This article is focused on the methods of data collection in research writing, it is expected to be a guide to undergraduates and postgraduates in tertiary institutions. To get the full benefits of this article it is essential that you read slowly and possibly take notes of key information on the subject matter.

Data collection in research is very important in arriving at a reliable result, the method of data collection places the researcher in a comfortable position when questions are being thrown up, and it is a crucial aspect of every research and should not be toiled with. If the right data for a particular study area is properly administered and retrieved, the outcome of research may be unfavourable when the information obtained from a study area via questionnaire, interview or individual observation does not represent what is obtainable in the field.

Often, the major problem with the method of data collection is the ability of the researcher to explain in clear terms how he or she got the data and the techniques adopted to collect data. Many project supervisors may assume research is false when no convincing write-up to show how data was retrieved during a study on an approved project, thesis or dissertation topic. This is because the student or researcher should be able to put up a convincing note on how data were gotten knowing fully that the lecturers did not go to the field with them.

What to Include in the Method of Data Collection

To have a robust write-up on the method of data collection, the following should be included in the relevant chapter of a final-year project, thesis or dissertation;

1. The process or procedure the researcher adopted to collect the needed data should be explained. That is the style and technique. Strategies or methods used to retrieve the data in good time.
2. The researcher or student should explain how the data was administered to the respondents and mention whether the researcher or students used the help of others to distribute or retrieve the said data.
3. There’s a need to mention whether the extra help used to gather data was properly briefed or not and the effect of this on the success of the data collection process.
4. It is important to also mention the exact instrument that was used to collect certain data. It’s possible to use more than 3(three) instruments to collect data, so the instruments should be mentioned while the data collected using the specific instrument should be written coupled with what necessitated the use of that particular instrument.
5. The student/researcher is supposed to state the duration of this exercise, that is, how long it took for the data to be distributed and collected, the challenges faced and how they were managed.
6. The researcher should present a general overview of the exercise including final notes.

Example of Method of Data Collection in Research

What are the Methods of Data Collection?

The five (5) major methods of data collection are;

1. Open-ended or Close-ended Questionnaires
2. Personal or field Observation
3. Group or personal Interview
4. Experiment
5. Simple Surveys

Read more details here

It is worthy of note to mention that there are two main sources of data collection which are; the primary method of data collection and the secondary method of data collection. Both methods could either be used at the same time or separately. Whichever style is adopted, the result should help in your conclusion depending on the type of research carried out.

You can read more about primary and secondary sources of data collection here

Steps to Collect Data

Collecting relevant data requires the student to follow these steps;

1. Identify your population of study for the research you are carrying out.
2. Identify the locations of the population of the study
3. Get the sample of the population (respondents)
4. Ascertain the most relevant instrument to adopt in data collection
5. Determine the best approach to getting the data from the respondents
6. Book an appointment with the respondents
7. Engage research assistants to help in collecting the data
8. Get to work
9. Reschedule a date for collection of administered instruments (applicable for busy respondents)
10.  Retrieve your data and start analyzing

Other Ways of Collecting Data

Aside from the physical administration of data to respondents, the students could use online methods to send and retrieve questionnaires such as;

1. The use of Survey Monkeys
2. Using well-customized Google Forms
3. Email questionnaire
4. The Telephone Call Approach

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