Data Collection Methods PDF

Methods of data collection Alshimaa Hosseny Alshimaa Teaching Hosseny assistant Teaching Faculty assistant of Medicine ArishFaculty of Medicine University Arish University  Objectives 1. Define data collection met...

Methods of data collection Alshimaa Hosseny Alshimaa Teaching Hosseny assistant Teaching Faculty assistant of Medicine ArishFaculty of Medicine University Arish University  Objectives 1. Define data collection methods 2. Define data extraction form 3. Define the interview technique 4. Describe the questionnaire design  Types of data Primary data: Secondary data collected afresh already collected and for the first by someone else time, passed through original in the statistical character. process or not. The research tool provides the input into a study; therefore, the quality and validity of the output (the findings) are solely dependent on it.  Guidelines to Construct a Research Tool: To ensure the validity of your instrument by making sure that your questions relate to the objectives of your study. Step I: Clearly define and individually list all the specific objectives or research Questions for your study. Step II: For each objective or research questions, list all the associated questions That you want to answer through your study. Step III: Take each research question listed in step II and list the information required to answer it. Step IV: Formulate question(s) to obtain this information. Important data collection techniques For secondary data: Using available information /Data extraction form For Primary data 1. Observing method 2. Interviewing method 3. Questionnaires  Using available information Data already collected by others, Not analyzed, not published. Secondary analysis e.g., Analysis of information routinely collected by health facilities, (disease occurrence, the flow of patients, mortality rates)  Advantages: Disadvantages: Inexpensive, Not always easily accessible. Examine trends. Ethical issues concerning confidentiality Information may be imprecise or incomplete. Observation Method Systematically selecting, watching, and recording behavior and characteristic of living beings, objects or phenomenon. No personal contact Interviewing ( face to face) Oral questioning of respondents, either individually or as a group. Recording all answers to the questions by: - Writing it down (during the interview or immediately after it) - Recording the responses. - Schedule/ checklist.  Types of Interview High degree of flexibility Low degree flexibility  Advantages Disadvantages 1. Conducted irrespective of 1. lack of confidentiality the literacy level of the and trust interviewee. 2. Interviewer bias 2. Higher response rate (interviewer should be 3. Decrease the number of neutral) don’t know or no answers 3. Difficult to approach 4. Guard against confusion some individuals questions 4. Difficult field 5. Observe as well as ask organization. questions 5. Time-consuming, 6. Control which person(s) will 6. very expensive answer the questions. Self administrated questionnaires [SAQ] A written questionnaire The respondents is requested to complete the questionnaire in his/her own time or place. Disseminated by: 1. post with clear instructions on how to answer the questions and asking for mailed responses. 2. Gathering all or part of the respondents in one place at one time, giving oral or written instructions, and letting the respondents fill out the questionnaires. 3. Hand-delivering to respondents and collecting them later. 4. E-mail or the Web, follow up mailings.  Advantages Disadvantages 1. Cost-effective and easy 1. Low response rate: 2. Familiar to most people especially if questionnaire 3. Reduce the interviewer’s is too long, complicated, bias subject is not interesting to the respondent, subject is 4. More suitable for sensitive sensitive nature. questions 2. The researcher does not 5. Respondents can complete have control over who fills it at a time and place. in the questionnaire. Guides to questions constructions Types of questions 1- Open- ended questions 2- Closed questions  1- Open-ended questions: Permit free response ( respondent’s own words) Obtain information about opinions, attitudes, and sensitive issues. More than one answer is usually allowed. Advantages: Disadvantages: Explore issues not planned, Need skilled O btain in-depth information interviewers Spontaneous information more Analysis is time- valid than answers suggested in consuming & options. requires Respondent’s own words add questions coding interest in the final report and experience.  Closed questions A list of options provided by the researcher The respondent must select one answer Not feel obliged to select more than one The researcher may ask for multiple answers ( difficult in analysis) Keep the number of options as few as possible. Types Two-Choice Questions (yes/no question) Multiple Choice and Checklist Questions Rating scale questions  Likert scale How satisfied are you with patients’ care in governmental hospitals? Very satisfied Satisfied Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied What is your opinion on the following statement: health worker did medical error should be punished 1. Strongly agree 2. Agree 3. Not sure/no opinion 4. Disagree 5. Strongly disagree Advantages: Save time Disadvantages: Comparing responses of different groups, or of the same group Respondents may choose over time, becomes options not represent easier. themselves Important information may be missed if it is not asked Respondents may lose interest  Sequencing of questions 1) Logical sequence as much as the natural discussion 2) background questions: to a minimum. 3) Start with an interesting questions 4) At the beginning: Simpler questions, e.g demographic 5) Sensitive questions: as late as possible 6) Questions should not be repetitive 7) Use simple everyday language 8) Make the questionnaire as short as possible  Ordering questions Appearance of questions affect answers given to subsequent ones Several questions ask about the risk of AIDS epidemic The following question open, ask about the most severe epidemics in the world, AIDS will recieve more citations. Randomization of questions : probably strike the responded as chaotic and worthless  Formatting the questionnaire A heading A space to insert the number, date, location of interview, name of the informant Name of the interviewer, to facilitate quality control Instructions: Brief directions regarding filling up the questionnaire. Questions belonging together appear together visually subheadings for groups of questions Sufficient space to answer open ended questions Boxes for pre-categorized answers Boxes for computer codes Attractive: physical appearance, quality of the paper, color.  Instructions General: Clear instructions and introductory comments If questionnaire is arranged into content subsections- introduce each section with a short statement concerning its content and purpose. Short introductions: Help make sense out of the questionnaire. Timing Specific instructions: To facilitate proper answering If you want a single answer, make this perfectly clear in question If you ask rank order, different type of answer form should be used ( e.g blanks instead of box)  Translation If interviewer will be conducted in one or more local languages, translate the questionnaire to standardize the way questions will be asked. Pilot test/ Pretest the questionnaire Testing the questionnaire before you administer it will help you to check find out If participants understand the questions, If questions show the same mean to all participants, If you get with the data you need, how long it takes to complete. Test your questionnaire with a small group who are like your intended participants.  Ethical standards The rights of respondents to 1. Decide to complete the questionnaire 2. Withdraw from the study at any time 3. Not coerced into providing information, especially sensitive or incriminating 4. Get the assurance that their responses will remain anonymous and will be always treated as confidential