1. DATA COLLECTION METHODS IN NURSING RESEARCH

2. Abstract.
Data collection is a critical activity in clinical research. Even with significant advances in technical capabilities, clear benefits of use, and even user preferences for collecting primary data, paper-based data collection is still common in clinical research settings. There remain multiple methods for primary data collection, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Here we outline a set of data collection practices that would facilitate and enhance research.

3. Definition. Data collection.
Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established systematic fashion, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes.
Data collection is the systematic approach to gathering and measuring information from a variety of sources to get a complete and accurate picture of an area of interest. Data collection enables a person or organization to answer relevant questions, evaluate outcomes and make predictions about future probabilities and trends.

4. Nursing Research.
Nursing research is research that provides evidence used to support nursing practices. Nurses use research to provide evidence-based care that promotes quality health outcomes for individuals, families, communities and health care systems. Nurses also use research to shape health policy in direct care, within an organization. Nursing research is vital to the practice of professional nursing.

5. Data collection methods in Nursing Research
Researchers typically rely on four methods for gathering information:
(a) Participating in the setting
(b) Observing directly
(c) Interviewing in depth, and
(d) Analyzing documents and material culture.
These form the core of their inquiry the staples of the diet. Several secondary and specialized methods of data collection supplement them like.

6. 1) Quantitative collection methods.
The Quantitative data collection methods rely on random sampling and structured data collection instruments that fit diverse experiences into predetermined response categories. They produce results that are easy to summarize, compare, and generalize.
Quantitative data gathering strategies include:
Experiments/clinical trials.
Observing and recording well-defined events (e.g., counting the number of patients waiting in emergency at specified times of the day).
Obtaining relevant data from management information systems.
Administering surveys with closed-ended questions (e.g., face-to face and telephone interviews, questionnaires etc.).

7. 2) Qualitative data collection methods
Qualitative data collection methods play an important role in impact evaluation by providing information useful to understand the processes behind observed results and assess changes in people’s perceptions of their well-being.
Qualitative methods can be used to improve the quality of survey-based quantitative evaluations by helping generate evaluation hypothesis; strengthening the design of survey questionnaires and expanding or clarifying quantitative evaluation findings. The qualitative methods most commonly used in evaluation can be classified in three broad categories:
in-depth interview
observation methods
document review

8. These methods are characterized by the following attributes:
they tend to be open-ended and have less structured protocols (i.e., researchers may change the data collection strategy by adding, refining, or dropping techniques or informants)
they rely more heavily on interactive interviews; respondents may be interviewed several times to follow up on a particular issue, clarify concepts or check the reliability of data
they use triangulation to increase the credibility of their findings (i.e., researchers rely on multiple data collection methods to check the authenticity of their results)
Generally their findings are not generalizable to any specific population; rather each case study produces a single piece of evidence that can be used to seek general patterns among different studies of the same issue.

9. 3) Mixed methods.
A mixed methods approach as your design, combining both qualitative and quantitative research data, techniques and methods within a single research framework.
Mixed methods approaches may mean a number of things: i.e. a number of different types of methods in a study or at different points within a study, or, using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods.
Mixed methods encompass multifaceted approaches that combine to capitalize on strengths and reduce weaknesses that stem from using a single research design. Using this approach to gather and evaluate data may assist to increase the validity and reliability of the research. Mixed methods are useful in highlighting complex research problems such as disparities in health and can also be transformative in addressing issues for vulnerable or marginalized populations or research which involves community participation.

10. 4) Surveys.
Surveys are a good way of gathering a large amount of data, providing a broad perspective. In survey information is standardized and privacy can be maintained. They do, however, have a low response rate, are unable to investigate issues to any great depth, require that the target group is literate and do not allow for any observation.

11. 5) Interviews.
Interviews can be conducted face-to-face or by telephone. They can range from in-depth, semi-structured to unstructured depending on the information being sought.

12. 6) Focus groups.
Focus groups or group discussions are useful to further explore a topic, providing a broader understanding of why the target group may behave or think in a particular way, and assist in determining the reason for attitudes and beliefs. They are conducted with a small sample of the target group and are used to stimulate discussion and gain greater insights.

13. Conclusion
These data collection methods will necessary support which will helps in research process which can help in the development of knowledge for the nurses. Regardless of data type and how they are collected, surveillance systems can be successful if the implementers and end users understand the limitations of both the data and the collection methodology and incorporate that knowledge into their interpretation procedures.

14. References
stattrek.com
libweb.surrey.ac.uk/