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Showing posts with label Data Collection Methods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Data Collection Methods. Show all posts

Data Collection Methods

Data collection is the process in which information is gathered from various sources. For doing the market research, data collection is the first step and furthers all market research is based on collected data. Researcher has to adopt various data collection methods to collect the more relevant and authentic data (Axinn & Pearce, 2006). Due to the dynamic environment, market research is very important to know customer’s taste and preferences. Questionnaires, interviews, sampling, survey, case studies etc. are some of the data collection methods that can be used by researcher (Sapsford & Jupp, 2006).

Questionnaires are the method in which specific set of questions are framed and these questions are asked from respondents. This method will give more relevant data as the information is directly gathered from respondents (Brace, 2008). Interviews are suitable, when personal information is required from respondents. Researcher asks some general question from the respondents. In case of sampling, researcher takes a sample of the research issue that represents the whole issue. It is more suitable, when the area of research is very wide. In survey method, researcher gathers the information related to current scenario of market and also analyzes the target market (Flick, 2009). Analyzing case studies helps in identifying the past trends of an organization and further it helps in making decisions for future.

Process of Data Collection

For the collection of relevant data and to explore various information researcher has to adopt the process of data collection. Following the data collection process helps in gathering data in systematic manner. Data collection process includes four steps; these are identifying problem, selecting method of data collection, fieldwork or market research, and evaluation of collected data (Wolf, 2008). Firstly, researcher has to identify the areas and problems that arises the need of research and data collection. Secondly, on the basis of problem, researcher has to select data collection method that will be more suitable for the research issue. After choosing the data collection method, third step is market research, which includes researcher has to do the fieldwork and gathers data from various sources.

Lastly, researcher scrutinizes all the facts, data and information and evaluates the relevant and authentic data that is useful and most suitable for solving research problems (Smith & Albaum, 2005). This process of data collection is followed in every organization. Researcher must collect the data very carefully and accurately because these data is used as base for doing further market research.


Need  dissertation help then email us at  info@dissertationhelpservice.com or call us at

  •   UK Toll free no - 0044-808-189-1311
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References
Axinn, W.G., & Pearce, L.D. (2006). Mixed method data collection strategies. UK: Cambridge University Press.
Brace, I. (2008). Questionnaire Design: How to Plan, Structure and Write Survey Material for Effective Market Research (2nd eds.). UK: Kogan Page Publishers.
Flick, U. (2009). An Introduction to Qualitative Research (4th eds.). London: SAGE.
Sapsford, R. & Jupp, V. (2006). Data collection and analysis (2nd eds.). London: SAGE.
Smith, S.M. & Albaum, G.S. (2005). Fundamentals of marketing research. London: SAGE.
Wolf, J. (2008). The Nature of Supply Chain Management Research. Germany: Gabler Verlag.

Research methodology plays an important role in any dissertation to achieve research aims and objective and collect adequate data. A well define research methodology assist the researcher to conduct an effective research study and collect reliable and valid information. Research methodology is also helpful for the researcher to define research aims and objectives in effective manner. In order to select appropriate and suitable research methodology, it is essential for the researcher to concentrate on different aspects. Firstly, gaining knowledge about the research nature is essential. All research methodology can be divided into two broad categories such as quantitative and qualitative research (Houser 2007). In today’s most of the researcher chooses both research methodologies for their research study. It helps the researcher to develop in-depth understanding about the research topic in both theoretical and quantitative manner.

In a dissertation, an effective research methodology included various aspects such as research philosophy, research approaches; research design and data collection methods. These aspects help the researcher to define research methodology according to the research topic. The detail description is as follow:

Research Philosophy: Research philosophy is an idea of development of knowledge or a research study. A research philosophy contents three types of philosophies such as positivism, interpretivism and realism research philosophy. The researcher can select research philosophies according to the way in which knowledge is developed and judge (Saunders 2003). This philosophy leads the researcher to gain comprehensive knowledge about research approach.

Research Approaches: Research approaches also play an important role to select suitable methodology. It directs research to develop research design and increase the effectiveness of research study. There are two types of research approaches such as inductive and deductive research approach (Houser 2007). A researcher can select the research approaches according to the research philosophy and the design of research methodology. If the researcher want to test the hypothesis related to the research issue, deductive research approach is useful and if the researcher compare the existing theories with collected data and information, inductive research approach is useful (Flick 2009).

