Research Methodologies, Lecture notes of Research Methodology

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Chapter-

DATA COLLECTION

Concept of Data

Information or facts collected through record, observation and measurement is known as data. Thus, data does not only represent to quantitative facts buts it refers to video tapes, interview, records and photos.

Generally, data are collected as subjective and objective, quantitative and qualitative in nature through primary and secondary source.

Types of Data

1) Primary and Secondary data: Data that has

been collected by the researcher himself as per

the objective of the research is known as

primary source. Whereas if a researcher uses

the data developed by others in the past for

their own purpose is known as secondary data.

2) Qualitative and quantitative data: Data

collected on the basis of quality or

characteristics is known as qualitative data.

They are the data that can be observed and

not measured. Whereas Quantitative data

deals with numbers. They are the data that can

be measured.

Sources of Data

1) Primary Source of Data  (^) Interview: The data collection method where data are collected by asking questions orally to the respondents is known as interview.  (^) Questionnaire: A questionnaire is a formal list of questions designed to gather response from respondents on a given topic, issue or event.  (^) Observation: A method of collecting data where researcher observes analyses and interprets the events or works personally is known as observation.

Disadvantage of Primary Data

 High Cost. Collecting data using primary research is a

costly proposition as marketer has to be involved

throughout and has to design everything.

 Time Consuming. Because of exhaustive nature of the

exercise, the time required to do research accurately is

very long as compared to secondary data, which can be

collected in much lesser time duration.

 Inaccurate Feed-backs. In case the research involves

taking feedbacks from the targeted audience, there are

high chances that feedback given is not correct.

Feedbacks by their basic nature are usually biased or

given just for the sake of it.

 More number of resources are required. Leaving

aside cost and time, other resources like human

resources and materials too are needed in larger

quantity to do surveys and data collection.

Sources of Data

2) Secondary source of Data a) Published Source: (Government reports and publications, publication of semi-government organizations, Report and publications of international organizations, private publications) b) Unpublished source: Reports of private offices and organizations, some secret information of government and non-government organizations, records of hospital, schools and dissertations of students are some unpublished source. c) Computerized database: Computerized database may be classified as online, internet or off-line.

Use of Secondary Data

 (^) For resolving the research problem: Researcher faces various problems before or during the course of conducting research. Secondary data actually provides enough information to resolve the problems being investigated.  (^) For collecting primary data: Examining available secondary data is a prerequisite to collect primary data. It helps to define the problem and formulate hypotheses.  (^) For meta-analysis: Meta-analysis involves the process of integrating the quantitative and qualitative results of numerous research studies using various methodologies and designs which are on a similar topic.  (^) For contextual background: Researcher should first of all get information about the issues or topics for conducting further studies.

Methods of Primary Data collection  (^) Questionnaire: A questionnaire is a means of gathering information by having the respondents fill in answers to printed questions.  (^) Questionnaire is a set of questions  (^) Questionnaire is sent to the respondents personally or by using post office, internet or email.  (^) Questionnaire is sent to those who are literate or can read and write.  (^) Generally, it is used to study the behaviour of people.

Contents/Components of Questionnaire Writing Generally, questionnaire divides subjects into three groups.

1. Part incorporating explanatory information.  (^) Introduction of researcher and research organization  (^) Main objectives of research  (^) Guidelines to fill up the questionnaire  (^) Assurance of secrecy of responses provided by the respondents  (^) Address to deliver the questionnaire  (^) Thanks for participating in the research work

Contents/Components of Questionnaire Writing

2. Main Part: It is a part which consists of

number of questions and probable answers of

those questions. In this part, researcher enlists

the questions for the collection of data with the

purpose of solving the research problem. This

part may contain dichotomous questions(yes,

No questions), Likert scale (SA, A,N,DA,SDA),

and open ended questions like:

-Give your opinion on the effectiveness of

training program provided by your organization.

________________________________________________

________________________________

Questionnaire Design

 (^) Questionnaire is prepared to obtain the information for attaining the goal of the research. There are sequence of logical steps that every researcher should follow while developing a questionnaire. These steps are given below:

1. Plan what to measure -Revisit the research objectives -Decide issue of research problem -Get additional information on the research issue from literature review -Decide the issues to be asked.

Questionnaire Design

2. Formulate questions to obtain the needed information -Decide the content of each questions -Decide the format of questions 3) Decide on the order and working of questions and its layout -Determine the appropriate words for the questions. -Evaluate each questions on the basis of information. -Group all the questions in sub topic to develop a complete questionnaire.

Questionnaire Administration

 Contact rate: Contact rate is determined based on the

contact made by the researcher with appropriate person.

The more the contact rate, the higher the performance

of the researcher.

 Response rate: Ratio between the contact person and

number of response or answer is known as response

rate.

 Completeness rate: The ratio of questionnaire

obtained with the complete information is referred to

completeness rate. If the incomplete questionnaires are

more, questionnaire administration is poor.

 Accuracy rate: If the alternatives provided in the

questionnaire are not correct then such research

decreases the reliable and increase the chances of

wrong results

Research Interview

It is a method where interviewer and interviewee personally asks the questions and gives the answer. Here, researcher asks the questions on the issue of his or her interest and records the answer of respondents in a paper or tape or videos in research interview.