1. DATA COLLECTION
METHODS IN
QUANTITATIVE
RESEARCH-AN OVERVIEW
BY
Mrs.Manoranjitham.S
Professor in Nursing
College of Nursing
CMC,Vellore-4

2. DEFINITION :Data Collection Method is
Gathering of informatin to address a
research problem.
DIMENSIONS:
1.Structure
2.Quantifiability
3.Researcher obtrusiveness
4.Objectivity

3. STRUCTURE
 Structured plan indicates what information is to
be gathered and how to gather it
 Most self administered questionnaires are highly
structured
 SAQ-include fixed set of questions to be
answered in a specified sequence and with
predesignated response options (agree or
disagree)

4. Quantifiability
 Data that will be subjected to statistical analysis
must be gathered in such a way that they can be
quantified
 For statistical analysis variables must be
quantitatively measured

5. Researcher Obtrusiveness
 Data collection methods differ in the degree to
which people are aware of their status as
participants
 People’s role in the study(behaviour and
responses may not be normal)
 Researcher should make an effort to put
participants at ease

6. Objectivity
 It refers to the degree to which two independent
researchers can arrive at similar scores or make
similar observations regarding the concepts
 Some research problems require a higher degree
of objectivity than others

7. Major Types
 Self Reports
 Observation
 Biophysiologic Measures
 Research question may dictate which specific
method to use

8. I. Self Reports
 Most widely used method
 For quantitative study always use a formal, written
instrument
 Vast majority of nursing studies involve data collected
by self-report
 Using self reports researcher can gather retrospective
data about activities and events occurring in the past
 Instruments-Interview schedule and Self administered
questionnaire

9. Types of self reports
SAQ
Set of questions in which the wording of both questions
and response alternatives is predetermined
Interview schedule
When questions are asked orally in either face-face or
telephone interviews

10. Questions
 Structured instruments
 Set of questions in which the wording of both
questions and response alternatives is
predetermined
 Two types-Open ended and closed ended

11. Open ended questions
 Allow respondents to respond in their own
words (eg.)
 What was the biggest problem you faced after
your surgery?
 Interviewers are expected to quote responses
verbatim or as closely
 Adequate space must be provided

12. Closed ended questions
 Are also called fixed alternative questions
 It offers respondents alternative replies from
which subjects choose the one that most closely
matches the appropriate answer
 Good closed ended items are often difficult to
construct but easy to administer and analyze
 Preferred by respondents who are unable to
express verbally

13. Advantages of questionnaire
 Distribution-mail, person and internet
(economical)
 Cost-less, requires less time and energy,
distribution is inexpensive, more diverse sample
can be obtained
 Anonymity is complete
 No interview bias

14. Advantages of interviews
 Response rates are high
 Audience-many people cannot fill questionnaire
 Clarity-offer protection against ambiguous or confusing
questions
 Depth of questioning is more
 Missing information is not there
 Researcher has the control over the order of questions
 Sample control-in tented respondents can be contacted
 Supplementary data-additional data through
observation

15. II.Observation
 Involves systematic selection, observation and
recording of behaviours,events and settings relevant to
a problem under study
 General issues;
1.characteristics and conditions of individual
2.activities and behaviour
3.skill attainment and performance
4.verbal communication
5.non verbal communication
6.environmental characteristics

16. Types of observation
 Check list-it is the instrument observer use to
record observed phenomena
 Rating scales-rate a phenomenon along a
descriptive continuum (e.g.) passive/aggressive

17. III.Biophysiologic measures
 Used to assess the physiologic status of study
participants
 Purpose:
1.basic physiologic process
2.Physiologic outcomes of nursing care
3.Evaluation of nursing interventions
4.Product assessment
5.measurement and diagnosis improvement
6.Studies of physiologic correlates

18. Types of Biophysiologic measure
 In vivo measurement- Performed directly in or
on living organisms e.g. BP,oxygen
saturation,body temperature
 In vitro measurements-performed outside the
organisms body e.g. Serum potassium
concentrate in the blood

19. Advantages
 Accurate and precise
 Objective
 Valid measures of the targeted variables
 Cost is low(hospital)

20. Disadvantages
 Measuring tool may affect the variables
 Risk of damaging the cells

21. Other datas
 Records
 Vignettes
 Projective techniques