RESEARCH INSTRUMENT | DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES

Summary

This video provides an in-depth guide for student researchers on data collection and research instruments. It covers essential data collection techniques, including interviews, surveys, and observations, and explores traditional and modern methods. The video highlights the importance of choosing the right research instrument, whether it be questionnaires, interviews, or documentary analysis, and outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each method. It also offers insights on creating your own research instruments and offers valuable tips for effective data collection, making it a must-watch for students embarking on research projects.

Takeaways

• 😀 Data collection is a vital and primary step in any research, which involves measuring and analyzing data to validate hypotheses.
• 😀 Research instruments are tools used to collect, measure, and analyze research data, such as questionnaires and surveys.
• 😀 There are two main categories of data collection techniques: traditional and modern methods.
• 😀 Traditional data collection techniques include in-person interviews and phone surveys, both having distinct advantages and challenges.
• 😀 In-person interviews provide in-depth data but can be time-consuming and expensive, while phone surveys are more cost-effective but may face limitations in self-administration.
• 😀 Modern data collection techniques such as online surveys and virtual interviews are cost-effective and can reach a broader audience but may be limited by internet access and security concerns.
• 😀 Interviews are the most commonly used data collection method, with structured, semi-structured, and unstructured interview formats.
• 😀 Focus group discussions (FGDs) are a variant of interviews, often conducted with 5-10 participants to gather shared insights and opinions.
• 😀 Documentary analysis is a technique that involves analyzing secondary data from existing records or documents to inform research studies.
• 😀 Observations are a key data collection technique, enabling researchers to capture ongoing behavior and conditions in a non-intrusive manner. It can be structured or unstructured based on the study's needs.
• 😀 Questionnaires, whether structured or unstructured, are widely used as they can yield honest and confidential responses, minimizing biases in data collection.
• 😀 Physiological and psychological tests are specialized data collection techniques that measure physical and psychological data from subjects, such as body temperature or personality traits.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of data collection in research?

Data collection is the procedure of collecting, measuring, and analyzing accurate insights for research. It enables researchers to evaluate their hypotheses and is often the most important step in any research study.

How is a research instrument defined?

A research instrument is a tool used to collect, measure, and analyze data for a research study. Examples include questionnaires, interview schedules, observation guides, and psychological tests.

What are the two general classifications of data collection techniques?

Data collection techniques are classified into traditional techniques, such as in-person interviews and phone surveys, and modern techniques, such as web or online surveys and virtual interviews.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of in-person interviews?

Advantages include in-depth data and high confidence in accuracy. Disadvantages are that they are time-consuming, expensive, prone to errors, and limited in reach.

What distinguishes structured interviews from unstructured interviews?

Structured interviews follow a specific sequence and set of questions, while unstructured interviews are more like free-flowing conversations. Semi-structured interviews allow for additional probing questions for depth.

What is documentary analysis and when is it used?

Documentary analysis involves analyzing primary or secondary sources such as school records, church documents, or government reports. It is used when the required data is already available in existing records.

What are the key considerations when conducting an observation?

Researchers should consider the focus of observation, whether it is concealed, the duration, and the method of recording. Observations can be structured using checklists or unstructured without preconceived expectations.

What is the difference between structured and unstructured questionnaires?

Structured questionnaires provide predefined answers for respondents to select, while unstructured questionnaires allow respondents to freely express their own answers.

What are physiological measures and what tools are commonly used?

Physiological measures involve collecting physical data from subjects, which is considered accurate and objective. Tools include thermometers, stethoscopes, weighing scales, and thermal scanners.

What are psychological tests and how are they applied in research?

Psychological tests include personality inventories and projective techniques. Personality inventories assess traits, needs, or values through self-reported measures, while projective techniques use ambiguous stimuli to explore the subject's perceptions or feelings.