The process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes
DATA COLLECTION
Consequences from Improperly Collected Data
- Inability to answer research questions accurately
- Inability to repeat and validate study
- Distorted findings resulting in wasted resources
- Misleading other researchers to pursue fruitless avenues of investigation
- Compromising decisions for public policy
- Causing harm to human participants and animal subjects
Steps in Data Gathering
- Set the objectives for collecting data
- Determine the date needed based on the set objectives
- Determine the method to be used in data gathering and define the comprehensive data collection points
- Design data gathering forms to be used
- Collect data
Include information collected and processed directly by the researcher
PRIMARY DATA
Information that has already been collected, processed, and reported out by another researcher/entity
SECONDARY DATA
Researcher has direct contact with the interviewee and asks questions (Primary Data Collection)
DIRECT PERSONAL INTERVIEWS
Sourcing and accessing existing data that were originally collected for the purpose of the study (Primary Data Collection)
INDIRECT/QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
Group interview of approximately six to twelve people who share similar characteristics or common interests. A facilitator guides the group based on a predetermined set of topics
FOCUS GROUP
There is direct human intervention on the conditions that may affect the values of the variable of interest (Primary Data Collector)
EXPERIMENT
Collecting data on the phenomenon of interest by recording what is actually happening (Primary Data Collection)
OBSERVATIONS
Key Design Principles of Good Questionnaire
- Keep the questionnaire as short as possible
- Decide on the type of questionnaire
- Write the questions properly
- Order the questions appropriately
- Write an introduction
- Write special instructions for respondents
- Translate questions if necessary
- Pretest the questionnaire
Limitations of Experimental Method
- Ethical, moral, and legal concerns
- Unrealistic controlled environments
- Inability to control for all variables
Methods of Collecting Secondary Data
- Published report on newspaper and periodicals
- Financial Data reported in annual reports
- Records maintained by the institution
- Internal reports of the government departments
- Information from official publications
