Data Collection Methods - Coursework Example

Data Collection To have an imperative discussion on the question, it is important to dichotomize and delineate the unembellished concept ‘data collection’. Data refers to statistics or facts that are collected and analyzed for reference and proof of phenomena. Data collection is therefore a systematic approach of gathering and measuring information on different variables so as to establish answers to research questions evaluate outcomes and test the hypotheses. A myriad of businesses across the globe depend on the collection of data for a number of reasons. Most businesses collect data in order to, analyze their performance, know their number of clients, understand customers characteristics and behavior, conduct the market share, and have a succinct projections of the future performance of the business amongst others. Therefore it is one of the core elements within the research and development unit of a business. During our sixth lesson (organizational performance measure), we analyzed four main performance measures which includes; input (resources required in carrying out a program), process (cost of resources per the unit of the expected output), output (work completed or the services provided by the injected input), and outcome which is the whether the customer needs and the program objects are met). In providing an expanded discussion on data collection, the paper will adopt the input performance measure. Input refers to the amount of the resources that is either required or available to produce an outcome and output. It is usually expressed as the amount of funds that is needed for an implemented of a program or project. They facilitate the creation of an output. They include the equipment, cost of labor, utilities, building space, supplies, materials and overhead among others. The measures of input give information on resources such as the financial budget and the people that are available in the execution of various processes that delivers an output. Data collection methods The expanded discussion of the data collection will cover three main types of methodologies that entail more of human interaction. It will cover surveys, focus groups and interviews. Surveys This is a type of data collection used in assessing the performance of the organization. They are also used in the organizational capacity perspective by the employees. It is one of the fundamental ways in obtaining factual data and information on the changes in status and clients behavior especially after they have completed a service. Before an input is ordered for the completion of a particular task, it is important that a survey is conducted so that the best is obtained to facilitate the goal achievement. The objectives can only be achieved when the best inputs are obtained for the project. (Stanton, 1998) A survey has a number of questions which deals with various dimensions of the input factors that are being measured. The organization conducts surveys with regards to the best inputs that will result to the best output and outcome. The surveys should also ensure that the inputs fit the processes that are involved in the entire production process. The development of surveys in collection of input data involves four main stages. The first stage is planning stage; the second stage is the designing of the survey instrument, while the third and last stages are selection of the samples and collection of data from various respondents. (Medina-Borja, Pasupathy, & Triantis, 2007) The surveys use four different types of scales which include ordinal rating scale, likert scale, comparative rating scale and the semantic differential scale. Ordinary rating scale is one of the most common used in different questionnaires. The scale is often shown in series of words or numbers and the respondents are expected to circle the points within the scale. The scale can be e.g. excellent, good, better, bad, poor among others. Linkert scale is characterized by the questions. The respond checks the points within the scale when they agree with the statement. The comparative rating scale has the respondent complete the factors being rated and compare against a given bench mark. When the specificity of the bench mark is greater, there will be high chances of reliability of response being high. The scale used is often bi-polar with a positive score indicating favorability. Lastly, semantic differential scale has different items with each containing phrases or words that can be picked/ selected so that they can relate to the factors which are under discussion. Before the surveys are used in the collection of data for inputs, there are test instrument criteria that are often used. The first one is the reliability of the tool which states that the responses should remain consistent despite of variations. The other factor is the validity meaning that the method gives the value to the unit of a measure that measures the intended characteristics. The collection of data is done through different platforms which include mails, web surveys, telephone, and mixed modes, face to face among others. Examples An example is when a beverage company e.g. Coca Cola can conduct market research using surveys to analyze some of the inputs customers prefer be used when making the beverages. This will vary from region to region. The company can then analyze the result from the surveys to have an understanding on what the clients want. From the result, Coca Cola Company can decide on some of the inputs to use besides the Coke syrup to produce an output or outcome depending on the client’s requirements. Interviews Interview is one of the most common methods used in the collection of data by a number of businesses across the board. Interviews are also referred to as ethnographic interviewing, elite interviewing and semi structured interviewing. It is therefore a conversational approach that is conducted with one respondent at ago. It is usually done with high end customers. When collecting information on the input for specific project, it is important that users are consulted on what they believe is the best. The project or the businesses are concerned with how the users/customers will respond to the product that is injected to them. Therefore it is important that their views is taken into consideration when a new product/projected is being implemented. Interviewing as a method of data collection is usually characterized by a combination of open and closed ended questions. They usually have questions that are within the topic but can however go outside the topic. It is regarded as semi structured given that the questions are submitted to the respondent before the interview time and they cannot be changed by the interviewer once sent. (Medina-Borja, Pasupathy, & Triantis, 2007) Some of the advantages of this method when getting information for an input includes; it gives room for probing and detailed response; the respondent is