Research Strategies: Research strategy is a general plan that helps the researcher to answer the research question in effective manner and choose suitable research methodology (Saunders 2003). An effective research strategy includes the objectives, research questions and data collection resources that help the researcher to conduct research study in effective manner. A researcher can select the research strategy according to the required data and information. An effective research strategy includes the analysis of literature review, case study, interview, observations, experiments, survey etc. (Houser 2007).

Research Design: Research design is an important aspect of research methodology because it helps the researcher to define research study from data collection to the data analysis techniques. There are two types of research design that includes qualitative and quantitative research design. These are helpful for the researcher to conduct research study in effective manner (Flick 2009).

Data Collection Methods: Data collection method is also an important part of follow a correct research methodology in a dissertation that helps the researcher to develop reliable and valid information and data. A researcher can use two types of data collection method such as primary and secondary data collection methods. In primary data collection method, researcher can generate data and information through survey or interview. In secondary data collection method, researcher can use books, journals, academic articles to collect the reliable data and information (Saunders 2003).

Thus, it can be said that all these steps are interconnected with each other and evaluation of all these aspects is essential to select appropriate research methodology in a dissertation. If you are facing difficulty to solve your dissertation or need dissertation help then email us at  info@dissertationhelpservice.com or call us at
  •  UK Toll free no - 0044-808-189-1311
  •   USA/CA Toll free no - 001-877-839-9989


References
Flick, U. (2009) An Introduction to Qualitative Research. UK: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Houser, J. (2007) Nursing Research: Reading, Using, and Creating Evidence. USA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Saunders, M. (2003) Research Methods for Business Students. South Africa: Pearson Education.

Research can be defined as systematic investigation that contributes to knowledge. In this process data collection has significant role. Data means information which helps researcher to achieve research objective. The quality of research largely depends on collected information. The more reliable data leads to more trustworthy research. This is dependent on data collection method that researcher selects to achieve the objective. Data helps the researcher in decision making act. We hope that this post would be a good dissertation help for our students in assisting them with collection of data. There are two types of data and their collection methods are as followed:


Primary data: Data which are collected by researcher itself, said to be primary data. This data collection method is more authoritative as it is not collected by third party. This data provide raw form of information that can be tailored according to the need of researcher. As this data is collected by researcher, this makes it more expensive and time consuming than secondary method (Boba, 2005). This includes:


Observation method: This method is concerned with behavior. In this method behavior is recorded and observed systematically by researcher. Researcher can gather detailed information by this but it’s also time consuming method. In this method, researcher does not change behavior but record it as it occurs. This method is not flexible as survey method.

Questionnaire: This method used in survey. In this method, research related question format distributed by mail or internet. By this method, researcher is able to collect data from wide geographical area. This method is cost effective and easy to manage but also it is time consuming. Questionnaire can be open-ended and close ended. In open ended questionnaire, alternative responses not mention and in other alternative responses are provided to respondents. This method requires only literate respondents so it creates barriers for this.

Interview: In this data collection method, researcher collects data by communication with respondents. It can be through personal meeting or vie telephone. Interview format depends upon information quality and quantity of data that researcher requires for research. Researcher must clear about purpose of research before designing the interview question. Each question relates to research problem. Through this method, research able to access nonverbal behavior and gets immediate feedback. On the other hand, only small number of respondents can access and also it is time consuming method.

Secondary data: Data which are not collected or gathered by researcher himself or herself, it’s termed as secondary data. This type of data has previously collected by someone else for some other purpose (Hodges and Videto, 2005). There are two benefit of this data collection method. This method is less expensive and less time consuming. Through this method, data can be obtained easily and quickly but it’s not authoritative. On the other hand, this data is not fit according to the need of researcher as it is collected by third party for their own purposes. Books and periodicals, Government sources, Regional Publications, commercial sources, media sources and selected internet sites that provide financial data are some example of secondary data sources (Zikmund, 2009).

References
Boba, R. (2005) Crime analysis and crime mapping. USA: SAGE.
Hodges, B.C. and Videto, D. M. (2005) Assessment and planning in health programs. USA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Houser, J. (2007) Nursing research: reading, using, and creating evidence. USA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Zikmund, W.G. (2009) Business Research Method.7th ed. USA: Cengage Learning.