The document discusses research tools and data collection methods. It defines tools as instruments used to collect information for assessments and evaluations. There are various tools like questionnaires, interviews, and checklists. Primary data collection involves direct contact with participants through surveys, interviews, and observations. Secondary data collection does not require direct contact and includes methods like postal/email surveys. Common data collection methods are observation, interviews, questionnaires, and physiological measurements. The appropriate method depends on factors like the nature of study, sample size, and type of information needed.

1. Ms.Neethu Jose
RESEARCH TOOL
AND
DATA COLLECTION METHOD

2. Ms.Neethu Jose
Data
• Data are observable measurable fact
that provide information about the
phenomenon under study

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Tools
Tools are instruments used to collect information
for performance assessments, self- evaluations,
and external evaluations.
Tools need to be strong enough to support what
the evaluations find during research.
Depending on the nature of the information to
be gathered, different instruments are used to
conduct the assessment forms for gathering data.

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DEFINITION OF TOOL
It is a testing device for measuring a given
event, such as , a questionnaire, an interview
or a set of guidelines or checklist for
observation.
It is an instrument or machine that aids in
accomplishing a task.

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Research tools are:
 the Instruments usedfor the
purpose of data collection,
 are measurable and observable
for data analysis & interpretation
 constructed by researcher according
to objectives.
MEANING OF RESEARCH TOOLS:

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PRINCIPLES FOR CONSTRUCTION OF
RESEARCH TOOL:
questioning
words must be
concise,
complete and
definite.
Keep in mind the
sequence and
order of question
i.e. psychological
order.
One question
should not
influence the
other. Tool must not be
too long or too
short. It should
complete within
25-30 minutes.
Should be
attractive in
appearance.
Principles

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DEFINITION OF DATA
• Data collection is a systematic process
of collecting detail information about
desire objective from selected sample
under controlled settings.

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DATA COLLECTION:
Primary data
collection
personal contact
observations is
needed
face to face contact
with the participants
is required.
Secondary
data collection
no direct contact
to gather
information.

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PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION:
• to gain general answers to basic
questions.
In-person
surveys
• When the researcher is directly
involved with the study group.
Direct
observation
• used to gain more in depth answers to
complex questions.Interviews
• certain sample groups are asked their
opinion about a certain subject or
theory.
Focus groups

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CONTD……..
 These data collection tools:
 allow for a true measurement of accuracy and let the
researcher obtain any unspoken observations about the
participants while conducting research.
 E.g. Socio-economic surveys, studies related to rural or tribal
communities, nursing research, hospital management studies,
knowledge awareness practice studies etc.

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SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION:
Postal
mail
Electronic
mail
Telephone Web-based
surveys
It is done :
when very large
group of
population is
required.
When Personal
contact is not
possible for the
researcher to
collect the data.
e.g: Institutional
survey,
organizational
research etc.

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METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION:
Method refers to the way of gathering data, a
tool is an instrument used for the method.
(1) observation method
(2) interview method
(3) Questionnaire
(4) physiological measurement

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• ONE OR MORE METHODS HAS/HAVE TO BE CHOSEN. THE
CHOICE OF A METHOD DEPENDS UPON THE FOLLOWING
FACTORS:
 The nature of the study of the subject-matter.
 The unit of enquiry.
 The size and spread of the sample.
 Scale of the survey.
 The educational level of respondents.
 Thetype and depth of information to be
collected.
 The availability of skilled and trained manpower.

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1) OBSERVATION TECHNIQUE:
 One of the basic method and oldest method.
 Data is obtained by investigator own direct
observation without asking from the respondent.
 If observation is systematically planned and recorded
can be used to checked for their validity and
reliability.
 Assessed through senses with or without mechanical
devices.
 Commonly used for behavioral studied.

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Types of Observation Technique:
• Standardized condition of
observation.
• Careful definition of units
to be observed.
• The style of recording the
observed information
• E.g. Descriptive studies
STRUCTURED UNSTRUCTURED
• The observation does
not take place as in
structured observation.
• E.g. Explanatory
studies

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 Instruments/ Tools for observation method:
 Field notes
 Anecdotes
 Checklist

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Advantages & Disadvantages of
Observation Technique:
Advantages Disadvantages
1) Subject bias is
eliminated.
1) An expensive method
2) Relates to what is
currently happening.
2) Information is very
limited
3) Independent of
respondent.
3) Unforeseen factors
may interfere with the
observational task.

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2) INTERVIEW METHOD
 The interview method of collecting of data involves
presentation of oral stimuli and reply in terms of oral
response.
 It can be used through personal interviews and if
possible, through telephone interview

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CLASSIFICATION
2.1. Personal interview
A. Structured
B. Unstructured
C. Focused
D. Clinical
E. Non-directive
2.2. Telephonic interview

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2.1 Personal interviews:
 Asking question generally in a face to
face to collect the information.
 The sort of investigation may be in the
form of direct personal investigation or
may be indirect .

