Research Methodology Part 7: Data Collection Methods and Techniques
(2007) Research Methodology Part 7: Data Collection Methods and Techniques. Library Instructional Material.
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Abstract
This presentation material in PowerPoint is the seventh of an eleven-part package designed and used regularly for teaching research methodology particularly to students and research scholars of Library and Information Science. There is a wide array of methods and techniques available for collection of research data. Judicious selection of one or more methods considering factors like suitability to the problem, available resources, kind of data required to be produced and the level of precision required is necessary. It is often said that the common sense is the chief requisite and experience; the chief teacher in deciding on data collection method.
Any readily available data collected by some one else for other purpose has to be used ensuring reliability, suitability and adequacy. Often historical research, bibliometric studies, use studies, meta analysis, content analysis, etc. depend heavily on secondary data. For primary data, which is more important and reliable, than secondary data, one has to resort to standard methods like examination of records and relics, observation, interview, questionnaire, etc. In such cases researcher has to collect primary data afresh by either experimenting, examining and observing the subjects and records or by asking/ questioning orally/ in writing the concerned people like subjects, experts and others. While asking people, problems may emanate from (i) those who answer because of awareness, irrationally, inadmissibility, self incrimination and politeness, (ii) those asking because of very presence and disclosure of identity and background of research and/or respondents, (iii) the ways of asking/questioning people like the language and tone, length of questionnaire, time required to answer, ambiguities, embarrassing questions, illogical sequence, unspoken assumptions, etc. In addition, disinterestedness, prejudices, prestige bias, ignorance, misunderstanding, etc on the part of respondents are other problems to be taken care. There are many practical hints that need to be carefully planned before data collection.
Other techniques of data collection like panel studies, diaries, summary reports and solution development records, projective techniques, snowball technique, network analysis, socio metric analysis and use of mechanical devices used either as part of chosen method or as an adjunct method, as well as critical incidence technique, longitudinal design, etc. which are like normative principles are discussed.
Discusses pilot study which can tryout methods and techniques chosen for main data collection, estimate time, resources and expertise required, detect flaws, weaknesses and ambiguities, help to know in advance the kind of data likely to result.
Earlier parts are accessible at:
Part 1: http://eprints.rclis.org/archive/00009276/
Part 2: http://eprints.rclis.org/archive/00009533/
Part 3: http://eprints.rclis.org/archive/00010170/
Part 4: http://eprints.rclis.org/archive/00010879/
Part 5: http://eprints.rclis.org/archive/00010880/
Part 6: http://eprints.rclis.org/archive/00010881/
| Keywords: | Research; LIS; Research methodology; Data collection methods, Research tools and techniques, Pilot survey, Pretest of tools, |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | A. Theoretical and general aspects of libraries and information. > AZ. None of these, but in this section. |
| ID Code: | 11775 |
| Deposited By: | Sridhar, M S |
| Deposited On: | 24 October 2007 |
| All fields: | Show all fields |
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