Data collection and analysis

What is data collection and analysis?

Data collection is gathering of information from various sources, and data analytics is to process them for getting useful insights from it. ... For data collected from different sources and methods need specific data analysis methods and tools to process and get insights from them.

Data collection

There are a lot of methods, methodologies, proceedings, approaches, etc The most useful method to collect data when studying is the evaluation of all kinds of texts as well as the empirical (concerned with) collection of so-called primary data. Collecting texts in libraries or doing research online (e.g. in library catalogs, data bases, online journals, and other portals) is also considered as data collection. There are numerous data sources («documents», «material») from which to choose.

Example for data collections: «As regards tourism and school attendance, statistics already existing will be used.»

Other research findings already published in texts can also be used as data sources for further analysis. Here it is essential to apply formal criteria stringently (cf. «Writing an academic paper»). Without these criteria it is difficult to evaluate, for example, a research paper already existing before continuing to use it properly.

Data without any analysis aren't results!

The underlying need for Data collection is to capture quality evidence that seeks to answer all the questions that have been posed. Through data collection business or management can deduce (draw as a logical conclusion) quality information that is a prerequisite for making informed decisions.

To improve the quality of information, it is expedient that data is collected so that you can draw inferences and make informed decisions on what is considered factual.

What is Data Collection?

Data collection is a methodical process of gathering and analyzing specific information to proffer (put forward) solutions to relevant questions and evaluate the results. It focuses on finding out all there is to a particular subject matter. Data is collected to be further subjected to hypothesis (without any assumption of its truth) testing which seeks to explain a phenomenon.

Hypothesis testing eliminates assumptions while making a proposition from the basis of reason.

For collectors of data, there is a range of outcomes for which the data is collected. But the key purpose for which data is collected is to put a researcher in a vantage position to make predictions about future probabilities and trends.

The core forms in which data can be collected are primary and secondary data. While the former is collected by a researcher through first-hand sources, the latter is collected by an individual other than the user. 

 

In this session we will discuss about the procedures followed in data collection processing and analysis. In our routine life we come across several information through print, audio and visual media, social gatherings and discussions. But have you ever thought how data for these information is collected, processed and anlaysed? The collection of data refers to a plan for gathering data, information from field situations. A set of procedure is followed to get the desired data/ information from the field work in geography, to process and analyse the facts in a logical and scientific manner.

OBJECTIVES

After studying this lesson, you will be able to :

Ø    identify the steps and issues involved in data collection; describe various tools and techniques of data collection; formulate questionnaire, schedule, rating scales etc.; draw sketch maps of the area to be surveyed;

Ø    Select the samples and collect primary data/information; collect secondary data;

Ø    Make simple tables and diagrams from the collected data;

Ø    Analyse tables, maps, diagrams, photographs and charts, and generalize the results and make suggestions.

Primary Data Collection

Primary data collection by definition is the gathering of raw data collected at the source. It is a process of collecting the original data collected by a researcher for a specific research purpose. It could be further analyzed into two segments; qualitative research and quantitative data collection methods. 

Qualitative Research Method 

The qualitative research methods of data collection does not involve the collection of data that involves numbers or a need to be deduced through a mathematical calculation, rather it is based on the non-quantifiable elements like the feeling or emotion of the researcher. An example of such a method is an open-ended questionnaire.

Quantitative Method

Quantitative methods are presented in numbers and require a mathematical calculation to deduce. An example would be the use of a questionnaire with close-ended questions to arrive at figures to be calculated Mathematically. Also, methods of correlation and regression, mean, mode and median.

Secondary Data Collection

Secondary data collection, on the other hand, is referred to as the gathering of second-hand data collected by an individual who is not the original user. It is the process of collecting data that is already existing, be it already published books, journals and/or online portals. In terms of ease, it is much less expensive and easier to collect.

Your choice between Primary data collection and secondary data collection depend on the nature, scope and area of your research as well as its aims and objectives. 

 

STEPS IN DATA COLLECTION

Broadly speaking there are three major steps in data collection viz.

Ø    One can ask people questions related to the problem being investigated.

Ø    One can make observations related to places, people and organizations their products or outcomes.

Ø    One can utilize existing records or data already gathered by others for the purpose.

Ø    The first two steps relate to the collection of primary data while the third step relates to the collection of secondary data. The information/data collected by a person directly is known as primary data while records or data collected from offices/institutions is known as secondary data.

A. Steps in Primary Data Collection:

Collection of primary data involves the following steps :

1.               Making ready both mentally as well as physically for collecting primary data from field situations.

2.               Keeping a field book/record book or diary for writing relevant information, doing field sketching or writing records of the occurrence of phenomenon at specific time intervals.

3.               Administering questionnaire schedule to the target groups of area people across sampled sites.

4.               Verifying the facts through cross checks in the answers and ground realties.

5.               Integrating the observations, responses and recorded facts in a systematic and logical framework.

B. Steps in Secondary Data Collection:

The collection of secondary data involves the following steps:

1.               Knowledge about the offices/institutes etc. keeping the record of relevant data is of prime importance to obtain the secondary data/information.

2.               Get official letters containing your requirements of data and purpose of data collection from your Principal/Head of the Institute? Your identity card is also an essential requirement to get an entry in the offices.

3.               Keep a note book/record file to transfer data for the purpose. It could also be done with the help of photo copying systems.

4.               The secondary data, thus, collected forms the basis for tabulation and processing as per need.

C. Identification of Issues:

1.               It is very important to identify clearly the issues that are going to be assessed.

2.               Depending upon the availability of time, cost, manpower and tools, a frame work of issues to be covered need to be developed. In case of local area planning the following issues need to be considered.

3.               Issues related to environmental conditions like environmental degradation, quality of human life etc.

4.               Social issues like people’s perception, literacy status, health hazards, incidence of crime etc.

5.               Economic issues like employment, expenditure pattern, flow of goods and commodities etc.

6.               Population study for agriculture, industry etc.

7.               Land use study for agriculture, industry etc.

8.               Facilities and amenities available for social and economic development.

9.               Problems related to growth of economy such as irrigation, means of transportation, availability of power etc.

10.     Focal theme of planning like provision of basic amenities in slum areas, pollution control, clean environment in an industrial area.

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES OF DATA COLLECTION

For data collection we make use of certain tools and follow specific techniques.

The tools that help in data collection are as under:

Ø    Observing the phenomenon and recording the details,

Ø    Inquiring about the facts through questionnaires/schedules

Ø    Making measurements.

Ø    Conducting tests.

Ø    Recording the events.