grp5 wr.docx

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Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila

(University of the City of Manila)

Intramuros, Manila

College of Tourism, Hotel and Travel Industry Management

WRITTEN REPORT: DATA COLLECTION AND TECHNIQUES

Submitted to:

Mr. Marlon M. M. Rivera

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the subject

Research Methods I

By:

Abalos, Eugene Cleofas

Anonical, Alecxandria Patricia

Ibaez, Esperanza Abigail

BSTTM IV-2

August 23, 2013


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DATA COLLECTION AND TECHNIQUES

The primary goal of any researcher is to collect data that are meaningful and necessary

to achieve the purposes of his/her study. Many of the techniques in collecting data depend

largely on the quality of the measurement of the instrument that will be employed in theresearch process. The significance of the research paper or the entirely, for that matter can be

put to waste if the instrumentation is questionable.

Three most commonly used techniques of data collection:

1. Direct observation

2. Questioning method (three interviews and questionnaires)

3. Measurement or scaling techniques

METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

A. DATA OBSERVATIONThis is one of the basic approaches in gathering information. The researcher witnesses

the event in the natural setting and thus, gives a firsthand account of the event. The person is

not mediated by other persons who have witnessed the event, as in normally the case in

interviews and questionnaires where the personal experience of respondents is communicated

to the researcher.

Information about the behavior of people and objects can be observed, these are:

a.) Physical Attributes

b.) Expressive Behaviors

c.) Verbal Behaviord.) Temporal Behavior

e.) Special Relationships and Locations

f.) Physical Objects

Important points to remember in recording the behavioral patterns of object, people, or

phenomena are:

1. Observation techniques can be employed in any type of research design that meets

certain conditions.

2. Observation activities may be appropriately used to collect and describe a wide

behavioral data.

Types of Direct Observation

1. STRUCTURED OBSERVATION

The variables or factors for the study are more delineated. The researcher has a clear

idea of what factors to study and in what context or event this will be observed. The role of the

researcher is to ascertain some key points of issues in conducting observation on the following:


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a.) Observation

b.) Participants to be observed

c.) Event to be observed

d.) How the variable(act) is being measured

Direct observation may also be combined with other techniques of data collection

particularly interviews and focus group discussions.

2. UNSTRUCTURED OBSERVATION

This is more flexible than structured observation for it lacks specificity in the variables for

the study. This is very helpful if the study is still in the exploratory phase and the researcher has

not yet decided on the variables to be investigated. The focus of observation under this type

includes setting, participants, social behavior manifested, and frequency or duration of the

behavior.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Observation Method

Advantages of the observation method are:

1.) Observation is the only method available to gather certain types of information. The

study of records, mechanical processes, and young children, as well as other

inarticulate participants fall into this category.

2.) Original data can be collected at the time they occur. Researchers do not need to

depend on the reports of others.

3.) Researchers can secure information that most participants would ignore either

because it is so common and expected or because it is not seen as relevant.

4.) It can capture the whole event as it occurs in its natural environment alone.5.) Participants seem to accept an observational intrusion better than they respond to

questioning.

Disadvantages of the observation method are:

1.) Observation is a slow and expensive process that requires either human observers

or costly surveillance equipment.

2.) Most reliable results are restricted to information that can be learned by overt action

or surface indicators.

3.) The research environment is more likely suited to subjective assessment and

recording of data than controlling and quantifying of events.

4.) Observation is limited as a way to learn about the past. It is difficult to gather

information on topics such as: intentions, attitudes, opinions or preferences.

Nevertheless, any consideration of the merits of observation confirms its value use

with care and understanding.


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Tools for Observation

1.) The Tally Sheet or Check list

This form describes the behavior to be observed by the researcher in considerable detail

to allow him in tallying and checking the behavior of the participant/respondent whenever it

occurs.

2.) The Observation Rating ScaleThis describes the desired behavior desired to be observed with the corresponding scale

on each item.

B. THE QUESTIONING TECHNIQUE

This method is most effectively used on the survey approach. This will be more reliable

if the questions are structured beforehand and if the sample of questions prepared are

representative enough of all the questions needed for the research problem. This structure will

be more advantageous to the researcher since he/she does not need to worry about following

up the questions asked.

Criteria of an Effective Questio n

1.) Clarity of L anguag e

- Language structure and the conceptual level of the question should suit the level of

respondents.

2.) Specific ity of Con tent and Time Period

- The language used may be clear and appropriate but this may have questions which

may be ambiguous and confusing to the respondents.

3.) Singleness of Purp ose

- A single question should seek a single answer.

4.) Freedom from Ass ump tion and Suggestion throug h Questions

- Questions should not give ungiven questions.5.) Freedom from Suggestions

- Good questions should be carefully constructed to reduce if not eliminate suggestions

from others.

