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Research strategies & Methods of data collection

Research strategies & Methods of data collection. Survey Questionnaire s. The survey strategy. Focuses on a given population (via sampling) What, who, where, how much, how many? Mostly exploratory, descriptive; but can also suggest models, relationships, possible reasons

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Research strategies & Methods of data collection

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  1. Research strategies &Methods of data collection Survey Questionnaires

  2. The survey strategy • Focuses on a given population (via sampling) • What, who, where, how much, how many? • Mostly exploratory, descriptive; but can also suggest models, relationships, possible reasons • Survey using questionnaires are popular: • can provide standardized, quantitative data • from a sizeable population • the per data (or per respondent) cost is very low • allows easy comparison • in general it is perceived as authoritative • relatively easy to understand & explain

  3. The survey strategy • Provides relatively strong control over the research process • Can provide representative results (is the sampling is adequate) • Pilot study is necessary • Allows inependent research (it is your data) • Primary data collection methods: • Questionnaires • Structured observations • Structured interviews

  4. Questionnaires

  5. Questionnaire • A method of data collection in which each respondent answers the same questions in a predetermined order.

  6. Questionnaires • The use of questionnaires is overrepresented among data collection methods • Good for descriptive and explanatory (and not for exploratory) research • Works best with standardised questions (interpreted on the same way by all respondents) • Can be used as the only method, but works better in combination with qualitative techniques • Limitations: • Limited number of questions • Threat: creating a wrong one

  7. Types of questionnaire Self-completed: • Internet questionnaires: • on-line, off-line • web, mobile • available population? • visual appearance can vary by screens • Postal questionnaires • Delivery and collected questionnaires Interviewer-completed: • Telephone questionnaires • Face-to-face questionnaires (= structured interviews?)

  8. How to choose? • Characteristics of the prospective respondents • Importance of reashing a particular respondent • Importance of avoiding contamination and distortion • Size of sample needed • Types of question • Number of questions • Available resources (feasibility)

  9. Improving response rates for postal questionnaires • Incentives: monetary, sent with questionnaire • Length: shorter • Appearance: brown envelope, colored ink • Delivery: recorded delivery, stamped return envelope • Contact: pre-, follow-up • Content: interesting/relevant, user friendly language, behavioral and demographic questions only (no attitude questions) • Origin: university sponsorship • Communication: explanation for not-participating requested, anonimity stressed

  10. Steps of questionnaire data collection • Concept of the research: definitions, population, research question etc. • Design • Pilot testing • Amendment • Sampling • Delivering • Coding • Entering data (typing) • Preparation for analysis • Analysing

  11. Types of items (individual questions) • Open: • Numbers • Text: • Words • Senteces • Longer text • Semi-closed • Eg.: closed + „other:….” • Closed

  12. Types of closed questions • List questions: • Binary (eg. yes/no) • Select one • Select more • Category questions • Ranking questions • Rating questions (eg. Likert-format): • Agreement • Amount • Frequency • Likelihood • Etc. • Semantic differential • Matrix questions

  13. Combining items into one variable • Indices: A type of composite measure that summarizesand rank-orders several specific observationsand represents some more-general dimension. • Scales: type of composite measure composedof several items that have a logical or empiricalstructureamong them. • Likert-scale: weightedbytheaverageacceptance of otherscale-items • Bogardus-scale: increasingintesity(accepting a more intensepresumetheacceptance of the less intense) • Thurstone-scale: weightsassignedby an expert-team • etc. • Typologies: The classification (typically nominal) ofobservations in terms of their attributes on two ormore variables.

  14. Testing scales • Validity and reliability tests • Face validity • Unidimensionality • Variance • Examination of empirical relationships • Cronbach’s alpha (testing the reliability) • What to do with missing data?

  15. Constructing the questionnaire • Made or use? • Order of the questions • Visual presentation • Cover letter or welcome screen • Introduction text • Closing • Contacts

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