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Data Collection
• The process of gathering raw facts or
evidence about a subject of interest in a
systematic way, that enables one to
Data Collection answer stated research questions and
evaluate outcomes.
• Can also be defined as gathering of
information (figures, words or
responses) that describes some
situation from which conclusions can be
drawn.

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Data types
Data Types
• Qualitative Data: • Qualitative approaches
• mostly non-numerical, usually • Questions open-ended e.g group
descriptive or nominal in nature. discussions and interviews
• This means the data collected are in • good for further exploring the effects
the form of words and sentences. and unintended consequences of a
• Qualitative approaches aim to program.
address the ‘how’ and ‘why’ • Expensive and time consuming to
• Tends to use Unstructured methods implement
of data collection • Findings cannot be generalized to
participants outside

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Qualitative Methods Quantitative Data

• Numerical in nature and can be
•The qualitative methods most mathematically computed.
commonly used in evaluation can • Quantitative data measure uses different
be classified in three broad scales, which can be classified as nominal
categories scale, ordinal scale, interval scale and
•In-depth interview ratio scale.
•Observation methods • Often (not always), such data includes
measurements of something.
•Document review.
• Quantitative approaches address the
‘what’ of the program.
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Quantitative Approaches Qualitative Approaches

• Rely on random sampling and structured data collection
• Use a systematic standardized approach instruments
• Results are easy to summarize, compare, and generalize Typical
• Employs methods such as surveys and quantitative data gathering strategies include
• Experiments/clinical trials.
ask questions. • Observing and recording well-defined events (e.g., counting the
number of patients waiting in emergency at specified times of the day).
• Advantage is that they are cheaper to • Obtaining relevant data from management information systems.
• Administering surveys with closed-ended questions (e.g., face-to face
implement and telephone interviews, questionnaires etc).
• In quantitative research (survey research), interviews are more
structured than in Qualitative research.
• Also standardized so comparisons can • Paper-pencil-questionnaires can be sent to a large number of people
and saves the researcher time and money. People are more truthful
be easily made and the size of the effect while responding to the questionnaires regarding controversial issues in
particular due to the fact that their responses are anonymous.
can usually be measured

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Mixed Methods Data Collection Methods

• Combines both qualitative and • Data-collection methods/techniques
quantitative research data, techniques allow us to systematically collect
and methods within a single research information about our objects of study
framework. (people, objects) and about the settings
• Mixed methods approaches may mean in which they occur.
a number of things, i.e. a number of • Data collection tools are instruments
different types of methods in a study or that are used hand in hand with the
at different points within a study or data collection methods to
using a mixture of qualitative and collect/retrieve data.
quantitative methods

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Data Collection Tools and Techniques

Method Tools
Data Sources
Administering written Questionnaires, pens
• Data can be obtained from primary or
questionnaires secondary sources.
Interviewing Interview guide, • Primary data – refers to information
notebook, pens, recoder obtained first-hand and thus happens to
be original
Observation Eyes and other senses, • Secondary data – refers to information
pen/paper, microscope, gathered from already existing sources.
camera
This data may have already passed
Using available Check lists, data through statistical processes.
information compilation forms.

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Collection of Primary Data

• Sources limited and at times difficult to Advantages of Using Primary Data
obtain data from primary source because of
either scarcity of population or lack of • The investigator collects data specific to the
cooperation. problem under study.
• Some of the sources of primary data are • There is no doubt about the quality of the data
• Experiments - require an artificial or natural collected (for the investigator).
setting in which to perform logical study to • If required, it may be possible to obtain additional
collect data data during the study period.
• Survey – can be conducted in different ways
• Questionnaire - most commonly used method
in survey
• Interview: Interview is a face-to-face
conversation with the respondent

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Disadvantages of Using Primary Data Sources of Secondary Data

• The investigator has to contend with all the hassles of data • The following are some ways of collecting secondary
collection deciding why, what, how, when to collect data
• Getting the data collected (personally or through others)
• Books
• Getting funding and dealing with funding agencies
• Records
• Ethical considerations (consent, permissions, etc.)
• Biographies
• Ensuring the data collected is of a high standard • Newspapers
• all desired data is obtained accurately, and in the format it is
required in • Published censuses or other statistical data
• There is no fake/ cooked up data • Data archives
• Unnecessary/ useless data has not been included • Internet articles
• Research articles by other researchers (journals)
• Cost of obtaining the data is often the major expense in
studies. • Databases, etc.

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Advantages of Using Secondary

Disadvantages of Using Secondary Data
Data
• No hassles of data collection. • The data collected by the third party may not be a
reliable party so the reliability and accuracy of data go
• It is less expensive. down.
• Data collected in one location may not be suitable for
• The investigator is not personally the other one due to variable environmental factor.
responsible for the quality of data (‘I • With the passage of time the data becomes obsolete
and very old.
didn’t do it’).
• Secondary data collected can distort the results of the
research. For using secondary data a special care is
required to amend or modify for use.
• Secondary data can also raise issues of authenticity and
copyright

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ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR DATA COLLECTION

ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR
Some ethical principles that various codes address
DATA COLLECTION
• Honesty: Strive for honesty in all scientific communications. • Respect for Intellectual Property: Honor patents, copyrights,
Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and and other forms of intellectual property. Do not use
publication status. Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data. unpublished data, methods, or results without permission.
Do not deceive colleagues, granting agencies, or the public. Give credit where credit is due. Give proper
• Objectivity: Strive to avoid bias in experimental design, data acknowledgement or credit for all contributions to research.
analysis, data interpretation, peer review, personnel decisions, Never plagiarize.
grant writing, expert testimony, and other aspects of research • Confidentiality: Protect confidential communications, such
where objectivity is expected or required. Avoid or minimize bias as papers or grants submitted for publication, personnel
or self-deception. Disclose personal or financial interests that may records, trade or military secrets, and patient records.
affect research.
• Integrity: Keep your promises and agreements; act with sincerity; • Responsible Publication: Publish in order to advance
strive for consistency of thought and action. Carefulness: Avoid research and scholarship, not to advance just your own
careless errors and negligence; carefully and critically examine your career. Avoid wasteful and duplicative publication.
own work and the work of your peers. Keep good records of • Responsible Mentoring: Help to educate, mentor, and advise
research activities, such as data collection, research design, and students. Promote their welfare and allow them to make
correspondence with agencies or journals. Openness: Share data, their own decisions.
results, ideas, tools, resources. Be open to criticism and new ideas.

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ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR

DATA COLLECTION
• Respect for Colleagues: Respect your colleagues and treat them
fairly.
• Social Responsibility: Strive to promote social good and prevent or
mitigate social harms through research, public education, and
advocacy.
• Non-Discrimination: Avoid discrimination against colleagues or
students on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or other factors that
are not related to their scientific competence and integrity.
• Competence: Maintain and improve your own professional
competence and expertise through lifelong education and learning;
take steps to promote competence in science as a whole.
• Legality: Know and obey relevant laws and institutional and
governmental policies.
• Animal Care: Show proper respect and care for animals when using
them in research. Do not conduct unnecessary or poorly designed
animal experiments.

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