Data Collection Techniques
In the 21st century, there has been an overall growth in the various sectors of nation-wide growth. For example, businesses have developed new management; health care has developed new technologies that ids in better treatment; education has developed better ways of teaching students, among others. The common denominator to all these factors is that they were initiated through the process of intensive research. According to Harris et al., (2009), research is the systematic process by which an investigation is carried using various sources and materials to establish facts and arrive at new conclusions. However, research cannot be archived without having proper data collection techniques. Data collection can be defined as the process of gathering and analyzing information on the fact being investigated. Data collection is archived through various techniques and methodologies. Depending on the type of research being conducted, the investigator gets to pick for an array of techniques. The methods used to archive this objective include; questionnaires, interviews, observations, among others. In this paper, a review of the three data collection techniques presented, and a suggestion on the best method will be highlighted.
Questionnaires
Questionnaires are probably the main instruments used in data collection. This instrument consists of various questions that follow each other in a series and are used to collect individuals’ responses. The device is used to draw multiple conclusions from the answers provided (Kassam-Adams & Newman, 2002). Questionnaires can be done face-to-face or by printing questions and handing them out or sending them through an electronic platform. Data collection through questionnaires is relatively cheap and quick; analysis and interpretation of the data are easier as the respondents mostly give short and precise answers. Questionnaires also aid in the collection of information from a significant source or audience. For example, when using an online platform to distribute the tool, one can channel it to any person. All that is needed is sending the link to the questions, and after they are done, they can submit their answers. Therefore, questionnaires can be applied to getting information from a wide range of people. Additionally, questionnaires, unlike other methods such as interviews, offer respondent anonymity. When a sheet of questions has been distributed, there is no section on filling in the name of any form of personal identification information. Thus, it can be used as an effective means of data collection.
In spite of the various benefits of using questionnaires, the technique also has its downside. Respondents may provide false and inaccurate information. For example, when handing out the questionnaires, an individual may fill in the answers just to finish up rather than the provision of accurate information. Another limitation is that the answers provided in the technique may be interpreted differently. People always understand something they have read differently; thus, the answers provided may be understood differently by investigators (Epstein, Santo & Guillemin, 2015). Therefore, the technique also has various limitations involved.
Interviews
Another method that is commonly applied in the process of data gathering is the interviews. An Interview is basically a research technique that involves an individual asking questions intending to get various responses and collect data about a particular subject at hand. In an aim to ensuring unbiasedness in the data collected, interviews are conducted to a sample population on how to have similar characteristics but different opinions (Rosenthal, 2016). For example, a meeting can be administered to 100 employees of the same organization to answer the level of motivation provided by the management.
Various types of interviews can be conducted. First, the structured interviews are the type of meeting where an interviewer asks particular questions that had been preset in advance. This means that the candidates are asked the same problem in this type of conversation following the same order. Secondly are the unstructured interviews where there are no particular predetermined questions that are asked. An interviewer asks any problem that comes to mind but always sticks to the same objective. Lastly are the semi-structured interviews; it applies the characteristics of structured and unstructured interviews. They ask various open and closed-ended questions without strictly following a formalized procedure.
Interviews hold various benefits towards data collection; primarily, the technique aids the interviewer to get the tone and attitude of an individual while talking about an absolute fact. Despite selecting the answer, such an attitude in answering the questions asked is also critical in the data collection process. However, interviews can be a bit costly to conduct and time-consuming. Additionally, the interviewee can be biased when talking about a particular factor (Schultze & Avital, 2011). Thus, interviews can be used in data collection, but there are various benefits and limitations associated.
Observation
Furthermore, observation is also another method that can be used in data collection. In this technique, an investigator gathers information and knowledge by actively observing a specific population under study. For example, an investigator may research a particular organizational culture, values, and beliefs. The primary benefit associated with this methodology is that the investigator gets first-hand data about certain factors in play in the study. The information derived is not in any way altered, compromised, or exaggerated. Thus, data extrapolated is accurate on all levels. However, despite this benefit, there is a significant limitation in that the specific population may behave in a particular manner that causes data inaccuracy (Phan, Siegel & Wright, 2005). For example, in such an organization, employees may act professionally, suggesting no faults at all, but in real life, this behavior is just pretense.
Preferred Technique
In my perspective, I would use questionnaires in the process of conducting data collection. I somewhat view this method as two in that; the technique encompasses the practice of the basic questionnaires and interviews. Research also involves the use of funds and resources; thus, due to questionnaires’ nature, there is a minimal cost incurred. Additionally, there is more available data analysis and examination offered by this method. Thus, there is no need for sophisticated data analysis tools and software. Hence, in my opinion, the use of questionnaires will be the best technique to apply in the process of data collection.
In conclusion, research is a daily task that involves developing new and improved methods of living life. However, this is not archived without effective data collection techniques. Examples of such methodologies include the use of questionnaires, interviews, and observation. It must be noted that these methodologies have different advantages and disadvantages. Hence, depending on the type of research being conducted, the investigator should choose the best methods according to their preferences and choice.
References
Epstein, J., Santo, R., & Guillemin, F. (2015). A review of guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of questionnaires could not bring out a consensus. Journal Of Clinical Epidemiology, 68(4), 435-441. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2014.11.021
Harris, P., Taylor, R., Thielke, R., Payne, J., Gonzalez, N., & Conde, J. (2009). Research electronic data capture (REDCap)—A metadata-driven methodology and workflow process for providing translational research informatics support. Journal Of Biomedical Informatics, 42(2), 377-381. doi: 10.1016/j.jbi.2008.08.010
Kassam-Adams, N., & Newman, E. (2002). The reactions to research participation questionnaires for children and for parents (RRPQ-C and RRPQ-P). General Hospital Psychiatry, 24(5), 336-342. doi: 10.1016/s0163-8343(02)00200-1
Phan, P., Siegel, D., & Wright, M. (2005). Science parks and incubators: observations, synthesis and future research. Journal Of Business Venturing, 20(2), 165-182. doi: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2003.12.001
Rosenthal, M. (2016). Qualitative research methods: Why, when, and how to conduct interviews and focus groups in pharmacy research. Currents In Pharmacy Teaching And Learning, 8(4), 509-516. doi: 10.1016/j.cptl.2016.03.021
Schultze, U., & Avital, M. (2011). Designing interviews to generate rich data for information systems research. Information And Organization, 21(1), 1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.infoandorg.2010.11.001