DATA COLLECTION
TECHNIQUES
Trainer: Md Yeasir Yunus
PhD Researcher, University of Portsmouth, UK
St Mary’s University, UK (MA) - Commonwealth Scholar
University of Dhaka – Population Sciences (MSS, BSS)
5.October. 2024
REC AP OF THE PREVIOUS CLASS
Approach, Data
Research Research
Design & Sampling Collection
Problem Question Strategy (if any) Techniques
AGENDA
• Structured vs Unstructured Questions
• Survey and Questionnaire
• In Depth Interview
• Key Informant Interview
• Focused Group Discussion
• Narrative Data
• Secondary Data
STRUCTURED, SEMI STRUCTURED
UNSTRUCTURED DATA
QUESTIONNAIRE
• a list of questions each with a range of
answers;
• a format that enables standardized,
relatively structured, data to be gathered
about each of a (usually) large number of
participants.
T Y P ES O F Q U ES T I O N S
Closed-ended Questions: Provide predefined answer choices, limiting
the respondent’s options. These are easier to analyze. Example: "How
often do you use public transport? (a) Daily (b) Weekly (c) Never."
Likert Scale: Often used to gauge attitudes or feelings on a scale.
Example: "I feel satisfied with my job. (1) Strongly Disagree to (5) Strongly
Agree."
Yes/No Questions: A binary option for straightforward answers.
Example: "Do you own a car? (Yes/No)"
Number/Rating Questions: Allow the respondent to input a numerical
value. Example: "How many hours do you work per week?"
Open-ended Questions: Allow respondents to provide answers in their
own words, providing richer, qualitative data. Example: "What do you think
about the current education system?"
T Y P ES O F DATA
Descriptions – people’s
descriptions about Knowledge – what
something that, for people know about
example, has happened to something
them
Opinions – what their
Attitudes/values – their
opinion is about
attitudes towards other
something they have
people, institutions, ideas
experienced or know
and so on;
about;
Background
information about the
respondent which may be
linked to the research
topic.
WAY OF DATA COLLECTION
USING QUESTIONNAIRE
FACE-TO-FACE TELEPHONE SELF-COMPLETION
QUESTIONNAIRE QUESTIONNAIRE QUESTIONNAIRES
INTERVIEWS INTERVIEWS
QUESTIONNAIRE AND A
VALIDATED QUESTIONNAIRE
Aspect Regular Questionnaire Validated Questionnaire
Development Created by the researcher, Developed through rigorous,
Process often quickly standardized processes
Testing May or may not involve Undergoes thorough testing (validity,
pre-testing or piloting reliability)
Accuracy Potential for error or bias in Highly accurate in measuring intended
questions constructs
Reliability May not produce Produces consistent, reliable results
consistent results across studies
Use Cases Exploratory research, pilot Formal research, critical decision-
studies making, published studies
Examples A custom survey on work Validated tools like the SF-36 Health
satisfaction Survey or the Big Five Personality Test
• Example of questionnaire:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti
P R AC T I C A L cle/pii/S2352340920315018#sec0008
AND • Learning Kobo Toolbox:
F U RT H E R
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vJnnty
RESOURCE
4UG0&list=PLEepkWEgJ5LX_BM9GmNnx
-Unst95_BOPW
SEMI-STRUCTURED
INTERVIEWS
Semi-structured interview is a data collection
method which usually: facilitates direct
communication between two people, either
face to face or at a distance via telephone or
the internet; enables the interviewer to elicit
information, feelings and opinions from the
interviewee using questions and interactive dialogue.
Recording the interview
• Semi-structured interviews are often recorded
and then transcribed. Where recording is not
possible, notes can be taken during the interview
and then fully written up as soon as possible after
the interview.
In-Depth Focus Group
Interviews Key Informants
Discussion
These are typically semi- A focus group gathers a
structured, allowing for These are individuals with small, diverse group of
deep exploration of a expert knowledge or a people to discuss a
subject. The interviewer specific connection to the particular topic under the
prepares guiding questions subject under study. guidance of a moderator. It
but allows the conversation Interviews with key is used to explore people's
to flow naturally. This informants provide valuable opinions and ideas in a
method helps to uncover contextual information, more interactive and
insights that are not easily especially in research areas dynamic environment. The
gathered through surveys that require specialized or data gathered are
or other methods. localized knowledge. qualitative in nature.
• Example 1:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/arti
cle?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146161
#ack
EXAMPLE
• Example 2:
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-
05322-2
NARRATIVE
• This approach involves collecting data through
stories and personal accounts, often useful in
case studies. It provides a deep understanding
of experiences over time and can reveal
trends, patterns, or key turning points in the
subject’s life or situation.
• Example:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/
13648470.2010.526698?casa_token=wGvrCD
kRowMAAAAA:ZIbK-
UxxJ5vaXOAIougncjb89fa51F69T24WQeU7v
Ems7Aasv-
B7ASDj4uNy4RuCBQR7hn7A2ZzEew
SECONDARY
SOURCES
• This involves the use of already existing data
such as books, research papers, government
reports, or media articles. This is useful for
contextualizing primary data and providing
historical comparisons.
• Example:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id
=10.1371/journal.pone.0202879
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S A M P L E , F I N D I D E A L DATA C O L L E C T I O N T E C H N I Q U E
THANK YOU EVERYONE!
