Methods of Data Collection
• Survey Methods
Self-Administered Questionnaires
Interviews
• Methods of Observation
Non-Participant Observation
Participant Observation
Systematic Observation
Unobtrusive Data Gathering Techniques
• Accretion Measures
• Available Materials -- and Content Analysis
Methods of Analysis
Qualitative Analysis
• Emphasis on description, meaning,
• Historical Analysis
• Comparative Analysis
• Content Analysis (mixed method)
themes
MEASUREMENT AND QUESTIONNAIRE CONSTRUCTION:
SOME PRINCIPLES FOR ASKING QUESTIONS.
• Questions vs. statements (e.g., likert scale type items).
• Open-ended vs. closed-ended questions.
• Make items clear. (Pretest the questionnaire to
test for clarity of questionnaire items.)
• Avoid Double-Barreled Questions.
•Respondents Must Be Competent to Answer.
•Questions Should be Relevant.
•Short Items Are Best
•Avoid Negative Items.
•Avoid Biased Items and Terms.
MEASUREMENT
•Single vs. Multiple Indicators
•Reliability and Validity
QUESTIONNAIRE FORMAT
•Formats for Responses
ORDERING OF THE QUESTIONS
FACTORS AFFECTING THE RESPONSE RATE
OF MAIL SURVEYS
SOME QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK WHEN
UNDERTAKING SOCIAL RESEARCH:
! What is (are) your research question(s)? (Be as precise as
possible.)
! What are the key variables you need to collect information
upon? (A measurement question.)
!
What do you expect to find? (What is your hypothesis?)
! How will you test your hypothesis(es)? (How will you address
your research question)?
! How will you measure the variables you have decided to
examine? (This involves the issue of operationalization.)
! What is the best method for collecte data to address your
research question? (Is survey research the best way of answering
your question? This is a research design question.)
! Are there possibilities to use triangulation? (Can you
collect data thru multiple methods; e.g., in addition to some form
of survey research, can you make direct observation, use
available data, can you engage in other forms of unobtrusive data
collection).
! What is the unit of analysis you are interested in? (E.g.,
individuals, groups, provinces).
! What population are you interested in generalizing to?
(This is a different question than the previous one.)
! What is your sampling frame?
!
What type of sampling procedure do you intend to employ?
! What is your response rate?
!
Is the main purpose of your research descriptive or explanatory?
!
How will you analyze your data?
!
Will you be doing univariate, bivariate, or multivariate analysis?
!
What relevant sub-groups should you consider in your analysis?
!
What comparison data is available.
! Are your findings mainly applied, or are there broader
social trends, or theoretical explanations that may be relevant to
consider?
!
How will you present your findings?
Quantitative Analysis
Secondary Analysis
• Statistical Analysis of Primary Data
Some Statistical Measures
• Central Tendency: mean, median, mode
• Measures of Variability or Dispersion:
range, standard deviation, interquartile
range
• Measures of association: chi square,
Pearson's correlation