Data-Gathering Procedure
I. STEPS
Step 1: Analyze the type of data you will be collecting
Quantitative data is expressed in numbers and graphs and is analyzed through statistical methods.
Qualitative data is expressed in words and analyzed through interpretations and categorizations.
*NOTE: You can also collect both types of data; this is known as the MIXED METHOD approach.
Step 2: Choose your data collection method
Experimental research is primarily a quantitative method.
Interviews, focus groups, and ethnographies are qualitative methods.
Surveys, observations, archival research, and secondary data collection can be quantitative or qualitative methods.
Step 3: Plan your Data Collection Procedures
When conducting an experiment one can use the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
•INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: setting a list of criteria from demographics to health etc. to know those who are included and excluded from the study.
When conducting an experiment one can use the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
•INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: setting a list of criteria from demographics to health etc. to know those who are included and excluded from the study.
EXAMPLE #1: You have decided to use surveys to collect quantitative data. The concept you want to measure is the leadership of managers. You operationalize this concept in two ways:
1. You ask managers to rate their own leadership skills on 5-point scale assessing the ability to delegate, decisiveness and dependability.
2. You ask their direct employees to provide anonymous feedback on the managers regarding the same topics.
When conducting an experiment one can use the inclusion and exclusion criteria.