DATA COLLECTION

METHODS

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 Topics
• Types of Data
– What are Data?
– Classifications of Data
o Cross-sectional Data
o Time Series Data
o Panel Data
• Methods of Collecting Information
– Secondary Research
– Survey Research
– Experimental Research

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 Types of Data
What is data?
• Data refer to the available raw information
gathered through interviews, questionnaires,
observations, or secondary databases.

 By organizing the data in some fashion, analyzing

them, and making sense of the results, we may find
answers to questions we seek to address.

 The type of the data we have determines the type of

analytical technique (statistical or econometric model)
we should apply

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 Classification of Data
• Data are classified into the following:
A. Cross-sectional data
B. Time series data
C. Panel data

A. Cross-sectional data
– Usually contain independent observations

– Exclude time factors or contains no element of time

factors, and hence is named spot data

– Are analyzed through static models such as

regression models, qualitative models and
simultaneous models.

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B. Time series data
– Usually contain inter-dependent observations

– Includes time factors or patterns

– Are analyzed through time series models,

e.g.,
• Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average
(ARIMA),
• Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA),
• lag or dynamic models

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C. Panel data

– Hybrid of cross-sectional and time-series

– Repeated data collection on the same

observation over similar time period

– Are analyzed using panel data models, e.g.,

fixed and random effect models

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 Methods of Collecting Information
• The method of data collection in research is
determined by the purpose/objectives of the study,
use of research results and available resources.

• Combination of methods is used since there is

usually a set of objectives which require a combination
of techniques.

• There are three basic data collection approaches in

social research:

A. Secondary Research;
B. Survey Research; and
C. Experimental Research.

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A. Secondary Research

What are secondary data?

• Secondary data were collected for some purpose other than

helping to solve the current problem, whereas primary data
are collected expressly to help solve the problem at hand.

 Survey data are secondary data if they were collected earlier for
another study and primary data if they were collected for the
present study.

• Secondary data could be

 Internal – generated within the organization

 External – generated by outside organizations

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• Potential secondary sources of information:
– Weather reports - rainfall, temperatures
– Soil maps - soil types, aerial photographs (natural
vegetation)
– Population Census reports
– National Sample Survey of Agriculture
– Famine Early Warming Systems (FEWS) Publications
– Food Security and Nutrition Bulletins
– Economic Reports
– Statistical Yearbooks
– Integrated Household Surveys
– World Bank Annual Reports
– UNDP Human Development Reports
– FAO Food Production and Consumption Surveys
– Research reports

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• In using the secondary data, one has to look
at these aspects:

1. Accuracy and reliability - should be checked

by comparing data from different secondary
sources;

2. Adequacy of the data - e.g. is the rainfall data

daily, weekly, monthly or annual; and

3. Time period - recent data is more suitable.

Socioeconomic secondary data that are more
than 5 years old should be verified.

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B. Survey Research
• This is a systematic collection of information directly from
respondents who are a sample/portion of the entire
population.

• Survey research may be grouped into:

a) Telephone Interviews - collection of information from

respondents via telephone;

b) Mail Interviews - collection of information from respondents via

mail or similar technique, e.g., email; and

c) Personal Interviews - collection of information in a face-to-

face situation:
i. Key informant interviews;
ii. Group interviews/Focus Group Discussions;
iii. Exploratory/informal/reconnaissance survey; and
iv. Formal or verification survey.
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i. Key Informant Interviews

– Individuals knowledgeable about certain subjects or

topics are asked to supply information using a
checklist.

– Interviewee does not answer about oneself but the

subject in which he/she is an expert or has very good
knowledge.

– Quality of information can be verified by interviewing

two key informants about the same subject.

– If it becomes obvious that the selected person is not

knowledgeable enough, tactfully terminate interview &
select another key informant.

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• Consider the following factors in selecting
a key informant:
– the person must have lived in the village/area
for a number of years;
– the person must be the one making decisions
in his/her household;
– the person must be knowledgeable about
other households in the area;
– the person should be literate and intelligent;
and
– the person should be co-operative.

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ii. Group Interviews
• Group interviews are useful for tapping the
collective wisdom or memory of a community.

• Researcher should have a clear idea of the issue

to be resolved and be able to guide or direct the
discussion but not restrict it (requires some skills).
 Use checklist.

• Group interviews are ideal for:

– questions related to a phenomenon which uniformly
affects all farmers;
– controversial issues or complex issues, e.g., which
are not clear from an exploratory survey.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Group Interviews

Advantages Disadvantages
• More detailed and • Difficult to organize
accurate information group
• Exciting • Group composition
• Security may not be
representative
• Efficient
• Dominating
individuals
• Cultural constraints

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Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)

• Special type of group interviews normally to cover specific

topic

• Use checklist of issues/questions to guide discussions

• Team composition:
– Moderator – conversant with the issues to guide discussions;
– Two rapporteurs – to take notes; and
– Monitor – to observe how discussions are conducted.

• Group composition:
– 15-20 individuals
 Women only
 Men only
 Youth

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FGDs (cont’d)
• Venue – conducive to relaxed interaction, avoid disturbances.

• Never take sides or say your opinion to avoid influencing

members.

• Conclude by summarizing main issues discussed (one

rapporteur) to ensure correct information is collected.

• Close with friendly farewell remarks & acknowledgement of

members’ input.

• Duration: 45 min – 1 hour.

• Team meets at the end of day to agree what has come out of
the discussion and produce report.

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iii. Exploratory Survey
• Survey undertaken without formal sampling procedures,
pretested questionnaire and other means that permit
statistical analysis.

• Main objective is to provide basic information required for the

design and execution of the formal survey

• General features:
– Physically tough;
– Requires mental and methodological flexibility;
– Information collected is mostly qualitative;
– Use checklist to collect information;
– Team effort –multidisciplinary participation and maximum
interaction;
– It is an art – no substitute for experience; and
– Information could be supplemented by key informant and group
interviews.

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iv. Formal (Verification) Survey

• Use formal methods of collecting information:

 Collect information about a population by

interviewing a random sample of the population;

 Use standardized semi-structured questionnaire

– interviews conducted in a uniform way by trained
enumerators who ask questions in the same way
using a pretested written questionnaire; and

 Responses are tabulated, studied and analyzed.

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Formal Survey (cont’d)

• Specific Objectives:

1. To verify information obtained from exploratory

survey;

2. To test hypotheses;

3. To quantify parameters; and

4. To enhance credibility (this is formal method of

collecting information)

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 Advantages and Disadvantages of
Informal Methods
Advantage Disadvantages:
Depth 1. Analysis
– dig deeper and get richer – Hard to compare &
understanding of issues aggregate results
than formal interviews – Difficult to conduct
statistical analysis
 more appropriate for 2. Interviewer skill
studying complex – Interviewing skill
issues particularly
attitudes. – Intelligence
– Understanding & tact
– Deeper knowledge
3. Interviewer bias

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