In this section you must write a detailed description that states exactly how and where the data for a project was collected. It is important to remember that the research is seeking to answer a problem that the student has identified. Hence, in order to help the student to answer the research problem, data must be carefully collected and studied.
Data can be collected in a number of different ways. The particular method chosen for data collection will vary and depends on what type of data the student is looking for. The following are a few different methods that can be used to collect data:
(a) THE
QUESTIONNAIRE In this method, the student gives the respondents written questions on a
question sheet. The questions are standardized which means that all the respondents must answer the same set of
questions. This method is an inexpensive way to collect data from a
large number of persons. It also allows for collecting data easily without
revealing the respondent’s identity.
However, some disadvantages of using questionnaires are: • Respondents are sometimes not
motivated to answer all the questions. • If some responses are confusing, they
are usually difficult to clarify. • Sometimes questionnaires are not returned
on time.
(b) PERSONAL
INTERVIEWS Here, the student can structure some questions that he or she wants to be answered.
The student can then question
respondents and record the answers on a sheet. In this method, the
student has the flexibility
to probe the respondents in order to clarify answers and ask follow
up questions.
However, since the student is face to face with the respondent, this may cause discomfort to the respondent and he or she may not answer truthfully. In addition, the personal nature of the interview may cause the student to ask subjective questions that could lead the respondent in a particular direction.
However, since the student is face to face with the respondent, this may cause discomfort to the respondent and he or she may not answer truthfully. In addition, the personal nature of the interview may cause the student to ask subjective questions that could lead the respondent in a particular direction.
(c) OBSERVATION
Without conducting interviews the student can integrate into a population and quietly record data on
it. This data can then be studied in order to make inferences about the population.
Note, that in this method of data collection, the student will have no control over the group
that is going to be observed.
(d) EXAMINATION
OF RECORDS The student can seek permission to peruse records, reports, statements and regulations in order to
collect data on a particular group. However, the disadvantages of this method
are: • It can take a long
time to sort and collect data from reports and records. • The student may not
understand the data from the records and arrive at faulty conclusions.
VARIABLES
Remember, that a research investigates the relationship between variables. A
variable is any factor that
has a quantity or quality that can change.
For example: • A dependant variable is a variable that can change based on the impact of another variable. • An independent variable is a variable that affects a dependant variable which can cause it to contribute to a problem.
For example: • A dependant variable is a variable that can change based on the impact of another variable. • An independent variable is a variable that affects a dependant variable which can cause it to contribute to a problem.
For example,
in this sample project: Service at the cafeteria is
an independent variable that can impact on the waiting time for the service.
Waiting time is the dependant variable. When collecting data for a project it
is good practice to identify the different types of variables.
For example,
in this sample project the method of data collection could read as follows:
The method of data collection chosen was personal interviews.
“A form class was selected from each year group from
Forms 1 to 5. The names of all the students from each class were placed into
five (5) separate boxes. Each box was shaken and then the names of twenty (20)
students were randomly selected from each box. This created a sample size of one hundred (100) students
for the purpose of the research.”
The one hundred (100) students were then each asked the standardized
question: “How long
did you spend waiting in line for service at the school’s cafeteria during the
lunch break?”
The data was collected from Monday to Friday, over a one week period. Permission to survey
the students during the period immediately after the lunch break was granted by
my teacher.
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