DATA COLLECTION

1. DATA COLLECTION • Compilation and interpretation of primary and secondary sources of information. • The integration of different sources will consolidate the write up of the report.

2. SOURCES OF INFORMATION • Primary Source • Data is collected by • researcher himself • Data is gathered • through questionnaire, • interviews, • observations etc. • Secondary Source • Data collected, • compiled or • written by other • researchers eg. books, • journals, newspapers • Any reference must • be acknowledged

3. STEPS TO COLLECT DATA REVIEW & COMPILE SECONDARY SOURCE INFORMATION (Referred to in the BACKGROUND/ INTRODUCTION section of report) PLAN & DESIGN DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS TO GATHER PRIMARY INFORMATION (Referred to in the FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS sections of report) DATA COLLECTION DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4. METHODS USED TO COLLECTPRIMARY SOURCE DATA • Interviews • Questionnaires • Survey • Experimentation • Case Study • Observation • However, for a small-scale study, the most commonly used • methods are interviews, survey questionnaires and observations.

5. Effective way of gathering information Involves verbal and non-verbal communications INTERVIEW Can be conducted face to face, by telephone, online or through mail

6. Steps To An Effective Interview Prepare your interview schedule Select your subjects/ key informants Conduct the interview Analyze and interpret data collected from the interview

7. The most common data collection instrument Useful to collect quantitative and qualitative information Survey Questionnaire • Should contain 3 elements: • Introduction – to explain the objectives • Instructions – must be clear, simple language & short • User-friendly – avoid difficult or ambiguous questions

8. Open-ended Questions Free-response (Text Open End) Fill-in relevant information Close-ended Questions Dichotomous question Multiple-choice Rank Scale Categorical Numerical 2 Basic Types of survey questions: Note: For specific examples and students’ activities on each question style, please refer to the notes on Data Collection in the e-learning.

9. Steps To An Effective Survey Questionnaire Prepare your survey questions (Formulate & choose types of questions, order them, write instructions, make copies) Select your respondents/sampling Random/Selected Administer the survey questionnaire (date, venue, time ) Tabulate data collected (Statistical analysis-frequency/mean/correlation/% ) Analyze and interpret data collected A sample of complete survey questionnaire http://www.custominsight.com/demo/form_widgets.rtf

10. Observe verbal & non-verbal communication, surrounding atmosphere, culture & situation Need to keep meticulous records of the observations Observations Can be done through discussions, observations of habits, rituals, review of documentation, experiments

11. Steps To An Effective Observation Determine what needs to be observed (Plan, prepare checklist, how to record data) Select your participants Random/Selected Conduct the observation (venue, duration, recording materials, take photographs ) Compile data collected Analyze and interpret data collected

12. DATA ANALYSIS Summary sheet 1. To analyse data from interviews and observation, use Checklist Manually 2. To analyse data from questionnaires, use SPSS • 3. In a small scale study, the most common forms of statistical • analysis presented are: • Frequency • Mean • Percentage

13. DATA INTERPRETATION • It involves 2 terms • ‘Results’ – presentation of data/findings (statistics) • ‘Discussion’ – interpretation of data/findings • Things to consider when interpreting your data: • Interpret findings based on the purpose and • objectives of your study • Relate the findings to real life context • Use persuasive language to convince your readers • to see the research from your point of view. • Order your interpretation to highlight the most important • findings • Include limitations to your research. • Use simple, clear language