Sunday, April 18, 2010

PROCESS OF DATA COLLECTION

Questionnaire

These may be mailed, used over the phone, via face to face interaction, e-mailed or placed on website

Advantages
1. It is quick and efficient means of collecting data
2. guarantees anonymity
3. used to survey a large population
4. facilitates the quick reporting and analysis of the data.
5. aids easy sorting summarizing and reporting of data
6. allows for easy administering and can be easily and reliably scored

Disadvantages
1. limits the scope for asking probing questions
2. it is inflexible
3. make assessment of the motivation of the respondent difficult
4. responses are not always objective and may be misleading
5. the items to be forced –choice
6. it is usually limited in the kinds of information that it can elicit
7. they have short spaces for responses

Interviews

Advantages
It allows:
1. the individual to contribute their own views on an issue
2. greater flexibility on the part of the researcher and respondent
3. the interviewer to gather more in depth information and return of data
4. the researcher/ respondent to explain, clarify, and correct any misinterpretation that might arise

Disadvantages
1. It is open to bias and subjectivity
2. it may collect unnecessary and irrelevant details
3. it does not allow for anonymity
4. the questions asked may cause the respondent discomfort

Observation

Advantages
1. It allows for collection of primary data in a natural setting
2. It can give high return of data
3. allows the researcher flexibility
4. it reduces bias and possible interference

Disadvantages
1. It may be affected by researcher bias
2. the reactions of the respondents may be misinterpreted
3. important and relevant information may be missed
4. actions and behaviours never remain static

RESEARCH DESIGNS
1. Historical research -systematic col
lection and objective evaluations of data related to past occurrences to determine causes, effects, trends. This design involves four important steps-defining the problem which would include formulating the hypothesis, locate the relevant sources of information, summarizing and evaluating it and presenting and interpreting its findings.

2. Descriptive research- describes existing conditions without analyzing relationships among variables. Three designs fall here:

(a.) correlation- examines the extent to which differences in one variable are related to the differences in one or more other variable;

(b.) observation- here the researcher observes how people act or how things look.

(c.) survey research.-seeks to establish patterns of cause and effect relationships

3. Between variables. Two types of survey – social and public. Social surveys seek to establish cause and effects of a social phenomenon, while public opinion surveys seek to find out what people think about a particular issue.

4. Experimental- test hypothesis by an experiment using an experimental and a control group

5. Case Study- there is an in-depth investigation of an individual, group, or institution in order to determine variables and relationships among variables over a period of time. Here extensive data is collected. It includes observation, interviews, and documents.

6. Action Research- focuses on finding a solution to a local problem in a local setting. The problem is identified and all participants set out to investigate the reasons for the problem and to arrive at a solution to the problem.

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