Methods of Data Collection

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL & INDUSTRIAL
ENGINEERING
INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
HACHALU HUNDESSA CAMPUS
 1. METHODS OF DATA
COLLECTION
• Data collection is simply how
information is gathered
• The task of data collection begins after a
research problem has been
defined and research design/plan
chalked out.
• While deciding about the method of data
collection to be used for the study, the
researcher should keep in mind two types
of data viz., primary and secondary.
The primary data are those which are
collected afresh and for the first time, and
2
thus happens to be original in character.
 1. METHODS OF DATA
COLLECTION
• The data which is collected from the field
under the control and supervision of an
investigator.
• The 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. It involves less
cost, time and effort. For example : data
from book

3
 1. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

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).
Disadvantages of using Primary
data
1. The investigator has to contend with
all the hassles of data
collection
4
• Deciding why, what, how, when to
 1. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

• Getting the data collected (personally or

through others)
• Getting funding and dealing with
funding agencies
• Ethical considerations (consent,
permissions, etc.)
2.Ensuring the data collected is
of a high standard
3.Cost of obtaining the data is often
the major expense in studies

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 1. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

Advantages of using Secondary

data
• No hassles of data collection
• It is less expensive
• The investigator is not personally
responsible for the quality of data
(“I didn’t do it”)
Disadvantages of using Secondary
data
• The investigator cannot decide what is
to be collected
6
• One can only hope that the data is of
 4.1. COLLECTION OF PRIMARY
DATA
• There are several methodsof collecting
primary data : Important ones are:
(i)Observation method
(ii)Interview method
(iii)Through questionnaires, and
(iv)Other methods which include :Warranty
cards
,Distributor audits, Consumer panels,
Using mechanical devices and Depth
interviews, etc.
• We will discuss briefly each method
separately 7
 4.2. OBSERVATION METHOD
• The observation method is the most
commonly used method specially in
studies relating to behavioral sciences.
• In a way we all observe things around us,
but this sort of observation is not scientific
observation.
• Observation becomes a scientific tool
and the method of data collection for the
researcher, when it serves a
formulated research purpose is
systematically planned and recorded
and is subjected to checks and 8
controls on validity and reliability.
 4.1. COLLECTION OF PRIMARY
DATA
• Under the observation method, the
information is sought by way of
investigator’s own direct
observation without asking from the
respondent. For instance, in a study
relating to consumer behavior, the
investigator instead of asking the
brand of wrist watch used by the respondent,
may himself look at the watch.

9
 4.2. OBSERVATION METHOD

Observation as a method of data

collection has certain characteristics.

1. It is both a physical and a mental

activity. The observation eye ‘catches’
many things which are sighted, but
attention is focussed on data that are
relevant to the given study.

10
 4.2. OBSERVATION METHOD

1. Observation is selective. A researcher

does not observe anything and everything,
but select the range of things to be
observed on the basis of the nature, scope
and objectives of his study.

2. Observation is purposive and not casual.

It is made for the specific purpose of
nothing things relevant to the study.
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 4.2. OBSERVATION METHOD

Observe verbal &

Need to keep
non-verbal
precise
communication,
records of the
surrounding
observations
atmosphere, culture &
situation
Observations

Can be done through

observations of experiments, habits,
rituals,
And review of
documentation 12
 4.2. OBSERVATION
METHOD
Steps To An Effective
Observation
Determine what needs to be
observed (Plan, prepare checklist, how
to record data)
Select your
participants
Random/Selected
Conduct the observation
(venue, duration, recording
materials )
Compile data
collected
Analyze and interpret data
collected 13
 4.3. INTERVIEW METHOD

• The interview method of collecting data

involves presentation of oral-verbal
stimuliterms and
of oral-verbal reply in
responses. through
• This
interviews methodand,
can beif personal
possible, used through
interviews.
(a) telephone
Personal interviews: Personal interview
method requires a person known as the
interviewer asking questions generally in a
face-to-face contact to the other person or
persons.
(b)Telephone interviews 14
 4.3. INTERVIEW METHOD

Effective Involves
way of verbal and
gathering non-verbal
informatio communicati
n ons
INTERVIEW

Can be conducted
face to face, by
telephone,
online or
through mail 15
 4.3. INTERVIEW METHOD

Steps To An Effective
Interview
Prepare your survey questions
(Choose types of questions and write
instructions)
Select your
respondents/sampling
Random/Selected
Conduct the
interview
Analyze and interpret data
collected 16
 4.3. INTERVIEW METHOD

