Data Sources and Collection

Sources of Data

DATA SOURCES

PRIMARY METHODS SECONDARY METHODS

INTERNAL EXTERNAL

Fully Need Further Published Electronic Syndicated

Processed Analysis Database Sources
 Levels of Information

Primary Secondary Tertiary

Sources Sources Sources
• Memos • Encyclopedias • Indexes
• Letters • Textbooks • Bibliographies
• Interviews • Handbooks • Internet
• Speeches • Magazines • search engines
• Laws • Newspapers
• Internal records • Newscasts
 Classification of Data

• Primary data is original, problem or project specific and

collected for the specific objectives and needs spelt out by the
researcher. The authenticity and relevance is reasonably high.

• Secondary data is information that is not topical or research

specific and has been collected and compiled by some other
researcher or investigative body. It is recorded and published in
a structured format.
 Conducting Literature Search

Define management dilemma

Consult books for relevant terms

Use terms to search

Locate/review secondary sources

Evaluate value of each source and

content
 Information Sources

Indexes/
Bibliographies

Directories Dictionaries

Types

Handbooks Encyclopedias
Evaluating Information Sources

Purpose

Format Scope
Evaluation
Factors
Audience Authority
 Internal Data Sources
Company Records: historical as well as current manufacturing
information, process and policy documents
Employee Records: demographic data sets, performance appraisals &
grievance data
Sales Data: cash register receipts, salespersons call records, sales
invoices and sales reports
Other Sources: customer databases, CRM data, warranty records, etc.
 External Data Sources
Published Data: data that is in on public domains, which could be
compiled by public or private sources

Government Sources: census data, other documented and available

government publications

Other Data Sources: essentially non-government sources like books,

periodicals, guides and directories, Indices and standardized non-
government statistical data
Management-Research Question Hierarchy
 Qualitative Research

Group
Focus Groups
Interviews

Observation IDIs
Data
Collection
Ethnography Techniques Case Studies

Action Grounded
Research Theory
 Qualitative Research in Business

•Job Analysis •Retail Design

•Advertising Concept •Process Understanding
Development •Union Representation
•Productivity •Market Segmentation
Enhancement
•Sales Analysis
•New Product
Development
•Benefits Management
 Roots of Qualitative Research

Qualitative
Research

Economics

Psychology
Sociology
Semiotics

Anthropology

Communication
Distinction between Qualitative & Quantitative

Theory Theory
Building Testing
 Qualitative Vs. Quantitative
Research stage Qualitative Quantitative

Study objective Exploratory, investigative Definite, conclusive and

predictive
Research design Loosely structured Structured, controlled
conditions
Sampling plan Small samples Large/representative samples

Type of approach Loosely structured Formatted & structured

Data analysis Textual and non-statistical Statistically tested and

authenticated
Study deliverables Explanatory and supportive Conclusive and action
oriented
The Interview Question Hierarchy
 Interviewer Responsibilities

• Recommends topics • Develops pretasking

and questions activities
• Controls interview • Prepares research tools
• Plans location and • Supervises
facilities transcription
• Proposes criteria for • Helps analyze data
drawing sample • Draws insights
• Writes screener • Writes report
• Recruits participants
 Interviewer Formats

Unstructured

Semi-structured

Structured
Requirements for Unstructured Interviews

Developed Dialog

Probe for Distinctions Interviewer

Answers Creativity

Interviewer Skill
 The Interview Mode

Individual Group
 Individual vs. Group
Individual Interview Group Interview
• Explore life of individual in depth • Orient the researcher to a field of inquiry and the
• Create case histories through repeated language of the field
Objective
Research

interviews over time • Explore a range of attitudes, opinions, and

• Test a survey behaviors
• Observe a process of consensus and disagreement
• Detailed individual experiences, • Issues of public interest or common concern
Concerns

choices, biographies • Issues where little is known or of a hypothetical

Topic

• Sensitive issues that might provoke nature

anxiety
• Time-pressed participants or those • Participants whose backgrounds are similar or not so
difficult to recruit (e.g., elite or high- dissimilar as to generate conflict or discomfort
Participants

status participants) • Participants who can articulate their ideas

• Participants with sufficient language • Participants who offer a range of positions on issues
skills
• Participants whose distinctions would
inhibit participation