Tools of Data Collection

A researcher requires many data–gathering tools or techniques. Tests are the tools of
measurement, and it guides the researcher in data collection and also in evaluation.
Tools may vary in complexity, interpretation, design and administration. Each tool is
suitable for the collection of certain type of information.
One has to select from the available tools those which will provide data he seeks for
testing hypothesis. It may happen that existing research tools do not suit the purpose
in some situation, so researcher should modify them or construct his own.

Different tools used for data collection may be;

1. Questionnaires
2. Interviews
3. Schedules
4. Observation Techniques
5. Rating Scales

1. Questionnaire:
It is list of questions related to one topic. It may be defined as; “A questionnaire is a
systematic compilation of questions that are submitted to a sampling of population
from which information is desired.”

Barr, Davis & Johnson

“In general, the word questionnaire refers to a device for securing answers to
questions by using a form which the respondent fills in himself.”

W. J. Goode & K. Hall

The questionnaire is probably most used and most abused of the data gathering
devices .It is easy to prepare and to administer. The questionnaire is a form prepared
and distributed to secure responses to certain questions. It is a device for securing
answers to questions by using a form which the respondent will fill by himself.

It is a systematic compilation of questions. It is an important instrument being used to

gather information from widely scattered sources. Normally used where one cannot
see personally all of the people from whom he desires responses or where there is no
particular reason to see them personally.

Characteristics of a Good Questionnaire:

1. It deals with an important or significant topic.
2. Its significance is carefully stated on the questionnaire itself or on its covering
letter.
3. It seeks only that data which cannot be obtained from the resources like books,
reports and records.
4. It is as short as possible, only long enough to get the essential data.
5. It is attractive in appearance, nearly arranged and clearly duplicated or printed.
6. Directions are clear and complete, important terms are clarified.
7. The questions are objective, with no clues, hints or suggestions.
8. Questions are presented in a order from simple to complex.
9. Double negatives, adverbs and descriptive adjectives are avoided.
10. Double barreled questions or putting two questions in one question are also
avoided.
11. The questions carry adequate number of alternatives.
12. It is easy to tabulate, summarize and interpret.

Merits of Questionnaire Method:

1. it’s very economical.

2. It’s a time saving process.
3. It covers the research in wide area.
4. It’s very suitable for special type of responses.
5. It is most reliable in special cases.

Demerits of Questionnaire Method:

1. Through this we get only limited responses.

2. Lack of personal contact.
3. Greater possibility of wrong answers.
4. Chances of receiving incomplete response are more.
5. Sometimes answers may be illegible.
6. It may be useless in many problems.

The Interview:

Interview is a two way method which permits an exchange of ideas and information.
“Interviewing is fundamentally a process of social interaction.”

W. J. Goode & P.K. Hatt

“The interview constitutes a social situation between two persons, the psychological
process involved requiring both individuals mutually respond though the social
research purpose of the interview call for a varied response from the two parties
concerned.”

Vivien Palmar

“The interview may be regarded as a systematic method by which a person enters

more or less imaginatively into the inner life of a comparative stranger.”

P. V. Young

In an interview a rapport is established between the interviewer and the interviewee.

Not only is physical distance between them annihilated, the social and cultural barrier
is also removed; and a free mutual flow of ideas to and fro takes place. Both create
their respective impression upon each other.
The interview brings them both on the same level and an emotional attachment
supervenes between them.
In an interview all formalities are laid down and the gate is opened for delivering into
the intellectuals, emotional and subconscious stirrings of the interviewee. Thus here
the ‘depth’ of subject (man) is gone to the very bottom of his emotional pool and may
check his truthfulness of responses.

Difference between Interview and Questionnaire

Questionnaire Method
Interview Method

1. Data is gathered indirectly.

2. No face to face contact between two.
3. Interviewer should have the general knowledge of the topic.
4. Interviwee will hesitate to write it.
5. We get written information only.

1. Data is gathered directly.

2. There is face to face contact between interviewer and interviewee.
3. Skillful interviewer is needed.
4. Some confidential information can also be obtained.
5. We get written and oral both type of information.

Characteristics of an Interview:

1. The interviewer can probe into casual factors, determine attitudes, discover the
origin of problem.
2. Its appropriate to deal with young children and illiterates person.
3. It can make cross questioning possible.
4. It helps the investigator to gain an impression of the person concerned.
5. It can deal with delicate, confidential and even intimate topics.
6. It has flexibility.
7. Sincerity, frankness, truthfulness and insight of the interviewee can be better
judged through cross questioning.
8. It gives no chance for respondent to modify his earlier answer.
9. It is applicable in survey method, but it is also applicable in historical,
experimental, case studies and clinical studies.

