Question

 

Secondary qualitative methods of data collection, and Survey Methods of data collection - data collection methods, methods of data collection

Answer 1

Data collection and methods of data collections

Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring data, information or any variables of interest in a standardized and established manner that enables the collector to answer or test hypothesis and evaluate outcomes of the particular collection. This is an integral, usually initial, component of any research done in any field of study such as the physical and social sciences, business, humanities and others.

Data collection can be classified into two, namely: primary and secondary data. Primary data are raw data i.e. fresh and are collected for the first time. Secondary data, on the other hand, are data that were previously collected and tested.

The most commonly used methods are: published literature sources, surveys (email and mail), interviews (telephone, face-to-face or focus group), observations, documents and records, and experiments.

1. Literature sources

This involves the collection of data from already published text available in the public domain. Literature sources can include: textbooks, government or private companies’ reports, newspapers, magazines, online published papers and articles.

This method of data collection is referred to as secondary data collection. In comparison to primary data collection, it is inexpensive and not time consuming.

2. Surveys

Survey is another method of gathering information for research purposes. Information are gathered through questionnaire, mostly based on individual or group experiences regarding a particular phenomenon.

There are several ways by which this information can be collected. Most notable ways are: web-based questionnaire and paper-based questionnaire (printed form). The results of this method of data collection are generally easy to analyses.

3. Interviews

Interview is a qualitative method of data collection whose results are based on intensive engagement with respondents about a particular study. Usually, interviews are used in order to collect in-depth responses from the professionals being interviewed.

Interview can be structured (formal), semi-structured or unstructured (informal). In essence, an interview method of data collection can be conducted through face-to-face meeting with the interviewee(s) or through telephone.

4. Observations

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. This type of study can be contriolled, natural or participant.

Controlled observation is when the researcher uses a standardised precedure 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.

5. Documents and records

This is the process of examining existing documents and records of an organisation for tracking changes over a period of time. Records can be tracked by examining call logs, email logs, databases, minutes of meetings, staff reports, information logs, etc.

For instance, an organisation may want to understand why there are lots of negative reviews and complains from customer about its products or services. In this case, the organisation will look into records of their products or services and recorded interaction of employees with customers.

6. Experiments

Experiemental research is a research method where the causal relationship between two variables are being examined. One of the variables can be manipulated, and the other is measured. These two variables are classified as dependent and independent variables.

In experimental research, data are mostly collected based on the cause and effect of the two variables being studied. This type of research are common among medical researchers, and it uses quantitative research approach.

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Secondary Data Collection Methods

When the data are collected by someone else for a purpose other than the researcher’s current project and has already undergone the statistical analysis is called as Secondary Data.

The secondary data are readily available from the other sources and as such, there are no specific collection methods. The researcher can obtain data from the sources both internal and external to the organization.

The internal sources of secondary data are:

a. Sales Report

b. Financial Statements

c. Customer details, like name, age, contact details, etc.

d. Company information

e. Reports and feedback from a dealer, retailer, and distributor

f. Management information system

There are several external sources from where the secondary data can be collected. These are:

a. Government censuses, like the population census, agriculture census, etc.

b. Information from other government departments, like social security, tax records, etc.

c. Business journals

d. Social Books

e. Business magazines

f. Libraries

g. Internet, where wide knowledge about different areas is easily available.

The secondary data can be both qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative data can be obtained through newspapers, diaries, interviews, transcripts, etc. and Semi-structured and structured interviews, focus groups transcripts, field notes, observation records and other personal, research-related documents., while the quantitative data can be obtained through a survey, financial statements and statistics. Eg. Census, housing, social security as well as electoral statistics and other related databases.

                              Secondary data is often readily available. After the expense of electronic media and internet the availability of secondary data has become much easier.

1. Published Printed Sources: There are varieties of published printed sources. Their credibility depends on many factors. For example, on the writer, publishing company and time and date when published. New sources are preferred and old sources should be avoided as new technology and researches bring new facts into light.

2. Books: Books are available today on any topic that you want to research. The use of books start before even you have selected the topic. After selection of topics books provide insight on how much work has already been done on the same topic and you can prepare your literature review. Books are secondary source but most authentic one in secondary sources.

3. Journals/periodicals: Journals and periodicals are becoming more important as far as data collection is concerned. The reason is that journals provide up-to-date information which at times books cannot and secondly, journals can give information on the very specific topic on which you are researching rather talking about more general topics.

4. Magazines/Newspapers: Magazines are also effective but not very reliable. Newspapers on the other hand are more reliable and in some cases the information can only be obtained from newspapers as in the case of some political studies

5. Published Electronic Sources: As internet is becoming more advance, fast and reachable to the masses; it has been seen that much information that is not available in printed form is available on internet. In the past the credibility of internet was questionable but today it is not. The reason is that in the past journals and books were seldom published on internet but today almost every journal and book is available online. Some are free and for others you have to pay the price.

6. e-journals: e-journals are more commonly available than printed journals. Latest journals are difficult to retrieve without subscription but if your university has an e-library you can view any journal, print it and those that are not available you can make an order for them.

7. General Websites: Generally websites do not contain very reliable information so their content should be checked for the reliability before quoting from them.

8. Weblogs: Weblogs are also becoming common. They are actually diaries written by different people. These diaries are as reliable to use as personal written diaries.

9. Unpublished Personal Records: Some unpublished data may also be useful in some cases.

10. Diaries: Diaries are personal records and are rarely available but if you are conducting a descriptive research then they might be very useful. The Anne Frank’s diary is the most famous example of this. That diary contained the most accurate records of Nazi wars.

11. Letters: Letters like diaries are also a rich source but should be checked for their reliability before using them.

12. Government Records: Government records are very important for marketing, management, humanities and social science research.

13. Census Data/population statistics: Health records; Educational institutes’ records etc.

14. Public Sector Records: NGOs’ survey data; Other private companies records

Survey methods of data collections

The essence of survey method can be explained as “questioning individuals on a topic or topics and then describing their responses”. In business studies survey method of primary data collection is used in order to test concepts, reflect attitude of people, establish the level of customer satisfaction, conduct segmentation research and a set of other purposes. Survey method can be used in both, quantitative, as well as, qualitative studies.

Survey method pursues two main purposes:

a. Describing certain aspects or characteristics of population and/or

b. Testing hypotheses about nature of relationships within a population.

Questionnaires

Typically, a questionnaire is a paper-and-pencil instrument that is administered to the respondents. The usual questions found in questionnaires are closed-ended questions, which are followed by response options. However, there are questionnaires that ask open-ended questions to explore the answers of the respondents.

Questionnaires have been developed over the years. Today, questionnaires are utilized in various survey