Data Collection Instruments (Questionnaire & Interview), Exams of Designs and Groups

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Data Collection Instruments

(Questionnaire & Interview)

Dr. Karim Abawi Training in Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Geneva 2014

Geneva Workshop 2014

Data Collection Instruments

• Accurate and systematic data collection is critical to

conducting scientific research.

• Data collection allows us to collect information that we want

to collect about our study objects.

• Depending on research type, methods of data collection include: documents review, observation, questioning, measuring, or a combination of different methods.

Steps required to design and administer

a questionnaire

1. Defining the Objectives of the Study

2. Define the target respondents and methods to

reach them.

3. Questionnaire Design

4. Pilot Testing

5. Questionnaire Administration

6. Results Interpretation

1. Defining the Objectives of the Study

• A questionnaire should allow us to collect the

most complete and accurate data in a logical

flow.

• This is done in order to reach reliable conclusions from what we are planning to observe.
• A well-designed questionnaire should meet the

research goal and objectives and minimize un-

answered questions—a common problem

bound to many surveys.

c. Writing the Questionnaire

• Before writing the questionnaire researcher should

decide on the questionnaire content.

• Each question should contribute to testing one or

more hypothesis/ research question established in the research design. Questions could be:

• Open format questions that are without a

predetermined set of responses.

• Closed format questions that take the form of a

multiple-choice question.

c. Writing the Questionnaire (Cont)

Points to be considered when writing and interpreting questionnaires :

• Clarity (question has the same meaning for all respondents)
• Phrasing ( short and simple sentences, only one piece of information at a time, avoid negatives if possible, ask precise questions, in line with respondent level of knowledge…)
• Sensitive question: avoid questions that could be embarrassing to respondents.
• Hypothetical Questions should be avoided if possible.

1.2 Conclusion

• Questionnaire design is a multi-step process.
• Questionnaires allow collection of both subjective and objective data in a large sample of the study population in order to obtain results that are statistically significant , specially when resources are limited.
• It is a good tool for the protection of the privacy of the participants.
• The validity of data and information depends on the honesty of the respondent.
• The questionnaires can measure both qualitative and quantitative data, but is it more appropriate for quantitative data collection.

2. Interview

• Interviews consist of collecting data by asking

questions.

• Data can be collected by listening to individuals,

recording, filming their responses, or a combination of methods.

There are four types of interview:

• Structured interview
• Semi-structured interview
• In-depth interview, and
• Focused group discussion

2.2. Semi-structured and in-depth

interviews

• Semi-structured interviews include a number of

planned questions, but the interviewer has more freedom to modify the wording and order of questions.

• In-depth interview is less formal and the least

structured, in which the wording and questions are not predetermined. This type of interview is more appropriate to collect complex information with a higher proportion of opinion-based information.

2.3 Advantages and disadvantages of

interview

Advantages:

• Collect complete information with greater understanding.
• It is more personal, as compared to questionnaires, allowing us to have higher response rates.
• It allows more control over the order and flow of questions.
• We can introduce necessary changes in the interview schedule based on initial results (which is not possible in the case of a questionnaire study/survey)

Disadvantages:

• Data analysis—especially when there is a lot of qualitative data.
• Interviewing can be tiresome for large numbers of participants.
• Risk of bias is high due to fatigue and to becoming too involved with interviewees. .

3.1 Focus group discussion, some

practical issues

• The ideal size of the Focus groups :
• 8-10 participants
• 1 Facilitator
• 1 Note-taker
• Preparation for the Focus Group
• Identifying the purpose of the discussion
• Identifying the participants
• Develop the questions
• Running the Focus Group
• 1. Opening the Discussion
• 2. Managing the discussion
• 3. Closing the focus group
• 4. Follow-up after the focus group

Recommended readings

1. Wai-Ching Leung. How to design a questionnaire. Student BMJ. 2001 June;9:187-9. http://www.dpcdsb.org/NR/rdonlyres/138975AC-B110-4D1E-902F- 81C8E69BF9A0/107060/How_to_design_a_questionnaire.pdf
2. Hudelson PM. Qualitative Research for Public Health Programmes. WHO/MNH/PSF/94.3. Geneva 1994. http://libdoc.who.int/hq/1994/WHO_MNH_PSF_94.3.pdf
3. Mays N, Pope C. Assessing quality in qualitative research. BMJ. 2000 Jan 1;320(7226):50-2.