Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (University of the City of Manila) Intramuros, Manila

College of Tourism, Hotel and Travel Industry Management

WRITTEN REPORT: DATA COLLECTION AND TECHNIQUES

Submitted to: Mr. Marlon M. M. Rivera

In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the subject Research Methods I

By: Abalos, Eugene Cleofas Anonical, Alecxandria Patricia Ibaez, Esperanza Abigail

BSTTM IV-2 August 23, 2013

DATA COLLECTION AND TECHNIQUES

The primary goal of any researcher is to collect data that are meaningful and necessary to achieve the purposes of his/her study. Many of the techniques in collecting data depend largely on the quality of the measurement of the instrument that will be employed in the research process. The significance of the research paper or the entirely, for that matter can be put to waste if the instrumentation is questionable. Three most commonly used techniques of data collection: 1. Direct observation 2. Questioning method (three interviews and questionnaires) 3. Measurement or scaling techniques METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION A. DATA OBSERVATION This is one of the basic approaches in gathering information. The researcher witnesses the event in the natural setting and thus, gives a firsthand account of the event. The person is not mediated by other persons who have witnessed the event, as in normally the case in interviews and questionnaires where the personal experience of respondents is communicated to the researcher. Information about the behavior of people and objects can be observed, these are: a.) Physical Attributes b.) Expressive Behaviors c.) Verbal Behavior d.) Temporal Behavior e.) Special Relationships and Locations f.) Physical Objects Important points to remember in recording the behavioral patterns of object, people, or phenomena are: 1. Observation techniques can be employed in any type of research design that meets certain conditions. 2. Observation activities may be appropriately used to collect and describe a wide behavioral data. Types of Direct Observation 1. STRUCTURED OBSERVATION The variables or factors for the study are more delineated. The researcher has a clear idea of what factors to study and in what context or event this will be observed. The role of the researcher is to ascertain some key points of issues in conducting observation on the following:

a.) Observation b.) Participants to be observed c.) Event to be observed d.) How the variable(act) is being measured Direct observation may also be combined with other techniques of data collection particularly interviews and focus group discussions. 2. UNSTRUCTURED OBSERVATION This is more flexible than structured observation for it lacks specificity in the variables for the study. This is very helpful if the study is still in the exploratory phase and the researcher has not yet decided on the variables to be investigated. The focus of observation under this type includes setting, participants, social behavior manifested, and frequency or duration of the behavior. Advantages and Disadvantages of Observation Method Advantages of the observation method are: 1.) Observation is the only method available to gather certain types of information. The study of records, mechanical processes, and young children, as well as other inarticulate participants fall into this category. 2.) Original data can be collected at the time they occur. Researchers do not need to depend on the reports of others. 3.) Researchers can secure information that most participants would ignore either because it is so common and expected or because it is not seen as relevant. 4.) It can capture the whole event as it occurs in its natural environment alone. 5.) Participants seem to accept an observational intrusion better than they respond to questioning. Disadvantages of the observation method are: 1.) Observation is a slow and expensive process that requires either human observers or costly surveillance equipment. 2.) Most reliable results are restricted to information that can be learned by overt action or surface indicators. 3.) The research environment is more likely suited to subjective assessment and recording of data than controlling and quantifying of events. 4.) Observation is limited as a way to learn about the past. It is difficult to gather information on topics such as: intentions, attitudes, opinions or preferences. Nevertheless, any consideration of the merits of observation confirms its value use with care and understanding.

Tools for Observation 1.) The Tally Sheet or Checklist This form describes the behavior to be observed by the researcher in considerable detail to allow him in tallying and checking the behavior of the participant/respondent whenever it occurs. 2.) The Observation Rating Scale This describes the desired behavior desired to be observed with the corresponding scale on each item. B. THE QUESTIONING TECHNIQUE This method is most effectively used on the survey approach. This will be more reliable if the questions are structured beforehand and if the sample of questions prepared are representative enough of all the questions needed for the research problem. This structure will be more advantageous to the researcher since he/she does not need to worry about following up the questions asked. Criteria of an Effective Question 1.) Clarity of Language - Language structure and the conceptual level of the question should suit the level of respondents. 2.) Specificity of Content and Time Period - The language used may be clear and appropriate but this may have questions which may be ambiguous and confusing to the respondents. 3.) Singleness of Purpose - A single question should seek a single answer. 4.) Freedom from Assumption and Suggestion through Questions - Questions should not give ungiven questions. 5.) Freedom from Suggestions - Good questions should be carefully constructed to reduce if not eliminate suggestions from others.

