Lecture on Primary Data Collection Agnes C. Rola PAf 203

Primary Data Primary data are generated by the researchers themselves. In contrast, secondary data are taken from government agencies, research institutes, libraries.

When do we collect primary data? When we cannot get the information from the secondary data.

Why do we use primary data? It gives us direct field evidence of the problem that is being investigated. The researcher will have a feel of the range of information that can be generated for a certain indicator.

Primary Data Collection Methodologies Sample surveys Focus Group Discussions (FGD) Key Informant Surveys (KI) Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

Sample Surveys Needs sampling methodologies to generate representative samples. Expensive Considers many respondents More accurate data, less biases Can be subjected to rigorous statistical analysis Limited depth of data Structured instruments

Data Collection for sample surveys Personal interviews Phone interviews Mail

Focus Group Discussion Limited respondents Focused topic More depth in data Less expensive Less accurate data Qualitative data analysis Structured questions but more flexible than sample survey

FGDs Data collection is by personal group interaction

Key Informant Surveys Few case respondents: only key persons in the community Less expensive than the FGD Very in-depth data (deeper insights) Person to person interview Guide questions instead of structured questionnaire Qualitative data generation

KIs Flexible Longer administration Need for skilled interviewers High element of bias Amenable to qualitative data analysis.

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) Usually used when selecting a study site View primary data collection from the community perspective Generate community data on biophysical and socio economic characteristics Uses the transect methods in describing the area Multidisciplinary team is needed Can also use any of the above methods for data collection Very qualitative and descriptive analysis

Design of Data Collection Instruments Design is dependent on the research objectives Identify the variables that you want to study Determine how the variables will be measured Design the questionnaire to follow the logic of your research (sequence of questions is very important.

Design of Instruments Design questionnaires that is respondent friendly. Design of questionnaires can have areas for triangulation. Questions should be direct to the point, but probing.

Conduct of Surveys Enumerators should be properly trained. Enumerators should be courteous. Editing the filled up questionnaire in the field is ideal. Field editors and enumerators should have good knowledge of possible range of responses.

More tips Design your dummy tables before designing your questionnaire. List all the variables you need for your research; then search secondary sources, last option is primary data collection.

Exercise 1 Define a very simple research question. Then by your own group discussion, determine whether you may want to use the sample survey, the FGD or the KI. Design the appropriate questionnaire. Be sure that this will contain all the variables you will need to clarify the problem.