Merits of Interview:

1. Direct research.
2. Deep research
3. Knowledge of past and future.
4. Knowledge of special features.
5. Mutual encouragement is ossible.
6. Supra-observation is possible.
7. Knowledge of historical and emotional causes.
8. Examination of known data.
Disadvantage of Interview:

1. May provides misleading information.

2. Defects due to interviewee(low level of intelligence or may be
emotionally unbalanced)
3. Result may be affected due to prejudices of interviewer.
4. Result may be affected due to the difference in the mental
outlook of interwee and interviewer.
5. One sided and incomplete research.
6. Art rather than science.

Schedule:

When a researcher is using a set of questionnaires for interview purpose

it is known as schedule.
“Schedule is the name usually applied to set of questions, which are
asked and filled by an interviewer in a face to face situation with
another.”
W.J. Goode & P. K. Hatt
By a schedule we cannot, however, obtain information about many
things at once. It is best suited to the study of a single item thoroughly.
According to Thomas Carson Macormie, “The schedule is
nothing more than a list of questions which, it seems necessary to test
the hypothesis.”
Thus schedule is a list of questions formulated and presented
with the specific purpose of testing an assumption or hypothesis.
In schedule method interview occupies a central and plays a vital role.
As a matter of fact success in the use of schedule is largely
determined by the ability and tact of the interviewer rather than by the
quality of the questions posed.
Because the interviewer himself poses the questions and notes
down the answers all by himself, the quality of questions has not any
great significance.
Important Features of Schedule:
1. The schedule is presented by the interviewer. The questions are
asked and the answers are noted down by him.
2. The list of questions is a mere formal document, it need not be
attractive.
3. The schedule can be used in a very narrow sphere of social research.4. It aids to
delimit the scope of the study and to concentrate on the
circumscribed elements essential to the analysis.
5. It aims at delimiting the subject.
6. In the schedule the list of questions is preplanned and noted down
formally and the interviewer is always armed with the formal
document detailing the questions.
Thus interviewer not to depend upon the memory.
Points to be kept in mind while designing schedule;
1. Interviewer should not frame long, complex, defective questions.
2. Unrelated and unnecessary questions should not be asked.
3. Schedule should not contain personal and upsetting questions.
4. Its questions should be simple, clear and relevant to topic.
5. Questions be suitable to respondent’s intelligence level.
6. Impersonal, indirect and unambiguous questions should be included
in schedule.
Merits of Schedule:
1. Higher percentage of responses.
2. Possible to observe personality factors.
3. Through interview personal contact is possible.
4. It is possible to give human touch to schedule.
5. Removal of doubts is possible because face to face interaction is
there.
6. It is possible to know about the defects of the interviewee.
Observation Technique:
This is most commonly used technique of evaluation research. It is used for
evaluating cognitive and non-cognitive aspects of a person. It is used in evaluation
performance, interests, attitudes, values towards their life problems and situations. It
is most useful technique for evaluating the behaviors of children.

It is technique of evaluation in which behavior are observed in a natural situations.

“It is thorough study based on visual observation. Under this technique group
behaviours and social institutions problems are evaluated.”

C. Y. Younge
“Observation employs relatively more visual and senses than audio and vocal organs.”

C.A. Mourse
The cause- effect relationship and study of events in original form, is known as
observation.
Observation seeks to ascertain what people think and do by watching them in action
as they express themselves in various situations and activities.
Observation is recognized as the most direct means of studying people when one is
interested in their overt behavior.
In questionnaires and interview people may write answer as they think, they do but
this is often different from what they actually do. These restrictions are missing in
observation so observation is a more natural way of gathering data. Artificiality and
formality of questionnaires and interview is replaced by reality and informality in
observation. Data obtained through observation are more real and true than the data
collected by any other method. It also plays a particular part in survey procedure.

Characteristics of Observation Schedule:

According to Jahoda it has many characteristics;

1. It serves a formulated research purpose.
2. It is planned systematically rather than occurring haphazardly.
3. It is systematically recorded and related to more general propositions.
4. It is subjected to checks and controls with respect to validity , reliability and
precision.
5. It is a direct technique to study an object, an event or a problem.
6. It is based mainly on visual –audio scene.
7. It employs own experiences.
8. It establishes cause-effect relationship.
9. It is an objective technique of data collection.
10. It is both objective and subjective evaluation technique.
11. It is formal as well as informal technique.
12. It is quantitative as well as qualitative technique for data
collection.

Advantages:
1. It is reliable and valid technique of collecting data and
information.
2. We get first hand data through this method.
3. Record of observation is also available immediately.
4. It is simple, broad and comprehensive method.
5. It is an oldest technique of data collection and getting direct
information.

Limitations:
1. It has a limited scope for its use because all the events cannot be observed directly.
2. It is subjective method.
3. It is very time consuming process.
4. Costly so energy consuming also.
5. Presence of observer influences the behavior of the person i.e. subject becomes
conscious.
6. In case covert behavior, which can’t be observed, it is not useful.
7. Observer should be trained and experienced.