able to give succinct responses on issues they were not sure, useful in conducting formative program evaluation, it gives respondents the latitude and leads to pursue some issue. Some of the limitations includes; time consuming and it requires a sophisticated interviewer. Some of the stages which are involved include; selection of the interviewees and plan for the interviewees, draft questions to be discussed starts the interview and polishing of the interview techniques. The use of interviews to obtain information requires a lot of professionalism from the interviewer. Given that the people who are involved are senior members in the society, the interviewer should be someone of high integrity and time consciousness. The interviewer should also have the best probing skills so as to ensure that the information that is required is obtained. Some of the respondents might not represent the general impression of the entire users; therefore a detailed probing is necessary to get as much information as possible. Example When an organization or government intends to implement a project, the most consideration is how the project will impact the lives of the people. The users must or need to benefit from the project. Besides, the benefits accrued by the users, the owners of the project also need to get the value for money from the projects outputs and outcome. Therefore, it is important that the best materials are put in place for the bets results. Therefore through interviews, the users will be interviewed on some of the materials they believe will help in giving the best output and outcome. It is through the results and analysis that the project managers will be able to understand what will give the best result to what is expected by the customers/users. Sampling Sampling is delineated as a process that is used in the statistical analysis whereby the predetermined number of various organizations will be picked from the main population. The methodology that is used by various researchers in sampling from a larger population mainly depends on the specific type of analysis. (Stanton, 1998) Inputs used in various projects and business are very important when it comes to the determination of the projects output. Given that it is not possible to get views of the entire population, it is important that those who are selected are a representation of the entire population. At the end of it all, the input that is used by the business will impact the output and outcome, generally the perception of the customers with regards to the product. Therefore a good reasonable sample should be picked to ensure full representation and value. (Thompson, 1999) There are few terms that are frequently used in sampling which should be delineated in the discussion, these includes; Total population- This refers to every element that is conceivable and is delineated by a single unit of analysis; for instance, University students in national defense library (Approximately 5,000 students) Accessible population- This is also referred to as the sampling frame. It refers to every specific element that is delineated by the unit of analysis that makes it possible to collect data. For instance, the sampling frame can be every student whose records are active in University system has neither dropped their studies for different reasons. An example can be 4567 students of National Defense University. (Thompson, 1999) Sample- This is delineated as a section of the sampling frame where a specific attempt is made in the collection of data. An example can be every 20th student who is currently going on with their studies and their records are active in the system. For example in our case the base can be 4567/20 = 228. The collection of data to regulate inputs in production or coming up with a project is very important. Therefore a sample that represents the population is necessary. To ensure this, there are different qualities which are expected of a good sample as discussed below. The first one is that the data on input used must be accurate enough. The results obtained from the sample are usually generalized to represent the data to be collected from the entire population. For a business/company to get information on the best input to be used, the sample size used must be accurate and representative of the entire population. (Thompson, 1999) Relevance is the second quality. The sample composition should be able to address some key issues required for the input. If there are specific questions that are required to be addressed by the business, the sample picked should therefore be relevant. For instance, lectures cannot be picked to give their issues ion something that directly concern students and require their inputs. The last quality is practicability. The sample should be practicable in terms of time proof, economic and simplicity. The sample picked should make it possible for the researcher to obtain the information in a timely fashionable manner. (Thompson, 1999) Sampling techniques When collecting information about an input, there are different techniques that a business can use to sample the population before collecting data. Some of these techniques include; Random- In this technique, the selection takes place through a repetitious random process ensuring that all members have equal chances of being picked Systematic- This is whereby the interval is determined by dividing the sample size n into different elements within the sampling frame. Stratified- In this scenario, the last sample must determine the distribution if specific attributes. Selection is similar to random sampling; the difference is that when the specific cases have been picked, candidates with similar attributes are disregarded. Cluster- This is whereby members of the sampling frame fall in different clusters of the people. The process then picks entire clusters from the population. Judgment- This is whereby a sub-group is picked believing that it represents the entire population Convenient- This is whereby a subgroup is picked as the sample given the ease by which the data can be collected. Conclusion In a nutshell, it is important to note that the input in any project affects the quality of the output. For business to get high performance and achieve profitability, they should ensure that they get the best input. Therefore, thorough data collection is important to ensure that relevant information is obtained. References Medina-Borja, A., Pasupathy, K. S., & Triantis, K. (2007). Large-scale data envelopment analysis (DEA) implementation: A strategic performance management approach. The Journal of the Operational Research Society, 58(8), 1084-1098. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.jors.2602200 Stanton, J. M. (1998). An empirical assessment of data collection using the internet. ersonnel Psychology, 51(3), 709-725. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220141741?accountid=45049 Thompson, S. (1999). Sampling. New York: Wiley. Read More