Research Methodology DATA COLLECTION

By Palwasha Shah Student of M. Phil- English

submitted to Prof. Dr. Wazim

Department of English

TABLE OF CONTENTS:INTRODUCTION. DEFINITION.. NEED FOR DATA COLLECTION. EXPLANATION FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE DAA COLLECTION.. VERTICAL DATA. HORIZONTAL DATA.. TYPES OF DATA PRIMARY DATA.. SECONDARY DATA. COLLECTION OF DATA COLLECTION OF PRIMARY DATA.. TYPES OF PRIMARY DATA.. COLLECTION OF SECONDARY DATA.. TYPES OF SECONDARY DATA.. THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING ACCURATE AND PROPER DATA

INTRODUCTION DEFINITION:Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test hypothesis, and evaluate outcomes.

NEED OF DATA COLLECTION:Data collection is needed to get information for analysis and get idea about real time situation. Data collection is also needed for comparisons between two situations.

EXPALNATION:It is common to all fields of study that includes physical and social sciences, humanities, business etc. Various methods of collecting data are employed by social scientists. It is an important aspect of any type of research study. Here we will discuss the varied dimensions relevant to data generation and attempt to arrive at an abstract typology involving stimuli, responses and setting for data collection. The task of data collection begins after a research problem has been defined and research design /plan chalked out. It is often formalized through a data collection plan which often contains the following activity. Pre collection activity - agree on goals, target data, definitions, methods Collection - data collections Present Findings - usually involves some form of sorting analysis and/or presentation.

Before any data collection, it is important to perform pre collection activity. It is one of the most important and crucial steps in the process. After re collection activity is fully completed, data collection in the field can be carried out in a structured, systematic and scientific way. A formal data collection process is necessary as it ensures that data gathered are both defines and accurate and that subsequent decisions based on arguments embodied in the findings are valid. The process provides both a baseline from which to measure and in certain cases a target on what to improve.

FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED BEFORE DATA COLLECTION:

There are some of the factors that are needed to be considered. Object and scope of the enquiry

Sources of information. Quantitative expression. Techniques of data collection. Unit of collection. Time

It is important for the researcher to know the difference between vertical and horizontal data. VERTICAL DATA: If the data is collected in a descending order that is from top to bottom for example from university to college to school. This data is known to be vertical data. HORIZONTAL DATA:When the data collected is equal that is it is collected from the same level it is known as horizontal data. To collect data, researchers make use of a number of different data collection strategies. This data is collected from two main sources.

TYPES OF DATA: 1) PRIMARY DATA:

Primary data are collected for the specific research problem at hand, using procedures that fit the research problem best. The data is collected afresh and for the first time and thus happen to be original in character and known as Primary data. The data is collected by the researcher himself and it is originated by the researcher to address the research problem. It is very fundamental, original, new, basic, initial, in which work has not been done before. Data collected may be used for:1. The description of contemporary and historical attributes 2. Comparative research or replication of the original research 3. reanalysis (asking new questions of the data that were not originally addressed) 4. research design and methodological advancement 5. teaching and learning

Data sets collected by university based researchers are often archives by data archives; these are organizations set up chiefly for the purpose of releasing and disseminating secondary data to the general research community.in addition to universities, other organizations such as national and regional statistical institutions also collect data.

2) SECONDARY DATA:
For some social research questions, it is possible to use data collected earlier by other researchers or for other purposes than research, such as official statistics, administrative records, or other accounts kept routinely by organizations. Any type of primary data can serve as secondary data. Are those which have been collected by someone else and which have already been passed through the statistical process are known as Secondary data. These are usually in journals, publications; official records etc.it may be available in published and unpublished form. When it is not possible to collect data by primary method, the researcher go for secondary data.

COLLECTION OF DATA:COLLECTION OF PRIMARY DATA:There are several methods of collecting primary data, particularly in surveys and descriptive researches. In descriptive research, we obtain primary data either through observation or through direct communication with respondents in one form or another or through personal interviews. For the successful collection of data under this method, its necessary that the investigator should be polite, unbiased and ware of the local conditions, environment and languages. One major primary data collection strategy is the experiment. In an experiment, the researcher has full control over who participates in the experiment.

TYPES OF PRIMARY DATA: Primary data are mainly four categories: 1. Observatory data 2. Experimental data (a)Primary experimental data Field experiment Laboratory experiment Field laboratory Example: Agricultural research. Internal laboratory Example: Biochemical research. (b)Secondary experimental data

3. Primary research data 4. Secondary or Review research data COLLECTION OF SECONDARY DATA: These are already available i.e. they refer to the data which have already been collected and analyzed by someone else. Secondary data may either be published or unpublished data. Researcher must be very careful in using secondary data, because the data available may be sometimes unsuitable. Using secondary data presents researchers with a number of characteristic problems. First, researchers must locate data sources that may be useful given their own research problem. Second, they must be able to retrieve data. Third, it is important to evaluate how well the data meet the quality requirements of the current research and the methodological criteria of good scientific practice. TYPES OF SECONDARY DATA: Secondary data are mainly two categories:

Observatory data: The data which is gathered or collected by different or any kind of observation is known as Observatory data. There is no exact information.
For giving the qualitative data we need this kind of data. Example: Bad smell, color etc. of water.

Experimental data:
The data which is gathered by any types of experiment is known as Experimental data. There is exact information. For giving quantitative data we need this kind of data. Example: Comparing the nutrient level and test of any fruit, BOD, COD, PH etc. test of water

THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING ACCURATE AND APPROPRIATE DATA COLLECTION:Inaccurate data can impact the results of a study and ultimately lead to invalid results. Thus it is important to ensure honest and accurate data collection Regardless of the field of study or preference for

defining data (quantitative, qualitative), accurate data collection is essential to maintaining the

integrity of research. Both the selection of appropriate data collection instruments (existing, modified, or newly developed) and clearly delineated instructions for their correct use reduce the likelihood of errors occurring. Consequences from improperly collected data include

inability to answer research questions accurately inability to repeat and validate the study distorted findings resulting in wasted resources misleading other researchers to pursue fruitless avenues of investigation compromising decisions for public policy causing harm to human participants and animal subjects

While the degree of impact from faulty data collection may vary by discipline and the nature of investigation, there is the potential to cause disproportionate harm when these research results are used to support public policy recommendations. The primary rationale for preserving data integrity is to support the detection of errors in the process whether deliberate falsifications or systematic or random errors. Most of the time two approaches are implemented to preserve data integrity and ensure the scientific validity of study results. Each approach is implemented at different points in the research timeline (Whitney, Lind, Wahl, 1998):
1. Quality assurance - activities that take place before data collection begins 2. Quality control - activities that take place during and after data collection

Each field of study has its preferred set of data collection instruments. The hallmark of laboratory sciences is the meticulous documentation of the lab notebook while social sciences such as sociology and cultural anthropology may prefer the use of detailed field notes. Regardless of the discipline, comprehensive documentation of the collection process before, during and after the activity is essential to preserving data integrity.

REFRENCES Whitney, C.W., Lind, B.K., Wahl, P.W. (1998). Quality assurance and quality control in longitudinal studies. Epidemiologic Reviews, 20(1): 71-80. Sorting Data: collection and analysis By Anthony Peter Macmillan Coxon Kothari C. R Research & Methodology edition, Wishwa Prakashan