Data Acquisition Approach l Flashcards
Importance of data
- basis of all scientific research to answer a proposed research problem
Primary data
- collected by an investigator specifically for the purpose of answering his/her research question
Secondary data (2)
- existing data
- collected for other purposes which an investigator employs to answer his/her research question
Primary vs Secondary data (collection purpose)
Primary data
- specifically for the research question at hand
Secondary data
- for other purposes but may be applicable to your study question
Primary vs Secondary data (data variables)
Primary data
- exact data variables
Secondary data
- limited to existing data variables collected
Primary vs Secondary data (missing data)
Primary data
- can be minimised as data collection process is controlled by researcher
Secondary data
- higher chance of missing data since actual data collection is not within researcher’s control
Primary vs Secondary data (representation of target population)
Primary data
- less representative of target population
Secondary data
- more representative & generalisable by increasing data from other studies
Primary vs Secondary data (collection process)
Primary data
- researcher highly involved
Secondary data
- rapid & easy
Primary vs Secondary data (collection cost)
Primary data
- costly
Secondary data
- less costly but may need payment to access data
Primary vs Secondary data (collection time)
Primary data
- time consuming
Secondary data
- less time consuming
Primary data collection methods (3)
- Experimental method
eg lab-based experiment, controlled trials - Observation method
- participative
- non-participative - Survey method
- in-depth interview
- focus group discussion
- questionnaire
Observation method = Observational studies?
No.
Observation method is a type of data collection process
Observational studies is a type of study design
Experimental method process (2)
- used to test a hypothesis by seeking to establish a causal relationship between dependent & independent variables
- involves manipulation of independent variables while keeping all other variables constant & measure the effect on the dependent variable
Example of data collection form for controlled trial
Case Report Form (CRF)
Types of Observation method (2)
- Non-participant observation
2. Participant observation
Non-participant observation (2)
- without participating in the observed activities
- outsider perspective
Participant observation (2)
- observe through participation in activities of study subjects
- insider perspective
Observation Method Strengths (3)
- Independent of subject’s willingness to respond
- less demanding of subjects’ active cooperation compared to survey method
- can gather more data - Useful if not capable of giving verbal reports of their feelings
- Increase reliability of data collected
- reduce reporting bias as you directly see what people do
Observation Method Limitations (5)
- Time consuming
- Unable to determine the reason for the observed behaviours
- Requires skilled observers
- ensure minimal subjectivity - Researchers need to refrain from interpretation
- bias in recording data - Hawthorne effect / Observer effect
- behaviour change when they are aware that they are being observed
Hawthorne effect definition & how to overcome it?
- phenomenon which study subjects change their behaviours due to the awareness of being observed
- overcome by not telling subjects the details of the study procedures
Observation method considerations (3)
- what to observe
- how to record observations
- how to ensure accuracy of observations
Types of hand-written data collection forms for observation method (3)
- Recording sheet & checklist
- short structured questions - Observation guide
- guiding questions for description of observations - Field notes
- blank piece of paper to fill up
Types of Survey methods (3)
- In-depth interview
- Focus group discussion
- Questionnaire
In-depth interview (survey method)
1-1 interview
Strengths of In-depth interview (3)
survey method
- Gains information on people’s personal experience, stories, feelings etc
- 1-1 more bond - Useful for sensitive topics
- Gains in-depth information
Limitations of In-depth interview (5)
survey method
- Time consuming
- Susceptible to interviewer bias
- through the ways of asking - Require rapport building, usage of motivational probes, listen & react to interviewees (active listening)
- so that interviewees are more willing to share their own personal experience, stories etc - Need to be flexibility to change topic following interviewee’s story
- craft questions accordingly to the response - A lot of transcription
**
Approach to conduct in-depth interview (4)
- *
- use semi-structured interview guide to prompt data collection
- establish rapport
- ask questions in an open & empathic way
- motivate interviewee by probing
Tools to record in-depth & focus group discussions (4)
- Manual note-taking
- Audio recording
- Video recording
- Combination of the above
Discussion guide for
- In-depth Interview
- Focus Group Discussion
- Introduction
- Broad opening questions
- build rapport
- factual questions - Specific questions
- opinions - Closing questions
Considerations of composition of focus group
& why is it important?
(2)
- Homogeneity among participants
- more likely to share if participants are similar - Level of familiarity among participants
- strangers > friends
- anonymity may encourage participants to contribute more freely to the discussion
Types of Focus Group Discussion (2)
- Moderator-Dominated discussion
- Interactive Group discussion
- more free sharing among participants themselves
Focus Group Discussion Strengths (4)
- Large volume of information
- more participants are recruited - Identify a wide range of views
- Identify new & unanticipated issues
- Useful for exploratory, explanatory & evaluative research
- cos broader perspective
Focus Group Discussion Limitations (8)
- Susceptible to interviewer bias
- for in-depth interview also - Discussion can be dominated or side tracked
- Requires skilled moderator to conduct the group & manage group dynamics
- Less confidential
- Influence of social pressure
- within group - Responses not independent
- Does not provide valid information at individual level
- group discussion - Information not representative of other groups
- can recruit participants to better represent target population
Questionnaire definition & purpose (2)
- questions printed or types in a definite order on a form or set of forms
- purpose of seeking specific information from respondents
When are questionnaires useful? (3)
- Limited resources & require data from many people
- cos it is less expensive to conduct - Gather data about knowledge, beliefs & attitudes
- To protect the privacy of participants
- can be done individually
- person-led > telephone > mail
Factors affecting the quality of data collected using questionnaires (2)
- Questionnaire construction
- quality & appropriateness of questionnaire used - Modes of administration
- moderator/interviewer
- self administration
Importance of pilot-testing data collection method (2)
- gather feedbacks from different groups of people who will be potentially recruited in the data collection process
- improve on the data collection method accordingly
Types of data collection (4)
- Manual hand-taking notes
- Audio recordings
- Video recordings
- Combination of the above
