Data Collection

Session 20: Data Collection

Total Session Time: 60 minutes + 360 minutes

Prerequisites

 None

Learning Tasks

By the end of this session students are expected to be able to:

 Review previous data-collection techniques

 State the uses and limitations of different data collection methods

 Mention issues to consider in selecting data collection methods

 List advantages of using a combination of different data collection techniques

 Explain difference between data collection methods and tools

 Identify various sources of bias in data collection and ways of preventing

Resources Needed

 Flip charts, marker pens, and masking tape

 Black/white board and chalk/whiteboard markers

 Computer and LCD

SESSION OVERVIEW

Activity/

Step Time Content

Method

1 05 minutes Presentation Introduction, Learning Tasks

Presentation

2 10 minutes Various Data-Collection Techniques

Buzzing

Presentation

3 Group The Uses and Limitations of Different Data Collection

35 minutes discussion Methods

4 Presentation Issues to Consider in Selecting Data Collection

10 minutes Methods

5 Presentation Advantages of Using a Combination of Different Data

10 minutes Collection Techniques

6 Presentation Difference between Data Collection

25 minutes Methods/techniques and Tools

7 Presentation Sources of Bias in Data Collection and Ways of

15 minutes Preventing

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8 05 minutes Presentation Key Points

9 05 minutes Presentation Evaluation

SESSION CONTENTS

STEP1: Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks (5 minutes)

READ or ASK students to read the learning tasks and clarify

ASK students if they have any questions before continuing

STEP 2: Various Data-Collection Techniques (10 minutes)

Activity: Buzzing (5 minutes)

ASK students to pair up and buzz on the following question for 2 minutes

 What are various data-collection techniques

ALLOWS few students to respond

WRITE their responses on the flipchart or board

CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the content below

 Data-collection techniques

o Use of available information

o Observation

o Interview

o Administering a questionnaire

o Focus group discussion

o In-depth interview

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STEP 3: Uses and Limitations of Different Data Collection Methods (35

minutes)

Activity: Small Group Discussion (20 minutes)

DIVIDE students into small manageable groups

ASK students to discuss on the following question

ALLOW students to discuss for 10 minutes

ALLOW few groups to present and the rest to add points not mentioned

CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the contents below

 Use of available information

o Means: Looking into records and extracting information

o Advantages

 Cheaper since information is already there

 Doesn't depend on respondent‘s willingness to respond

 Allow observation of trend

o Disadvantages

 May be difficult to access the data

 Information may be incomplete or imprecise

 Ethical concerns regarding confidentiality may arise

 Observation

o Means: Watching and recording, no talking with respondent

o advantages

 Gives information of what is currently happening

 Doesn't depend on respondent‘s willingness to respond

 Disadvantages

 Observer may notice only what interests him/her (bias)

 Presence of observer may influence behaviour of respondent

 Ethical concerns regarding confidentiality may arise

 Interview

o Means: Asking a respondent questions orally

o Advantages

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 Can be used for illiterates

 Allows clarification of questions

 Higher response rate

o Disadvantages

 Expensive (time, human resources)

 Presence of interviewer may influence response

 Administering a questionnaire

o Means: giving respondents written questions (questionnaire) so that they read the

questions themselves and provide answers

o Advantages

 Quick and cheap, no many research assistants needed

 Allows anonymity, hence more honest responses

o disadvantages

 Require literate respondents

 Response rate could be low

 Questions may be misunderstood by respondents

 Some respondents may choose responses simply because they saw it there,

otherwise they wouldn't have thought of it

 Focus group discussion

o Means: A discussion of a topic by a group of selected persons guided by a facilitator

o Advantages

 Flexibility to explore new issues that arises

 Findings are more believable

 Relatively cheaper

o Disadvantage

 Discussion could base on irrelevant issues

 Minority opinion may not be expressed

 Difficult to analyse the data

 Require highly trained moderator

 In-depth interview

o Means: A person to person conversation in order to gain insight into people's

thoughts, feelings, and behaviour on important issues

o Advantages

 Collects large amount of data quickly

 Allows clarification of issues

o Disadvantages

 Needs skilled interviewer

 Data difficult to analyse

 Views could be subjective

STEP 4: Issues to Consider in Selecting Data Collection Methods (10

Minutes)

