Collecting Data 3 Flashcards
(42 cards)
What are surveys and how are they used in data collection?
Surveys are a method of primary data collection where information is directly gathered from people. They typically involve either interviews or questionnaires to collect responses from participants.
2ways conduct surveys & collect opinions: interviews and questionnaires.
What are the main types of interviews used in surveys?
There are two main types of interviews:
- Structured Interviews: These involve asking the same set of questions to each respondent in a consistent manner, often using a questionnaire.
- Unstructured Interviews: These are more like open-ended conversations, where the interviewer has the flexibility to explore topics in depth, making them suitable for qualitative insights.
How should interviews be structured for small-scale versus large-scale data collection?
For small-scale or qualitative research, interviews can be unstructured. However, for large-scale data collection, it is better to use a structured approach with a standardized questionnaire to ensure consistency and completeness.
Interviews can be conducted through which modes?
- Face to face
- Technology based (such as telephone or skype)
What is the principle behind collecting information through interviews?
The principle is straightforward: someone poses questions, and then listens to and records the answers.
Why is the role of the interviewer crucial?
The interviewer’s role is crucial because they need proper training to:
- Avoid introducing bias (interviewer bias) by influencing responses through the way questions are asked or their non-verbal cues.
- Ensure accurate recording of answers.
What is interviewer bias and how can it affect survey results?
Interviewer bias occurs when the interviewer unintentionally influences the respondent’s answers through their tone, expressions, or the way they ask questions. This can lead to skewed data, making it crucial for interviewers to be well-trained to conduct interviews without leading the respondents.
What are the advantages and drawbacks of personal interviews?
Personal interviews offer depth and intimacy but are costly and time-consuming, as one interviewer can only handle one interview at a time.
What are focus groups, and how do they fit into the survey process?
Focus groups are small groups of people interviewed together to generate discussion and insights. While they can provide in-depth qualitative data, focus groups are prone to bias due to group dynamics and are often non-representative of the broader population.
Why do focus groups have a poor reputation despite their theoretical advantages?
Focus groups have a poor reputation due to several criticisms:
- Selection Bias: Participants are often not selected randomly and sometimes selection is deliberately biased.
- Overgeneralization: Results from a single, small focus group are sometimes treated as if they are from a large-scale investigation, leading to misleading conclusions.
- Manipulation: Focus groups can be conducted in a way that ensures results align with predetermined outcomes, rather than producing honest findings.
How are questionnaires distributed, and what are the pros and cons of each method?
Questionnaires can be distributed in various ways:
- Postal Mail: Inexpensive but typically has low response rates (often below 20%).
- Online Surveys: Can reach a wide audience at a low cost, but may introduce bias depending on the demographic’s access to technology.
What challenges are associated with response rates in questionnaires?
Low response rates can introduce bias, as certain types of people might be more likely to respond than others. This makes the results less representative of the entire population. Incentives can help increase response rates but must be carefully designed to avoid skewing the results.
What are the potential issues with the accuracy of responses in questionnaires?
Since questionnaires are typically self-administered, there’s no control over how truthfully or accurately respondents answer the questions. Additionally, unclear questions can lead to misunderstandings, resulting in inaccurate data. This makes careful questionnaire design crucial.
Why is questionnaire design so important?
The design of a questionnaire is vital because it directly impacts the clarity of the questions and the reliability of the data collected. Poorly designed questions can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate responses, undermining the validity of the survey results.
How can you keep a questionnaire engaging and efficient?
To keep a questionnaire engaging and efficient:
- Ask Related Questions in Series: Group related questions together for coherence.
- Be Brief: Make the questionnaire as short as possible to maintain respondent interest.
- Follow a Logical Sequence: Arrange questions in a logical order to help respondents follow the flow.
- Avoid Irrelevant Questions: Include only questions that are relevant to the objectives.
- Focus Each Question on One Topic: Ensure each question addresses only one issue to avoid confusion.
How can you ensure questions are clear and understandable?
To ensure clarity and understandability:
- Use Simple Language: Avoid jargon and complex terms; use everyday language.
- Avoid Calculations and Memory Tests: Do not include questions that require complex calculations or memory recall.
- Avoid Vague Questions: Be specific in questions to avoid ambiguity. For example, ask about specific quantities or frequencies instead of vague comparisons.
- Handle Sensitive Topics Carefully: Phrase personal questions, such as those about age, religion, or sex, delicately to avoid offending respondents.
How can you get honest and accurate responses from respondents?
To obtain honest and accurate responses:
- Use Neutral Wording: Avoid leading questions. For example, instead of asking if someone “likes” something, ask them to rate it on a scale.
- Minimize Bias: Ensure that the wording of questions does not influence or bias the responses, aiming for impartiality to get genuine feedback.
What are some guidelines for designing effective questionnaires?
- Avoid open-ended questions where possible. They require more effort to analyze and categorize responses.
- Use questions that have numeric answers or are selected from a restricted list (e.g., scales of “one to five” or “yes or no”).
- For opinions, use a rating scale with predefined responses, such as “Strongly agree” to “Strongly disagree.” This type of scale produces data that is easier to analyze statistically.
What is a Likert scale and how is it used in questionnaires?
A Likert scale is a type of rating scale used to measure attitudes or opinions. Respondents select from a range of predefined responses, such as “Strongly agree” to “Strongly disagree.” This type of scale helps produce structured data that can be analyzed more easily.
What is a major problem with using questionnaires, regardless of how they are delivered?
A major problem is that there is no way to verify if a questionnaire has been answered truthfully or if the respondent has understood the questions properly. There’s no opportunity to explain the questions to respondents or clarify points they may not understand.
What is response bias in the context of questionnaires?
Response bias refers to inaccuracies in answers that can occur due to various factors, such as misunderstanding questions, social desirability (giving answers that are perceived as more acceptable), or guessing.
How can the design of a questionnaire help reduce response bias?
To reduce response bias, a questionnaire should be well-designed by:
- Crafting clear and precise questions.
- Pilot testing the questionnaire with a small sample to identify and address issues.
- Avoiding leading questions that could bias responses.
- Providing balanced response options to prevent biasing answers.
What is a pilot survey?
A pilot survey is a preliminary test of your questionnaire conducted on a small sample of respondents before using it for full data collection.
Why should you conduct a pilot survey?
Conducting a pilot survey helps identify issues with the questionnaire, such as confusing questions or unclear instructions, which can save time and money by addressing these problems early on.
