Exploring Different Data Collection Methods †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Exploring Different Data Collection Methods. Answer: Introduction The current study elucidates in detail different methods of acquiring data that are applied by social scientists. The present study discusses different dimensions pertinent to generation of data and attempt to arrive at a conceptual typology involving specific stimuli, reactions and surroundings for collection of data. However, the job of collection of data necessarily begins after presenting proper definition of research problem and chalking out of the research design. Different categories of data There are two different types of data namely primary data and secondary data. Anderson et al., (2014) pinpoint that primary data are those first hand data that are acquired directly from the field of study. Therefore, these data seems to be original in nature and are referred to as primary data. On the other hand, secondary data refers to those data that have been acquired by some other individual and have already been passed through different statistical procedures. Acquirement of Primary and Secondary Data As rightly mentioned by Baltagi (2015), there are numerous methods of acquiring primary data, specifically in diverse surveys as well as descriptive researches. In essence, in case of descriptive research, primary data is obtained either by means of observation or by means of direct communication with specific respondents in a specific form or another else wise by means of personal interviews. Berger (2013) asserts that secondary data are already available and they refer to those data that have already been acquired as well as evaluated by someone else. () pinpoint the fact that the Secondary data might be either published or else unpublished data. Fundamentally, scholars as well as researchers need to be very careful in utilizing secondary data, as the data available might be sometimes inapt. Mechanisms of Collection of Data: Primary data As rightly indicated by Bryman Bell (2015), in general there are diverse mechanisms of collection of primary data. However, each mechanism has both relative merits as well as demerits. Therefore, investigators have the need to select a specific method for collection of information. Essentially, the choice of collection of primary data to a large extent relies on diverse preliminaries to collection of data and some of the commonly utilized mechanisms include direct personal observation, indirect oral interviews, mailed questionnaire mechanism, schedule method and from regional agents. Direct Personal Observation Direct personal observation can be considered to be a very general mechanism for collection of primary data. In this case, the investigator institutes contacts directly with different informants, solicits their collaboration and gauges the entire data (Burr, 2014). Essentially, this mechanism is utilized in studies related to behavioural science. Observation in actual becomes a scientific mechanism and method for collection of data in different ways mentioned below: Structured and Unstructured Observation When a specific observation is featured by careful definition of specific units to be witnessed style of spectator, states of observation and selection of relevant data of observation can be considered as structured observation (Gacula Jr, 2013). Participant Observation and Disguised Observation At the time when the observers make themselves known to people whom they track can be regarded as participant observation (Gacula Jr, 2013). In case if an observer witnesses in such a manner that the existence remains unknown to people the observer is witnessing can be termed as disguised observation. Controlled and Uncontrolled observation In case if the observation occurs in a natural surrounding it is an uncontrolled observation, however, at the time when observation occurs as per pre-determined plans, counting experimental processes, it can be regarded as controlled observation (Gacula Jr, 2013). Indirect Oral Interviews As correctly mentioned by Granger (2014), indirect oral interviews refer to an indirect mechanism of acquiring primary data. In this case, information are not essentially acquired directly from the source but by process of interviewing individuals closely associated to the problem. As such, these mechanisms can be implemented for the purpose of apprehension of diverse culprits involved in cases of theft, murder and many others. The information related to ones personal life something which informants hesitate to disclose is collected in a better way through this method. In this case, the investigator prepares a small list of questions related to the enquiry and the responses are acquired by interviewing individuals well connected with the incident. Essentially, the investigator needs to cross examine all the informants to acquire appropriate information. In essence, this mechanism can be considered to be time saving and engages comparatively lower amount of cost. The precision of the acquired information largely relies upon the integrity of the examiner (Hair, 2015). Mailed Questionnaire Mechanism As rightly corrected by Hanushek Jackson (2013), mailed questionnaire mechanism can be considered to be an effective method for collection of primary data. In this case, important information is acquired by researchers through a specific questionnaire. A questionnaire is necessarily a document prepared by the examiner containing a specific set/group of questions. Essentially, these questions can be associated to the query either directly or else indirectly. In this case, for better reaction the examiner need to bear the postal charges. Success of this mechanism essentially relies upon the manner in which the questionnaire is drafted. Thus, the examiner needs to be very watchful at the time of framing questions of the questionnaire. In a way, the questions need to be very clear and precise, not many in number, simple and comprehensible, corroboratory in characteristics, impersonal and non-aggressive and multiple choice else wise open ended. Schedule Method: Newbold et al., (2012) find out that informants are mostly uneducated and non-responsive data cannot be acquired by the mailed questionnaire mechanism. Essentially, in this type of cases, schedule method can be utilized to acquire data. As such the questionnaires are sent via the enumerators to acquire information. Basically, enumerators are individuals appointed by the investigator for carrying out the function of data collection. The enumerators directly meet the target informants with the survey questionnaire illustrate the overall scope and aim of the enquiry to all the target informants and solicit co-operation. From Regional Agents On occasions primary data are necessarily acquired from regional agents else wise other correspondents. In this case, these agents are necessarily hired by diverse sponsoring authorities. In a way, they are also well conversant with the regional state of affairs such as language, mode of communication, food habits, trends and traditions among many others (Ott Longnecker, 2015). In essence, this mechanism is normally utilized by diverse government agencies, periodicals as well as newspapers among many others to acquire data. Mechanisms of Collection of Data: Secondary data A learner can acquire secondary data from different sources. In essence, secondary data might either be published or else unpublished data. As mentioned by Anderson et al., (2014), published data can be obtained from publications of governing bodies, technical as well as trade journals, reports of different businesses as well as banks, various public records in addition to statistical or else historical documents. However, unpublished data might be found in letters, diverse unpublished biographies else wise work and diaries and many others. Conclusion The above mentioned study helps in understanding different categories of data and specific processes of acquirement of primary and secondary data. Essentially, this study helps in understanding the overall nature, scope as well as object of inquiry of different methods of collection of data. References Anderson, D. R., Sweeney, D. J., Williams, T. A., Camm, J. D., Cochran, J. J. 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