Methods of Collecting Primary Data
Methods of Collecting Primary Data
data
Surveys
Interviews
Observation
Focus groups
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Survey method
• A research technique in which information is
gathered from people through the use of
surveys or questionnaires.
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Types of survey method
• Mail survey
• Telephone survey
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Mail survey
• A survey in which respondents are sent the
questionnaire, accompanied by a cover letter,
and asked to respond by mail.
• It is inexpensive
• Covers large geographical area
• It become less popular with the introduction
of internet
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Advantages
• Less expensive
• Covers large geographical area
• send the exact instrument to a wide number
of people.
• Respondents can fill it at their own
convenience
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Disadvantages
• Time consuming
• Questionnaire will not be properly marked
• Some may not respond to the mail
• Literacy should be ensured
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Telephone survey
• A telephone survey is a systematic collection
of data from a sample population using a
standardized questionnaire over the phone.
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Advantages
• Less time consuming
• A large number of information is collected
within a short period
• Large number of respondents can be
contacted
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Disadvantages
• Cannot use visual aids
• Respondents can terminate the interview at
any time
• It is expensive compared to mail survey
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Interview method
• An interview is a conversation between two or
more people (the interviewer and the
interviewee) where questions are asked by the
interviewer to obtain information from the
interviewee.
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Advantages
• Direct contact
• Clarity of information
• Quick response
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Disadvantages
• Need to set up interviews.
• Time consuming.
• Geographic limitations.
• Can be expensive.
• Normally need a set of questions.
• Respondent bias – tendency to please or impress,
create false personal image, or end interview
quickly.
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Types of interview
• Structured
• Semi-structured
• Unstructured
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Questionnaire
Questionnaires are a popular means
of collecting data, but are difficult to
design and often require many rewrites
before an acceptable questionnaire is produced.
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