METHODS and TOOLS for QUESTIONING I. INTERVIEW Two-way conversation initiated by an interviewer to obtain information from a participant. A. Types of Research Interview 1. Standardized Interview - Set of questions formulated in a standardized way, as in questionnaires. - Utilizes an instrument called Interview Schedule; used in well- structured types of research problems where the variables are delineated. - applicable to quantitative type of research

2. Unstructured Interview - freedom to pursue unanticipated topics or directions to arise - utilizes an instrument called Interview Guide; asking a set of questions derived by the interviewer from a list of key topics or guides - applicable to qualitative type of research B. 3 Techniques of Communicating in an Interview 1. Personal Interview e.g.

(Hand Respondent Card. Please look at this card and tell me the letters that indicate what toppings, If any, you usually add to a pizza other than cheese when ordering a pizza for yourself from Pizza Hut.)
Interviewer: Record all mentioned toppings by encircling the letter below, and make sure you probe for any other toppings: a. anchovies c. barbecue beef b. bacon d. black olives f. green olives e. extra-cheese g. green peppers i. ham h. ground beef j. hot peppers l. onions k. mushroom m. pepperoni o. some other toppings: ______ n. sausage

2. Telephone Interview e.g. I am going to read to you a list of pizza toppings. As I read each one, please tell me whether or not that topping is one that you usually add to a pizza when ordering a pizza for yourself from Pizza Hut. Interviewer: Read each topping category slowly and record all mentioned toppings by encircling their corresponding letter below, and make sure that you probe for any other toppings. b. anchovies d. black olives g. green peppers j. hot peppers m. pepperoni c. bacon e. extra-cheese h. ground beef k. mushroom n. sausage d. barbecue beef f. green olives i. ham l. onions o. some other toppings: ___

3. Self- Administered Interview e.g. Among the pizza toppings listed below, what toppings, If any, you usually add to a pizza other than cheese when ordering a pizza for yourself from Pizza Hut. Please check as many boxes as applicable: anchovies black olives green peppers hot peppers pepperoni bacon extra-cheese ground beef mushroom sausage barbecue beef green olives ham onions some other toppings: ______

II.

QUESTIONNAIRE A set of questions asked in standardized manner to each participants or respondents and the researcher asks only questions that are listed in the interview guide. FORMS OF QUESTION 1. OPEN ENDED FORMAT - In this format, the respondents are allowed to answer any questions they wish to answer based on their understanding - The advantage of this format is the high probability that the respondents will think of a more authentic answer to the question at hand rather than choosing from a set of responses pre-determined by researcher. 2. MULTIPLE CHOICE FORMAT - This type represents a question which is followed by set of options pre-determined by researcher or based on a survey. - This format is extremely a structured type. 3. CHECKLIST FORMAT -In this format, a questionnaire is considered as totally structured format which is used exclusively or with some use of a free-response opinion.

RULES IN THE FORMULATION OF QUESTIONS 1. The purpose must be clearly stated in the instrument formulated. 2. Directions of how to answer the questions must be clear. The Instructions

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

The questions must be clear and not ambiguous. A question should cover only one topic at a time. Respondents must be in a position to answer the questions. Avoid influencing respondents to answer in a particular way. Avoid posing embarrassing questions. Arrange questions in a logical order. The items in the instrument must cover all the variables incorporated in the research proposal. 10. Do not forget to translate the instrument into the dialect the respondents are familiar with. PRE-TESTING THE INSTRUMENT Pre-test is a dry-run of the instrument to be used. Pre-testing can indicate whether the questions are understood by the respondents. It can also help to determine whether the questions are posed in such way that respondents are not turned off.

According to Bautista (1998), faulty structuring of questions in the instruments should result to: Dont know responses. Refusal to answer. Irrelevant answers. DEVELOPMENT OF COVER LETTERS Cover Letter or Letter of Introduction is a restrictedly viewed as a letter accompanying a selfadministered questionnaire that serves to explain the nature of the survey. ROLES OF COVER LETTER 1. Introducing the respondents to the research project and the researcher. 2. Informing the respondent of the importance of the study. 3. Communicating the studys legitimacy and other particulars such as the deadline for returning the completed survey, and where to return it. GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING COVER LETTERS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Personalization Identification of the organization doing the study Clear statement of studys purpose and importance Anonymity and confidentiality General frame of doing study Reinforcement of the importance of the respondents participation