METHODS and TOOLS for QUESTIONING

I. INTERVIEW

Two-way conversation initiated by an interviewer to obtain information from a

participant.

A. Types of Research Interview

1. Standard ized Interview

- Set of questions formulated in a standardized way, as in questionnaires.

- Utilizes an instrument called Interview Schedule; used in well- structured

types of research problems where the variables are delineated.

- applicable to quantitative type of research


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2. Unstructu red Interview

- freedom to pursue unanticipated topics or directions to arise

- utilizes an instrument called Interview Guide; asking a set of questions

derived by the interviewer from a list of key topics or guides

-applicable to qualitative type of research

B. 3 Techniques of Communicating in an Interview

1. Person al Interview

e.g.

2. Telepho ne Interview

e.g.

(Hand Respondent Card. Please look at this card and tell me the letters that indicate

what toppings, If any, you usually add to a pizza other than cheese when ordering a

pizza for yourself from Pizza Hut.)

Interviewer: Record all mentioned toppings by encircling the letter below, and make

sure you probe for any other toppings:a. anchovies

d. black olives

g. green peppers

j. hot peppers

m. pepperoni

b. bacon

e. extra-cheese

h. ground beef

k. mushroom

n. sausage

c. barbecue beef

f. green olives

i. ham

l. onions

o. some other toppings: ______

I am going to read to you a list of pizza toppings. As I read each one, please

tell me whether or not that topping is one that you usually add to a pizza when

ordering a pizza for yourself from Pizza Hut.

Interviewer: Read each topping category slowly and record all mentioned toppings

by encircling their corresponding letter below, and make sure that you probe for any

other toppings.

b. anchovies

d. black olives

g. green peppers

j. hot peppers

m. pepperoni

c. bacon

e. extra-cheese

h. ground beef

k. mushroom

n. sausage

d. barbecue beef

f. green olives

i. ham

l. onions

o. some other toppings: ___


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3. Self- Admin istered Interview

e.g.

II. QUESTIONNAIREA set of questions asked in standardized manner to each participants or

respondents and the researcher asks only questions that are listed in the interviewguide.

FORMS OF QUESTION

1. OPEN ENDED FORMAT

- In this format, the respondents are allowed to answer any questions they wish to

answer based on their understanding

- The advantage of this format is the high probability that the respondents will think of

a more authentic answer to the question at hand rather than choosing from a set of

responses pre-determined by researcher.

2. MULTIPLE CHOICE FORMAT

- This type represents a question which is followed by set of options pre-determined

by researcher or based on a survey.

- This format is extremely a structured type.

3. CHECKLIST FORMAT

-In this format, a questionnaire is considered as totally structured format which is

used exclusively or with some use of a free-response opinion.

RULES IN THE FORMULATION OF QUESTIONS

1. The purpose must be clearly stated in the instrument formulated.

2. Directions of how to answer the questions must be clear.The Instructions

Among the pizza toppings listed below, what toppings, If any, you usually

add to a pizza other than cheese when ordering a pizza for yourself from Pizza Hut.

Please check as many boxes as applicable:

anchovies

black olives

green peppers

hot peppers

pepperoni

bacon

extra-cheese

ground beef

mushroom

sausage

barbecue beef

green olives

ham

onions

some other toppings: ______


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3. The questions must be clear and not ambiguous.

4. A question should cover only one topic at a time.

5. Respondents must be in a position to answer the questions.

6. Avoid influencing respondents to answer in a particular way.

7. Avoid posing embarrassing questions.

8. Arrange questions in a logical order.9. The items in the instrument must cover all the variables incorporated in the research

proposal.

10. Do not forget to translate the instrument into the dialect the respondents are familiar

with.

PRE-TESTING THE INSTRUMENT

Pre-testis a dry-run of the instrument to be used.

Pre-testingcan indicate whether the questions are understood by the respondents. It

can also help to determine whether the questions are posed in such way that

respondents are not turned off.

According to Bautista (1998), faulty structuring of questions in the instruments should

result to:

Dont know responses.

Refusal to answer.

Irrelevant answers.

DEVELOPMENT OF COVER LETTERS

Cover Letter or Letter of Introdu ctionis a restrictedly viewed as a letter accompanying a self-

administered questionnaire that serves to explain the nature of the survey.

ROLES OF COVER LETTER

1. Introducing the respondents to the research project and the researcher.

2. Informing the respondent of the importance of the study.

3. Communicating the studys legitimacy and other particulars such as the deadline for

returning the completed survey, and where to return it.

GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING COVER LETTERS

1. Personalization

2. Identification of the organization doing the study

3. Clear statement of studys purpose and importance

4. Anonymity and confidentiality

5. General frame of doing study

6. Reinforcement of the importance of the respondents participation

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