected for the first time for a research study. Some key primary data collection methods covered include observation, interviews, and questionnaires. Observation can be participant or non-participant and is useful for studying interactions and behaviors. Interviews can be unstructured or structured. Questionnaires can be mailed, administered collectively to a group, or in public places depending on the study population.

1. PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION
DATA COLLECTION
SUBMITTED BY,
DAANIYA RASOOL
ROLL NO : 6
M1 STRUCTURAL
ENGINEERING

2. INTRODUCTION
 DATA COLLECTION - process by which
researcher collects information needed to
answer the research problem.
 When research study is done, there is a need to
collect the required information.
 However, sometimes information required is
already available and need only be extracted.
 Based upon these broad approaches, data can
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3. PRIMARY DATA
 Data which are collected afresh and for the first
time.
 They happen to be original in character .
 Examples of primary sources include :
₋ finding out first-hand , the attitude of a community
towards health services,
₋ ascertaining health needs of a community,
₋ determining job satisfaction of employees of an
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4. Contd...
 Several methods can be used to collect primary
data.
 The choice of a method depends upon
₋ the purpose of the study,
₋ the resources available and
₋ the skills of the researcher.
 Socioeconomic– demographic characteristics of
the study population - plays important role in
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5. METHODS OF DATA
COLLECTION
1. OBSERVATION:
 Purposeful, systematic and selective way -
watching and listening to an interaction or
phenomenon -as it takes place.
 Most appropriate method of data collection; for
example, when one wants to :
₋ learn about the interaction in a group,
₋ study dietary patterns of a population,
₋ ascertain functions performed by a worker,
₋ study personality traits of an individual.
 There are two types of observation:
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6. a) PARTICIPANT
OBSERVATION :
 Researcher participate in activities of group
observed - In same manner as its members -
with/without knowing that they are being observed.
 EXAMPLES:
₋ To examine reactions of public towards people in
wheelchairs - study their reactions by sitting in a
wheelchair.
₋ To study life of prisoners –researcher can pretend
to be a prisoner in order to do this.
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7. b) NON-PARTICIPANT
OBSERVATION
 Researcher do not get involved in activities of
group - remains a passive observer – watching ,
listening to its activities - drawing conclusions from
this.
EXAMPLE:
₋ To study functions of nurses in a hospital - watch,
follow, record activities as performed –
conclusions drawn after making no: of
observations.
 Any occupational group in any setting can be
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8. 2. INTERVIEW
 Person-to-person interaction , face to face - or
between two or more individuals - with
specific purpose in mind.
 Commonly used method of collecting
information from people.
 Two types of interviews:
₋ Unstructured interview
₋ Structured interview
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9. a) UNSTRUCTURED
INTERVIEWS
 Almost complete freedom - in content and
structure of interview.
 Complete freedom in terms of wordings used -
the way questions are explained to the
respondents.
 Formulate questions and raise issues -on the
spur of the moment- depending upon what
occurs to you in the context of the discussion.
 Prevalent in both quantitative and qualitative
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10. b) STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS
 Researcher -asks predetermined set of questions-
same wordings , order of questions- as specified in
interview schedule.
 Interview schedule - written list of questions- open
ended or closed-prepared by interviewer .
 Advantages -provides uniform information -
assures comparability of data.
 Requires fewer interviewing skills .
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11. 3. QUESTIONNARE
 Written list of questions - answers to which -
recorded by respondents.
 Difference between Interview schedule and
Questionnaire :
- In the former, interviewer asks question and
records respondents replies.
- In the latter, replies are recorded by
respondents themselves.
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12. WAYS TO ADMINISTER A QUESTIONNA
a) MAILED QUESTIONNAIRE :
 Send the questionnaire to prospective
respondents by mail.
 Major problem with this method is the low
response rate.
 Results in limited applicability of the findings
to the population studied.
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13. b) COLLECTIVE ADMINISTRATION
 Obtain a captive audience - students in a
classroom-people attending a function -
participants in a programme.
 Ensures a very high response rate
 Personal contact with study population - can
explain the purpose - relevance and
importance of study -clarify any questions
respondents may have.
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14. c) ADMINISTRATION IN PUBLIC
PLACE
 administer questionnaire in public places-
shopping centre, health centre, hospital, school.
 depends on type of study population looking for -
where its likely to be found.
 purpose of the study -explained to potential
respondents-as they approach -participation in
the study requested
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15. THANK
YOU
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