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a) Structured interview:
Involve the use of a set of predetermined
questions and of highly standardized
techniques of recording.
Advantage Disadvantage
Require less knowledge
and skill
Provide only superficial
information
Less time consuming More rigid hence no
freedom
More systematic and
authentic
Not possible in all
situations

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b) Unstructured interviews:
 Flexibility of approach to questioning.
 It doesn’t follow a system of predetermined
questions and standardized techniques of
recording information.
Advantage: Disadvantage
Allow greater freedom to ask
question
It demands knowledge and
greater skill
Methods provide flexibility
according to situation
Difficult to analyze the
information
Data are more adequate and
accurate
Time consuming

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c) Focused interview:
 To focus attention on the given experience of the
respondent and its effects.
d) Clinical interview:
 it is concerned with broad underlying feelings of
individual's life experience.
e) Non-directive interview:
 encourage the respondent to talk about the given topic
with a bare minimum of direct questioning

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II. Telephone interview:
 collecting information consists in contacting respondents
on telephone.
• Advantage:
 It is more flexible in comparison to mailing method
 It is faster than other methods
 Recall is easy, call back are simple and economical
• Disadvantage:
 Shortage of time for respondents to reply
 Restricted to respondents who have telephone facilities

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3) QUESTIONNAIRE:
 It comprises a series of questions prepared by the
researcher that are answered and filled by all the
respondent.
 This is usually popular self report or self-
administered method.
 It commonly used to get demographic data.
 It allow the collection of larger data from large no. of
sample quickly and inexpensively.

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Structure of Question:
Open ended question
•When researcher want
more information.
• difficult to analyze.
Close
ended/fixed/alternative
•Limited respond.
•Easy to analysis
e.g. Why did you choose to take
your graduate work at this
university?
e.g. Have you ever taken a course in
statistics?
( ) yes
( ) No

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ADVANTAGES
Can be posted, e-mailed or faxed.
Can cover a large number of people or organizations.
Wide geographic coverage.
Relatively cheap.
No prior arrangements are needed.
Avoids embarrassment on the part of the respondent.
Respondent can consider responses.

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DISADVANTAGES:
Design problems.
Questions have to be relatively simple.
Historically low response rate (although inducements may help).
Time delay whilst waiting for responses to be returned.
Require a return deadline.
Several reminders may be required.
Assumes no literacy problems.
No control over who completes it.
Not possible to give assistance if required.

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TYPES OF CLOSED ENDED QUESTION
A. Dichotomous questions
B. Multi choice questions
C. Cafeteria questions
D. Rank order questions
E. Rating scale
F. Checklist
G. Visual analogue scales[VAS]

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A. Dichotomous questions
It makes the respondent to make a choice
between two responses such as
“Yes/No” “Male/Female”
E.g. Have you been hospitalized?

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B. Multi-choice questions
 It offers more than two response alternatives
 Graded alternatives are preferable for opinion or
attitude questions that give more information
 E.g. how important is to you to avoid a pregnancy
at this time
1. Extremely important
2. Very important
3. Somewhat important
4. Not at all important

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C. Cafeteria questions
 These are special type of MCQ that ask respondents to select a
respondent’s response that most closely corresponds to their
view.
• E.g. People have different opinion or attitude about use of
estrogen replacement therapy for women in menopause, which
of the following statements best represents our joint view?
1. Estrogen replacement is dangerous and should be banned
2. Estrogen replacement has some side effects that suggest
need for caution
3. I am undecided about view of Estrogen replacement therapy
4. Estrogen replacement has many beneficial effects

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D. Rank-order questions
 It asks respondents to rank target concept along some
continuum such as most favorable or most to least
important.
 Respondents are asked to mark 1,2,3,4…. According to
their importance and their should not be more than10
alternatives
 E.g. people value different things about life. Below is a list of
principles or ideas that are often cited when people are asked to
name things they value most by putting 1,2,3.etc
 Achievement and success
 Family relationship
 Health Money Religion

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F.Rating scale
 It asks the respondent to judge something along an
order dimension.
• e.g. How satisfied are you with the nursing care during
your hospitalization?
• Extremely dissatisfied Extremely satisfied
• 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

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G. VISUAL ANALOG SCALE
 It is useful for assessing perception of physic stimuli
such as pain, sleep, quality and shortness of breath.
 Advantage
It is easy to develop for researcher.
Widest possibility range of expression.
 Disadvantage
It includes concern with reliability and validity.

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4) PHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENT:
It can be classified as In Vivo and In Vitro.
In Vivo includes measurements of those which are
performed directly within or living organisms
themselves; such as blood flow determination through
radiography, IVP, cholecystography.
An In Vitro measurement by contrast is performed
outside the organism’s body, such as blood glucose,
blood urea, serum Na+, K+.

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 Physiological measurement can also be classified as
listed below:
 Physical measurement – Temperature, volume,
pressure, electrical measures.
 Chemical measurements – hormones levels, sugar,
urea, Hb%, potassium level, etc.
 Microbiological measurement – bacterial counts and
identification.
 Anatomical and Cytological measurement
• – X-rays, tissue biopsies, tomography, CAT scan, etc.

39. Ms.Neethu Jose