Method of data collection

Data are facts representing the truth for what is

asked, but researchers never collect facts they
create facts”
Alfred N Whitehead
 Introduction
 Data collection is a crucial stage in the
planning and implementation of a study.
 data analysis becomes difficult when the data
collection has been
- superficial,
- biased or
- incomplete,
 Therefore, we should concentrate all possible
efforts on developing appropriate tools, and
should test them several times.
 Depending on the type of study, different
data-collection techniques may be used.
 In HSR studies we usually combine a
number of different techniques and look at
problems from different perspectives
(triangulation).
The choice of methods of data collection is
based on:
– The resource required
– Acceptability of the method
– Coverage of the method
– Familiarization of the procedure
– Relevance
– The accuracy of information they will yield
– Practical considerations, such as, the need for
personnel, time, equipment and other facilities, in
relation to what is available
 OVERVIEW OF DATA
COLLECTION TECHNIQUES
 Data-collection techniques allow us to
systematically collect information about our
- objects of study (people, objects, phenomena)
- the settings in which they occur.
 In the collection of data we have to be
systematic.
 If data are collected haphazardly, it will be
difficult to answer our research questions in a
conclusive way.
Table 1: Data collection techniques and
tools
Various data collection techniques can be
used such as:
– Using available information
– Observing
– Interviewing
– Administering written questionnaires
– Focus group discussions
– Projective techniques, mapping, scaling
 1. Using available information/documentary
sources
 Locating the sources and retrieving the
information is a good starting point in any data
collection effort.
These include:
 health information system data,
 census data,
 unpublished reports
 publications
 Clinical records
 personal records,
 death certificates,
 published mortality statistics,
 census publications, etc
 key informants
 newspapers
Advantages:
Documents can provide ready made
information relatively easily
The best means of studying past events.
 Data collection is inexpensive
Disadvantages:
 Problems of reliability and validity
 There is a possibility that errors may occur
when the information is extracted from the
records.
 Since the records are maintained not for
research purposes, but for clinical,
administrative or other ends, the information
required may not be recorded at all, or only
partly recorded.
 2. Observing
 Is a technique that involves systematically
selecting, watching and recording behavior
and characteristics of living beings, objects
or phenomena.
Observation of human behavior is a much-
used data collection technique.
It can be undertaken in different ways:
 Participant observation
 Non-participant observation
 Structured observation
 Unstructured observation
Advantages:
• Give additional, more accurate information on
behavior of people than interviews or
questionnaires.
• Check on the information collected through
interviews especially on sensitive topics such as
alcohol or drug use, or stigmatizing diseases.
• They can also be made on objects. For example,
the presence or absence of a latrine and its state
of cleanliness may be observed.
• They would be the major research technique.
Disadvantages:
 They are time consuming
 They are most often used in small-scale
studies.
 Investigators or observers own bias,
prejudices, desires, etc
 Needs more resources and skill human
power during the use of high level machines.
 Ethical issues
 3. Interviewing
• Is a data-collection technique that involves
oral questioning of respondents, either
individually or as a group.
• Based on qualitative or quantitative
or both, type of data collection can be:
 Face to face interview
 Telephone interview
 Self-reported/completed questionnaire
Advantages:
 can stimulate and maintain the respondents
interest the frank answering of questions.
 If anxiety is aroused the interviewer can allay
it.
 can repeat questions which are not
understood, and give standardized
explanations where necessary.
 An interviewer can ask “follow-up” or
“probing” questions to clarify a response.
 can make observations during the interview;
 Disadvantages:
– Time consuming – Normally need a set of
– Need to set up interviews questions
– Geographic limitations
– Can be expensive – Respondent bias
 4. Administering written
questionnaires
 Is a data collection technique in which written
questions are presented that are to be
answered by the respondents in written form.
 It can be administered in different ways, such
as by:
• Sending questionnaires by mail
• Self-administered questionnaires
• Interviewer -administered questionnaires