Data Collection

Data Collection involves obtaining relevant information regarding the specified research questions or
objectives. This can be done by utilizing research instruments that are either developed or adopted. In collecting
the data, the researcher must decide on the following questions: (1) Which data to collect? (2) How to collect
the data? (3) Who will collect the data? (4) When to collect the data? (Barrot, 2018, p138).

Quantitative research instruments comprise questionnaires, interviews, tests, and observation. On the other
hand, data collection approaches for qualitative research usually involve: (a) direct interaction with individuals
on a one to one basis, (b) and or direct interaction with individuals in a group setting.

When developing and utilizing a research instrument, the following steps are to be considered:

1. Be clear with your research question.

2. Plan how you will conduct the data collection.
3. Use appropriate research instruments.
4. Collect, tabulate, tally, and analyze the data.
5. Verify the validity and reliability of the collected data.
6. Present your findings.

DATA COLLECTION METHOD

1. Questionnaires 2.Tests 3.Interviews 4. Observations

a. Structured a. Standardized a. Face-to-face a. Controlled
b. Semi-structured b. Non-standardized b. Phone b. Natural
c. Unstructured c. Recall Questions c. Video c. Participant
d. Face-to-face d. Recognition Questions
e. Online e. Open-ended Questions
f. Face-to-face
g. Online

Research Instruments

1. Questionnaires - consists of a series of questions about a research topic to gather data from the
participants. It consists of indicators that is aligned to the research questions. Gathering of information
can be carried out in the following methods: face to face, by telephone, or through e-mail, messenger,
social media post, or using computer programs or forms (Barrot, 2018, p 138).

Advantages of Using Questionnaire

1. Data can be quickly gathered from a big number of participants.
2. The participants are encouraged to be open to the researchers since their identity can be made anonymous.

Disadvantages of Using Questionnaire

1. The questions can be interpreted differently by the participants.
2. Some participants will not be able to complete the required responses.
3. Some questionnaires will not be returned on time.
4. Some questionnaires will be lost.
5. The answers from participants may lack depth.
Guidelines in Using Questionnaires for Data Collection

1. Choose the method of administering the questionnaire.

a. Face-to-face Method. Use this when you need to capture the emotions, behavior, and non-verbal cues of the
participants
b. Online Method. Use this when behavior and non-verbal cues need not to be taken
2. Divide your questionnaire into two or three parts.
a. Personal information. This section which contains background information of the participants. (Names are
optional)
b. Main section. This lists the specific questions or indicators.
c. Open-ended question section. This contains additional information that might be needed. (This applied only
for quantitative research)
3. Make sure to craft questions and choices that are aligned with specific research questions or objectives.
4. Provide specific and clear directions for respondents in answering the questionnaire.
5. Use routing (directing) technique if there is a need to skip some items in the questionnaire.
6. Begin with the general questions first followed by the specific ones.
7. Prefer to have brief, clear, and concise questionnaire. Use simple terms.
8. Predetermined responses or choices should match the nature of the questions.
a. If the content is about belief, use agreement (strongly agree , agree, neutral, disagree, strongly disagree)
b. If the questionnaire is about behavior, use extent (very great extent, great extent, moderate extent, small
extent, none at all)
c. If questions are about frequency, use frequency (always, frequently, sometimes, seldom, never)
d. If the content is about quality, use quality (excellent, very good, good, poor)
Later, these responses will be translated into numerical values (e.g. five-point Likert scale)
9. Avoid negative statements unless necessary.
10. Avoid leading and biased, double-barreled, and very sensitive questions.
11. Do not split the questions or choices over two pages.
12. If possible, schedule an appointment before distributing the questionnaires.
13. Attach a cover letter to the questionnaire especially for agency connected respondents.
14. Make a follow-up on the participants who did not to return the questionnaire.
15. Tally and encode the data immediately once you have collected them and archive them digitally.

2. Tests are used for assessing various skills and types of behavior as well as for describing some
characteristics. There are two types of test used in quantitative research: Standardized test and Non-
standardized test.

Standardized test is scored uniformly across different areas and groups. It is usually administered by
institutions to assess a wide range of groups such as students and test-takers. It is considered as more reliable
and valid. Examples are Achievement test, University Entrance Exam, Personality Tests, and the likes.
Non-standardized test may not be scored uniformly. It is administered to a certain set of people.

