Data Collection Methods

Amr Albanna, MD, MSc

Objectives
1. Determine the information required for your
study.
2. Understand the different types of data.
3. Learn about different sources of data.
4. Know the criteria to select the data collection
method.
5. Learn how to enter the data in an analyzable
format.

Required Information
Population
Factors that define the population (generalizability).

Exposure
Definition.

Outcome
Definition.

Factors that could influence the association

between exposure and outcome (confounding
factors).

Types of Data
Qualitative Data
Quantitative Data

Qualitative Data
Tend to be open-ended and have less structured
protocols.
Rely more heavily on interactive interviews.
Small number of subjects.

Findings are not generalizable to any specific

population.

Qualitative Data
Utility:
Useful to understand the processes behind
observed results.
Help in generating hypothesis to design
quantitative research.

Quantitative Data
Rely on random sampling.
Structured data collection methods.
Produce results that are easy to summarize,
compare, and generalize.

Example: Student Evaluation of a

Course
Quantitative

Qualitative

Sources of data
Primary
Clinical observations
Questionnaires and
interviews

Secondary
Reportable diseases,
registries
Administrative
databases (hospital
discharges, medication
prescriptions)
Hospital charts
Vital statistics

Personal interview
Face-to-face more response
Telephone less response
Better for complex, semi-structured questions
Errors:
Social desirability bias
Recall error

Self-administered questionnaire

Paper, computer
Better for sensitive data
Cheaper (main advantage)
Low response rate

Errors
Misunderstanding
Recall error

Use of Records
Medical records
Electronic databases
Advantages:
Less recall errors (information has been reported prospectively)
Low cost

Disadvantages:

May not cover all required information

Inconsistent case definition between reporters
Missing data
Reporting errors

Other Data Collection Methods

Observation:
E.g., diet
Use of a medical device

Proxy respondents
E.g., For dead, incompetent or disabled subjects

Diaries
For frequent behaviors (e.g. diet, exercise)

Physical, chemical measures

Individual
Environmental

Criteria to Select the Method

Appropriate to purpose
Feasible
Respondent burden

Cost
Acceptability
Simplicity
Meaningful
Reliability
Validity
Responsiveness
(sensitivity to change)

Criteria to Select the Method

Validity (accuracy):
The degree to which a tool measures what it
claims to measure.

Reliability (consistency):
The tool of measurement produces similar results
under consistent conditions.

Data Collection Sheet

Data extraction form

Data Entry (Analyzable Format)

Variable-1
Unit-1
Unit-2

Unit-3
Unit-4

Variable-2

Variable-3

Type of Variable
Continuous
e.g. Age, weight, blood pressure.

Categorical (discrete)
Dichotomous (binary)
Polychotomous (multi-category)
Nominal
Ordinal

Unit of Analysis
Individual data
Patients
Physician

Cluster (group) data

Meta-analysis
Ecologic study

Individual Data

Data Extraction/Entry

Questions