Data Collectin Techniques And Methods

Data Collection Techniques / Methods Dr. N. AUDINARAYANA Professor and Head. Dept. of Sociology & Population Studies Director, School of Social Sciences Bharathiar University COIMBATORE – 641 046 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Data Collection Methods/Techniques Observation Participant Observation Interview Method - with Schedule - with Questionnaire

In-depth Interviews Focus Group Discussions Case Study Method Content Analysis Projective Techniques - Thematic Apperception Test - Holtzman Inkblot Test

Sociometry

Observation Definition: A systematic viewing of a specific phenomenon in its proper setting for the specific purpose of gathering data for a particular study. Observation as a method includes both ‘seeing’ and ‘hearing’. It is accompanied by perceiving as well. Characteristics: It is both a physical and a mental activity; Observation is selective Observation is purposive and not casual. It captures the natural social context in which persons’ behaviour occurs.

Types of Observation Participant / Non-participant Observation Direct / Indirect Observation Controlled / Uncontrolled Observation Observation Tools and Recording Devices - Observation Schedule - Dairy / Mechanical Recording Devices Suitability and Application - Behaviour of human beings and social groups: life styles customs and manner, interpersonal relations, group dynamics & crowd behaviour - Behaviour of other living creatures like birds, animals, etc. - Physical characteristics of inanimate things like stores, factories residences, etc. - Flow of traffic and parking problems

Participant Observation In this observation, the observer is a part of the phenomenon or group which is observed and he acts as both an observer and a participant. For example, a study of tribal customs by an anthropologist by taking part in tribal activities like folk dance. The persons who are observed should not be aware of the researcher’s purpose. Then only their behaviour will be ‘natural’. The concealment of research objective and researcher’s identity is justified on the ground that it makes it possible to study certain aspects of the group’s culture which are not revealed to outsiders.

Interview Technique / Method Definition: It may be defined as a twoway systematic conversation between an investigator and an informant, initiated for obtaining information relevant to a specific study. It involves not only conversation, but also leaning from the respondent’s gestures, facial expressions and pauses, and his environment. Interviewing may be used either as a main method or as a supplementary one in studies of persons.

Interviewing is the only suitable method for gathering information from illiterate or less educated respondents. It is useful for collecting a wide range of data from factual demographic data to highly personal and intimate information relating to a person’s opinions, attitudes, values, beliefs, past experience and future intentions.

Interviewing Process

Preparation Introduction Developing Rapport Carrying the interview forward Recording the interview, and Closing the Interview

Types of Interviews Structured or Directive Interview Unstructured or Non-directive Interview Focused Interview Clinical Interview In-depth interview

Case Study A case study is an in depth comprehensive study of a person, a social group, an episode, a process, a situation, a programme, a community, an institution or any other social unit. Its purpose is to understand the life cycle of the unit under study or the interaction between factors that explain the present status or the development over a period of time.

Some examples of case study are: - a social–anthropological study of a rural or tribal community - a study of juvenile delinquency - a study of life-style of working women - a study of slum dwellers - a study of refugees from other country

Functions

It describes a case in terms of its peculiarities. It gives us an insight into the typical or extreme cases whose unique features are not reflected by the usual statistical method.

A case study helps to secure a wealth of information about the unit of study, which may provide clues and ideas for further research. It provides an opportunity for the intensive analysis of many specific details that are overlooked in other methods. It examines complex factors involved in a given situation so as identify causal factors operating in it. A case study aims at studying everything about something rather than something about everything as in the case of a statistical method.

Content Analysis Content analysis is a research technique for making inferences by objectively and systematically identifying specified characteristics of contents of documents. This is method of data collection and analysis. This is used for gathering data from archival records, minutes of the meetings, documents, letters, newspapers, diaries, etc.

The content of the written serves as a basis of inference.

materials

Application To analyze their attributes, antecedents or effects To infer aspects of culture and cultural change from contents of literatures To study newspapers stand toward current issues like Terrorism, India’ peace keeping role in Sri Lanka, etc. To determine themes and values of novels and short stories.