DATA COLLECTION

Compilation and interpretation of primary and secondary sources of information. The integration of different sources will consolidate the write up of the report.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Primary Source
Data is collected by researcher himself
Data is gathered through questionnaire, interviews, observations etc.

Secondary Source
Data collected, compiled or written by other researchers eg. books, journals, newspapers Any reference must be acknowledged

STEPS TO COLLECT DATA

REVIEW & COMPILE SECONDARY SOURCE INFORMATION (Referred to in the BACKGROUND/ INTRODUCTION section of report)

PLAN & DESIGN DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS TO GATHER PRIMARY INFORMATION

(Referred to in the FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS sections of report)

DATA COLLECTION DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

METHODS USED TO COLLECT PRIMARY SOURCE DATA

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Interviews Questionnaires Survey Experimentation Case Study Observation

However, for a small-scale study, the most commonly used methods are interviews, survey questionnaires and observations.

Effective way of gathering information

Involves verbal and non-verbal communications

INTERVIEW

Can be conducted face to face, by telephone, online or through mail

Steps To An Effective Interview

Prepare your interview schedule

Select your subjects/ key informants

Conduct the interview

Analyze and interpret data collected from the interview

The most common data collection instrument

Useful to collect quantitative and qualitative information

Survey Questionnaire

Should contain 3 elements: 1. Introduction to explain the objectives 2. Instructions must be clear, simple language & short 3. User-friendly avoid difficult or ambiguous questions

2 Basic Types of survey questions:

1. Open-ended Questions
Free-response (Text Open End) Fill-in relevant information

2.

Close-ended Questions
Dichotomous question Multiple-choice Rank Scale Categorical Numerical

Note:

For specific examples and students activities on each question style, please refer to the notes on Data Collection in the e-learning.

Steps To An Effective Survey Questionnaire

Prepare your survey questions
(Formulate & choose types of questions, order them, write instructions, make copies)

Select your respondents/sampling

Random/Selected

Administer the survey questionnaire

(date, venue, time )

Tabulate data collected

(Statistical analysis-frequency/mean/correlation/% )

Analyze and interpret data collected

A sample of complete survey questionnaire http://www.custominsight.com/demo/form_widgets.rtf

Observe verbal & non-verbal communication, surrounding atmosphere, culture & situation

Need to keep meticulous records of the observations

Observations

Can be done through discussions, observations of habits, rituals, review of documentation, experiments

Steps To An Effective Observation

Determine what needs to be observed
(Plan, prepare checklist, how to record data)

Select your participants

Random/Selected

Conduct the observation

(venue, duration, recording materials, take photographs )

Compile data collected

Analyze and interpret data collected

DATA ANALYSIS
Summary sheet 1. To analyse data from interviews and observation, use Checklist Manually

2. To analyse data from questionnaires, use

SPSS

3. In a small scale study, the most common forms of statistical analysis presented are: Frequency Mean Percentage

DATA INTERPRETATION
1. It involves 2 terms Results presentation of data/findings (statistics) Discussion interpretation of data/findings 2. Things to consider when interpreting your data: Interpret findings based on the purpose and objectives of your study Relate the findings to real life context Use persuasive language to convince your readers to see the research from your point of view. Order your interpretation to highlight the most important findings Include limitations to your research. Use simple, clear language