Data and Data Collection Kownayn University Data and Data Collection

Collecting Primary Data Using Questionnaires Introduction Advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires Types of Questionnaires: self-administered and interview-administered questionnaires Consider issues: Selection and justification for using questionnaires Designing, pilot testing and administering Enhancing response rate Conclusion

Introduction Questionnaire: Technique of data collection in which each person is asked to respond to the same set of questions in a predetermined order. It is widely used tool in survey studies. Careful design and pilot test is required before administering the questionnaires to the respondents.

Introduction, cont… Types of Questionnaires: Self-administered: usually completed by the respondents (e.g., internet-mediated, postal or mail or delivery and collection questionnaires). Interview administered Telephone questionnaires Structured interviews

Introduction, cont… Choice of questionnaires: Is influenced by factors related to your research questions and objectives: Size of sample Types of questions Characteristics of the respondents Response rate It is used either descriptive or explanatory purpose

Advantages and Disadvantages Provides efficient way of collecting responses from a large sample Required less skill and sensitivity than semi-structure and in-depth interviews Ability to generalize the results (depends to your sample size) Disadvantage You have only one chance of collecting data Not suitable for exploratory studies Difficult to maintain good response rate

Ensuring Essential Data are Collected Decide whether the main outcome of your research is descriptive or explanatory Sub-divide each research question/objective into more specific investigative questions about which you need to collect data Develop measurement questions to capture the data at level required for each variable

Enhancing Response Rate You should observe the following: Careful design of individual questions Clear and pleasing layout of the questions Clear explanation of the purpose of the questionnaire Pilot testing Carefully planned and executed administration

Types of Questions Open questions (use only if you are unsure the response) List questions (offer a respond a list of responses) Category questions (respondent’s answer can fit only one category) Ranking questions (ask the respondent to place things in rank order) Rating questions (used to collect opinion questions using likert-scale rating) Quantity questions (number is required) Matrix questions (questions are listed down and responses are listed top)

Conclusion Process of Using Questionnaires: For this stage better to adopt/adapt used/ developed questionnaire from prior studies with same research area because of: Validity and reliability issues are minimal No need time to develop from scratch No need to discuss and justify in paragraphs how you developed your questionnaire

When to use non-standardised (qualitative) interviews Collecting Primary Data Using Semi-structured, In-depth and Group Interviews Introduction Types of interviews When to use non-standardised (qualitative) interviews Data quality issues and preparing for the interview Interviewing competence Group interview and focus groups Conclusion

Introduction Definition: An interview is a purposively discussion between two or more people (Kahn & Cannell, 1957). Semi-structured interview: the interviewer commences with a set of themes without order and new themes are added based on the situation. It can facilitate gathering valid and reliable data that are relevant to your research objectives.

Types of Interviews Interview may be both formalized, structured (standardized) or informal and unstructured conversations: Structured interview Semi-structured interview Unstructured or in-depth interviews Or simply standardised or non-standardised interviews

Types of Interviews, cont… Structured interviews: use questionnaires based on a predetermined and standardised or identical set of questions referred to as interviewer-administered questionnaires You read out each question and then record the response They can be used to collect quantifiable data

Types of Interviews, cont… Semi-structured and in-depth interviews are non standardised They are often referred to as qualitative research interviews The researcher may have set of questions, although these may vary from interview to interview The order of questions may be varied depending on flow of the conversation Data will be recorded by audio-recording the conversation or note taking

Types of Interviews, cont… Un-structured interviews: are informal It is used for exploring in depth a general area in which you are interested There is no predetermined questions to work through However, you need to have a clear idea about the aspect you intend to explore

Types of Interviews, cont… In exploratory study In-depth interviews can be helpful to find out what is happening to seek insights Semi-structured interviews may also be used in relation to an exploratory study In descriptive studies, structured interviews can be used as a means to identify general patterns In explanatory study, semi-structured interviews may be used to understand the relationship between variables. Structured interview is also relevant

When to use non-standardised (qualitative) interview Four aspects should be considered using qualitative interviews: The purpose and the strategy of the research The significance of establishing personal contact The nature of the data collection questions The length of time required and completeness of the process

Data quality issues and preparing for the interview Data quality issues are raised in using semi-structured and in-depth interviews: Reliability Forms of bias Validity, and Generalisibility

Interviewing competence In order to develop and demonstrate competence in conducting semi-structured and in-depth interviews Observe the following: Opining the interview Using appropriate language Questioning and listening skills Testing and summarizing understanding Recognizing and dealing with difficult participants Recording data

Group interviews and focus groups General term to describe all non-standardised interviews conducted with two or more people: Focus group Discussion group

Conclusion Process of Using Interview: The key point for you to consider is the consistency between your: Research question and objectives The strategy you will employ, and The methods of data collection you will use The key to a successful interview is careful preparation (five Ps: prior planning prevents poor performance)