Prerequisites for successful interview

Preparation
• It is necessary for the researcher to
prepare before the actual
interview.
• Once the interview is conductedthe
researcher needs to make sure that the
respondents have :
– A clear idea of why they have been
approached
– Basic information about the purpose of
the interview and the research project 17of
 4.3. INTERVIEW METHOD
– Some idea of the probable length of
the interview and that you would like
to record it
– A clear idea of precisely where and when
the interview will take place .
Expertise
• The researcher ought to have the following
skills and abilities for the effective
interview : An ability to be non-
judgmental; An ability to listen ; A good
memory; Ability to think on his/her feet ;
Sense of humor 18
 4.4. COLLECTION OF DATA
THROUGH
• This methodQUESTIONNAIRES
of data collection is quite
popular
• It is being adopted by individuals,
researchers, private and public
organizations and even by
governments.
• A questionnaire is sent (by post or mail)
• A questionnaire consists of a number of
questions
• The questionnaire is mailed to respondents
who are expected to read and understand
the questions. 19
 4.4. COLLECTION OF DATA
THROUGH
QUESTIONNAIRES
Useful to collect
The most common
quantitative and
data collection
qualitative information
instrument

Survey
Questionna
ire
Should contain 3 elements:
1. Introduction – to explain the
objectives
2. Instructions – must be clear, simple
language & short
3. User-friendly – avoid difficult or ambiguous
20
questions
 4.4. COLLECTION OF DATA
THROUGH
• The methodQUESTIONNAIRES
of collecting data by
mailing the questionnaires to
respondents is most extensively
employed.
• The benefits of using this methods are as
follows:
1.There is low cost even when the universe
is large and is widely spread geographically.
2. It is free from the bias of the interviewer
3. Respondents have adequate time
4. Respondents can be reached
conveniently. 21
 4.5. SOME OTHER METHODS
OF DATA
COLLECTION
• Let us consider some other methods of data
collection, particularly used by big business
houses in modern times.
1. Warranty cards
Warranty cards are usually postal sized cards
which are used by dealers of consumer
durables to collect information regarding their
products
2. Store audits or records
3. Consumer panels
4. Use of mechanical devices
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 4.6. COLLECTION OF SECONDARY
DATA
• Secondary data means data that are
already available i.e., they refer to the
data which have already been collected
and analyzed by someone else.
• When the researcher utilizes secondary data,
then he has to look into various sources from
where he can obtain them.
• In this case he is certainly not confronted
with the problems that are usually
associated with the collection of original
data.
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 4.6. COLLECTION OF SECONDARY
DATA
• Secondary data may either be published
data or unpublished data. Usually
published data are available in:
(a)Various publications of the central,
state are local governments;
(b)Various publications of foreign governments
or of
international bodies and subsidia
their organizations ry
(c)Technical and trade journals
(d)Books, magazines and
newspapers
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 4.6. COLLECTION OF SECONDARY
DATA
(b)Reports and publications of various
associations connected with business and
industry, banks, stock exchanges, etc.
(c)Reports prepared by research
scholars, universities, economists, etc. in
different records
(d)Public fields; and statistics, historical
documents, other sources publishe
and of d
information.

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 4.6. COLLECTION OF SECONDARY
DATA
• By way of caution, the researcher, before
using secondary data, must see that
they possess following characteristics:
1.Reliability of data: The reliability
can be tested by finding out such things
about the said data:
(a)Who collected the data?
(b)What were the sources of data?
(c) Were they collected by using proper
methods
(d)At what time were they collected? 26
 4.6. COLLECTION OF SECONDARY
DATA
(a)Was there any bias of the compiler?
(b)What level of accuracy was desired?
Was it achieved ?
2. Suitability of data: The data that are
suitable for one enquiry may not necessarily be
found suitable in another enquiry. Hence, if
the available data are found to be
unsuitable, they should not be used by the
researcher.

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 4.6. COLLECTION OF SECONDARY
DATA
3.Adequacy of data: If the level of
accuracy achieved in data is found inadequate
for the purpose of the present enquiry, they
will be considered as inadequate and
should not be used by the researcher.
• The data will also be considered
inadequate, if they are related to an area
which may be either narrower or wider
than the area of the present enquiry.

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 4.6. COLLECTION OF SECONDARY
DATA
Selection of Appropriate Method for Data
Collection
Thus, there are various methods of data
collection. As such the researcher must
judiciously select the method/methods for his
own study, keeping in view the following
factors:
1. Nature, scope and object of enquiry
2. Availability of funds
3. Time factor
4. Precision required
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 Think over it…
how to write data collection
methods for your
proposal
and
thesis writing
or
any kind of research
you are interested……