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Data Collection Methods

• Focus on self-reports and surveys.

Self-Report Methods

• Collect data on opinions, attitudes, demographics, and past behaviors.

• Require careful construction to ensure reliability and validity.

Question Construction

• General Guidelines: Questions should be simple and clear.

• Open-ended Questions:

  • Allow flexibility in responses.

  • Example: Describe your morning routine.

  • Benefits include deeper insights; drawbacks involve quantification difficulties.

• Closed-ended Questions:

  • Limited answer choices (yes/no, multiple choice).

  • Example: Did you vote in the last election? Yes/No.

• Partially Open-ended Questions:

  • Include fixed choices with an option for alternative answers.

  • Example: Descriptions of personality traits with an 'Other' option.

• Rating Scale Questions:

  • Assess degree of agreement or applicability (1-5 scale).

  • Easier to analyze statistically.

Important Considerations

• Loaded Questions: Use non-neutral terms that convey bias.

• Leading Questions: Designed to influence responses.

• Double-barreled Questions: Ask for multiple pieces of information in one question.

• Response Bias: Participants might consistently choose the same type of answer (yea-saying or nea-saying).

• Question Arrangement: Should be organized by topic to minimize bias.

Methods of Data Collection

• Mail Surveys:

  • Pros: Less sampling bias, no interviewer bias.

  • Cons: Lower response rates, lengthy process.

• Telephone Surveys:

  • Pros: More likely to achieve representative samples.

  • Cons: Time-consuming, interviewer bias.

• Personal Interviews:

  • Pros: Gather non-verbal cues, more detailed answers.

  • Cons: Time-intensive, potential discomfort for participants.

Sampling Techniques

• Probability Sampling: Each member has an equal chance of selection (random, stratified, cluster sampling).

• Non-probability Sampling: Not all members have an equal chance, often easier and cheaper (convenience, quota sampling).