L23: Data Acquisition 1

Question 1

What is primary data vs secondary data?

Answer 1

Primary data - data collected by investigator specifically to answer the research question
Secondary data - existing data collected for other purposes (by someone else other than the user), which an investigator employs to answer his research question

Question 2

What are the differences between primary and secondary data?

Answer 2

• primary is specifically for research qn; secondary for other purposes
• primary: exact data variables needed to answer research qn are collected; secondary: limited to existing data variables collected
• primary: missing data minimized bc data collection is controlled by researcher; secondary: missing data often a problem
• primary: may be less representative of target population; secondary: more representative of target population
• primary: highly involved; secondary: rapid and easy
• primary: costly and time consuming; secondary: less costly and time consuming

Question 3

What are the three main primary data collection methods?

Answer 3

1. Experimental method (lab based expt and controlled trial)
2. Observation method
3. Survey method (in depth interview, focus group discussion and questionnaire)

Question 4

What are the two types of observation?

Answer 4

• non-participant observation

- participant observation

Question 5

What are the strengths of observation method?

Answer 5

• independent of subjects willingness to respond
• useful when subjects not capable of giving verbal reports
• can directly see what ppl do rather than what they say they do

Question 6

What are the limitations of the observation method?

Answer 6

• time-consuming
• does not increase understanding of why they behave as such
• need skilled observers
• need to refrain from interpretation
• susceptible to Hawthorne effect (change behaviour when observed)

Question 7

How to record observations/interview/focus group discussion?

Answer 7

• manual note taking
• audio recording
• video recording

Question 8

What are the strengths of in depth interview?

Answer 8

• info on personal experiences, stories, feelings
• useful for sensitive topics
• gain in depth info

Question 9

What are the limitations of in depth interview?

Answer 9

• time consuming
• susceptible to interviewer bias
• need skills to establish rapport, use probes etc
• flexibility to change topic order following what the person says
• a lot of transcription needed

Question 10

How to do in depth interview?

Answer 10

• use semi structured interview guide to prompt data collection
• establish rapport
• ask qns in open, empathic way
• motivate by probing

Question 11

What are some considerations for the composition of the focus group?

Answer 11

• homogeneity among participants: if so, more likely to share freely w others who are similar
• level of familiarity: better to recruit strangers

Question 12

How to carry out focus group discussion?

Answer 12

using a discussion guide

Question 13

What are the two types of focus group discussions?

Answer 13

• moderator-dominated discussion

- interactive group discussion

Question 14

What are the strengths of a focus group discussion?

Answer 14

• large volume of info
• wide range of views
• new and unanticipated issues

Question 15

What are the limitations of focus group discussion?

Answer 15

• susceptible to interviewer bias
• discussion can be dominated/sidetracked
• need skilled moderator to conduct the grp and manage dynamics
• less confidential
• social pressure influence
• responses not independent
• does not provide valid info at indiv level
• not representative of other grps

Question 16

When are questionnaires useful?

Answer 16

• limited resources and need data from many ppl
• gather data abt knowledge, beliefs and attitudes
• when impt to protect privacy of participants

Question 17

What does the quality of a questionnaire depend on?

Answer 17

• questionnaire construction

- mode of administration