Types of Test Questions

1. Recall Questions. It requires participants to retrieve information from memory (e.g. fill-in-the blank test,
identification test, enumeration test, etc.)
2. Recognition Questions. It provides respondents to select from given choices the best or correct choice (e.g.
multiple-choice test, true or false test, yes or no test, etc.)
3. Open-ended Questions. It allows the respondents more freedom in their responses, expressing their thoughts
and insights (e.g. essay writing tests and other performance-based tests
 3. Quantitative interview is a method of collecting data about an individual’s behaviors, opinions, values,
emotions, and demographic characteristics using numerical data.

4. Observation is another method of collecting data that is frequently used in qualitative research.
However, it can be used in quantitative research when the observable characteristics are quantitative in
nature (e.g. length, width, height, weight, volume, area, temperature, cost, level, age, time, and speed)

Forms of Observation
1. Controlled Observation. It is usually used in experimental research and is done under a standard procedure. It
provides more reliable data (obtained through structured and well-defined process). The procedure can be
replicated, and the data are easier to analyze. Lastly, the observer performs a non-participant role (i.e. does not
interact with the participants).

2. Natural Observation. It is carried out in a non-controlled setting. It has greater ecological validity (i.e.
flexibility of the findings to be generalized to real-life contexts). It also responds to other areas of inquiry not
initially intended by the researcher. Its major limitation is its strength to establish a causal relationship due to
the presence of extraneous variables which can affect the behavior of the participants
3. Participant Observation. It allows the observer to become a member of the group or community that the
participants belong to. It can be performed covertly (i.e. participants are not aware of the purpose behind the
observation. It can be done also overtly, wherein participants know the intention or objectives of the
observation

Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations should always be practiced especially when human participants are involved.
Researchers ensure that participants are treated properly; especially during data collection. The use of consent
form respects the right of every participant to be informed and to make voluntary participation.

Informed Consent Form is a document that provides the participants with the information they need in
deciding whether they will participate or not in your study. The informed consent form must be accomplished
before gathering data from the participants. This document must be signed both by the researcher and the
participant as they agree to the conditions during the actual conduct of the data collection process. It usually
contains the following:

1. Background of your study (Title of the Study, Purpose of the Study)

2. Name of Researchers and the Institution you are affiliated with
3. Data Collection Procedure
4. Possible discomfort or risk factors
5. Anonymity of the participants and their responses
6. Termination of Research (may refuse to participate anytime)
7. Authorization of the Participants (participants acknowledge the conditions that they will be subject to the
study)

Techniques in Data Processing

1. Editing is a process wherein the collected data are checked. At this stage, handling data with honesty
should be employed. When you edit it is expected that you will not change, omit, or makeup information
if you think that the data you collected is insufficient or does not meet your personal expectations. The
main purpose of editing is for checking the consistency, accuracy, organization, and clarity of the data
collected. Data editing can be done manually like traditional tallying or with the assistance of a
computer or combination of both.
2. Coding is a process wherein the collected data are categorized and organized. It is usually done in
qualitative research. In quantitative research, coding is done to assign numerical value to specific
indicator especially if it is qualitative in nature. This numerical value will be useful when you are going
to analyze your data using statistical tool. Just make sure that the categories created are aligned with
your research questions. Consider the following example.
3. Tabulation is a process of arranging data. In many studies, table is used to do this process. Tabulation
can done manually or electronically using MS Excel. Again, organize the data based on your research
questions. Before inputting your data into the table, it will be helpful to review your statistics class on
how to arrange data according to the statistical techniques you will use. Take note that the digital tool
you are going to use will also matter on how you are going to tabulate your data; like MS Excel,
Minitab, or other digital tools have different ways of entering your data. Correct arrangement of your
data will be helpful during actual data analysis.

Presentation and Interpretation of Data

The next step after editing, coding, and tabulating the data is to present them into graphical or visual
presentation called non-prose materials. The purpose of presenting the data in this way is to make the outlined
of the results more presentable. Non-prose materials are composed of graphs, bars, tables, charts, diagrams,
illustrations, drawings, and maps.

Tables
Table helps summarize and categorize data using columns and rows. It contains headings that indicate the most
important information about your study.
To interpret the tables, one needs to do the following:
1. Analyze the connections among the details of the headings.
2. Check the unusual pattern of the data and determine the reason behind these.
3. Begin with the table number and the title.
4. Present the significant figures (overall results, high and low values, the unusual pattern).
5. Refrain from repeating again what’s inside the table.
6. Support your findings with literature and studies that confirms or contrasts your results.
7. Establish the practical implications of the results. This will add value to your research findings.
8. End with a brief generalization.