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 Objectives of the study

 Nature of required information (quantitative or qualitative)

 Resources available (time, money, personnel)

 Acceptability of the method by respondents

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STEP 5: Advantages of Using a Combination of Different Data Collection

Techniques (10 minutes)

give a more comprehensive understanding of the topic under study.

o Loosely structured interviews using open-ended questions.

o Focus group discussions.

o Participant observations are also called qualitative research techniques.

o They produce qualitative data that is often recorded in narrative form.

o Involve the identification and exploration of a number of often mutually related

variables that give insight in human behavior (motivations, opinions, attitudes), in the

nature and causes of certain problems and in the consequences of the problems for

those affected.

o In qualitative technique why, what and how are important questions.

o Quantitative technique is used to quantify the size, distribution, and association of

certain variables in a study population.

o In quantitative research techniques, how many? How often? and how significant? are

important questions.

o Structured questionnaires that enable the researcher to quantify pre- or post-

categorized answers to questions are an example of quantitative research techniques.

 The answers to questions can be counted and expressed numerically.

o Example: Observation and interview

STEP 6: Difference Between Data Collection Methods and Tools (25

minutes)

 Data collection instruments and tools are things that are used in collecting information.

o Example of instrument: Data compilation form, interview guide, etc.

o Example of tool: Pen, weighing scale

 Different techniques need different instruments and tools

Technique Instrument/tool Tool

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Use of available information Data compilation form Eye, pen

Observation Checklist Eye, pen

Interview Interview schedule, guide Ears, pen, recorder

Administering a Questionnaire Pen

questionnaire

Focus Group Discussion FGD guide Recorder, notebook, pen

(FGD)

STEP 7: Sources of Bias in Data Collection and Ways of Preventing (15

Minutes)

o Defective instruments or tools

o Interviewers and observers – different data collectors eliciting different information

o Effect of the interview – respondents mistrust the interview intention, thus dodge the

questions

o Information bias – incomplete record, respondents being unable to recall

o Data collection tools (including written introductions for the interviewers to use with

potential respondents) should be pre-tested. If necessary, adjustments should be made

to ensure better co-operation.

o If non-response is due to absence of the subjects, follow-up of non-respondents may

be considered.

o If non-response is due to refusal to co-operate, an extra, separate study of non-

respondents may be considered in order to identify to what extent they differ from

respondents.

o Another strategy is to include additional people in the sample, so that non-respondents

who were absent during data collection can be replaced. This can only be justified if

their absence was very unlikely to be related to the topic being studied.

o The bigger the non-response rate, the more necessary it becomes to take remedial

action.

o It is important in any study to mention the non-response rate and to honestly discuss

whether and how the non-response might have influenced the results.

STEP 8: Key Points (5 minutes)

administering questionnaires, focus group discussion, in-depth interview

 Sources of bias in data collection may arise from tools, interviewer and information

recorded

 Data collection instruments and tools are things that are used in collecting information

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STEP 9: Evaluation (5 minutes)

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References

Hardon A, Boonmongkon P, and Streefland P. et al (2001). Applied Health research,

Anthropology of health and health care, (3rd Ed) Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Het

Spinhuis Publishers

Beaglehole R, Bonita R and Kjellstrom (1993) Basic epidemiology: Geneva, Switzerland:

World Health Organization,

Kothari C.R (1985). Research Methodology – Methods and techniques, (2nd ed); New Delhi,

India; Wiley Eastern Limited

Stewart A (2001). Basic Statistics and epidemiology, A practical guide,; London, United

Kingdom: Radcliffe Medical Press,

Varkevisser, C. M, Pathmanathan, I and Brownlee, A (1991). Designing and Conducting

Health Systems Research Projects, Vol. 2 Part I: Ottawa, Canada: IDRC

Polit, D. F and Beck, C. T (2004). Nursing Research – Principles and Methods, (7th Ed):

Philadelphi, USA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,

Kazaura, M. R., Makwaya, C. K., Masanja, C. M. and Mpembeni, R.C.(1997). Lecture

notesinBiostatistics, manual of biostatistics, Muhimbili University College of Health

Sciences, Dar es Salaam

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