How to collect risearch data ?

Methods of data collection

Observation
Interviewing
Mail survey
Experimentation
Simulation and
Projective technique.
 Data and Data Collection
Fundamentally--2 types of data

Quantitative Numbers, tests, counting, measuring

Qualitative Words, images, observations,

conversations, photographs
 Data Collection Techniques
Observations,
Tests,
Surveys,
Document analysis
(the research literature)
Independent Variable: The variable in the study
under consideration. The cause for the outcome
for the study.

Dependent Variable: The variable being

affected by the independent variable. The
effect of the study
 What Makes a Good Quantitative
Research Design?

4 Key Elements

1. Freedom from Bias

2. Freedom from Confounding
3. Control of Extraneous Variables
4. Statistical Precision to Test Hypothesis
Bias: When observations favor some individuals
in the population over others.

Confounding: When the effects of two or more

variables cannot be separated.

Extraneous Variables: Any variable that has an effect

on the dependent variable.

Need to identify and minimize these variables.

e.g., Erosion potential as a function of clay content. rainfall intensity,
vegetation & duration would be considered extraneous variables.
 Precision versus accuracy

"Precise" means sharply defined or measured.

"Accurate" means truthful or correct.

 Overall Methodology How to collect
data
* State the objectives of the survey
* Define the target population
* Define the data to be collected
* Define the variables to be determined
* Define the required precision & accuracy
* Define the measurement `instrument'
* Define the sample size & sampling method,
then select the sample
 Sampling
Distributions:
When you form a sample you often show it by a
plotted distribution known as a histogram .

A histogram is the distribution of frequency of

occurrence of a certain variable within a
specified range.
 Interpreting quantitative findings

Descriptive Statistics : Mean, median, mode,

frequencies

Error analyses
DATA COLLECTION AND THE
RESEARCH PROCESS

Data collection supplies the critical link between theory and practice
Data collection is a consideration for each phase of the research
process
Phase 1: Problem area and research question
Phase 2: Research design
Phase 3: Data analysis
Phase 4: Writing the report
 Quantitative Methods

Experiment: Research situation with at

least one independent variable, which is
manipulated by the researcher
Where do data come from?

Weve seen our data for this lab, all nice and collated in a
database from: :
data from laboratory experiment ,
BSN ( Badan Statistik Nasinal ) ,
Department , Industry ??
Where do data come from?

Take a step back if were starting from scratch,

how do we collect / find data?
Secondary data
Primary data
Secondary Data

Secondary data data someone else has collected

This is what you were looking for in your
assignment.
Secondary Data Examples of Sources

County health departments

Vital Statistics birth, death certificates
Hospital, clinic, school nurse records
Private and foundation databases
City and county governments
Surveillance data from state government
programs
Primary Data

Primary data data you collect

Primary Data - Examples

Surveys
Focus groups
Questionnaires
Personal interviews
Experiments and observational study
Primary Data - Limitations

Do you have the time and money for:

Designing your collection instrument?
Selecting your population or sample?
Pretesting/piloting the instrument to work out sources
of bias?
Administration of the instrument?
Entry/collation of data? Experiment data laboratory
Primary Data - Limitations

Uniqueness
May not be able to compare to other populations
Primary Data - Limitations

Researcher error
Sample bias
Other confounding factors
Data collection choice

What you must ask yourself:

Will the data answer my research question?
Data collection choice

To answer that
You much first decide what your research question is
Then you need to decide what data/variables are needed to scientifically
answer the question
Data collection choice

If that data exist in secondary form, then use them to the extent you
can, keeping in mind limitations.
But if it does not, and you are able to fund primary collection, then it
is the method of choice.