Data Collection Tools
& Technique
Sylvia David Kachola
Associate prof. Gowokani Chijere Chirwa
Dr. Martin Mwale
Jattah Manoah
Amanda Chatata
Innocent Luka
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.
Types of data
1. By nature
• Qualitative & Quantitative
2. By purpose of collection
• Primary & Secondary
3. Sources of data/Origin of data
• Individual; Household; Community; Hospital; Clinic;
School etc.
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.
• The question which method
of primary data collection
should be selected depends
on the nature, time and cost.
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 such as reports,
internet e.t.c
Qualitative data
• Qualitative data are mostly non-numerical.
• 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 data
• Qualitative questions are open-ended.
• Qualitative methods include focus groups, group
discussions and interviews.
• They are, however, expensive and time consuming to
implement
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 data
• 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
Data collection Tools
• The instruments 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
Tools Preparation for Data
Collection
• Data collected on tools like Questionnaires.
• 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
Data collection techniques
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
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.
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.
Observation
• This type of study can be:
• 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.
Interview
• Is a qualitative method of data
collection whose results are
based on intensive engagement
with respondents about a
particular study.
• Can be structured (formal), semi-
structured or unstructured
(informal).
• Can be conducted through face-
to-face meeting with the
interviewees, through telephone
and online such as Zoom.
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.
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.
Focus Group Discussion
• Involves gathering people from similar backgrounds or
experiences together to discuss a specific topic of
Interest
• Approximately six to twelve people who share similar
characteristics or common interests.
• Contains “perceptions attitudes, beliefs, opinion or
ideas”, meaning that the data is descriptive and cannot
be measured numerically.
Steps of Conducting Focus
Group Discussion
Step 1: Define the Purpose
Step 2: Select the
Participants
Step3: Manage the
Atmospherics
Step 4: Develop the Questions
Step 5: Conduct the Session
Step 6: Analyse the Results
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.
TRANSECT WALK
• Systematic walk along a defined path (transect) across
the community/project area together with the local
people.
• By observing, asking, listening, looking and producing
a transect diagram.
