Data Collection Essay

Data collection is the primary procedure that will let the researcher conduct his analysis over a specified population study. In this case, it is necessary to first define the goals and then implement the correct data gathering procedure (Waddick, 2000). This step can minimize possible errors and capture the correct illustration of the whole subject domain. There are several ways for a researcher to collect data according to the intention for analysis principles. These techniques are well defined in order to help the study owner maintain a credible output in terms of data interpretation. The following are some of the major procedures widely used by researchers: †¢ Activity Logging Scripts-These are the written versions of the subjects’ presence in the study (attendance), accomplishments or skill acquisition. †¢ Focus Grouping-A moderated conversation about a specific issue or topic. †¢ Document Analysis Review-The review of available documents such as performance levels, performance tallies, logs and other available indicators. †¢ Interviewing-This is a type of data collection using oral interactions and conversations. †¢ Questionnaires (Surveys)-Written and recorded responses using clearly formulated questions and inquiries. †¢ Observation-The process of watching directly the behavior of respondents and recording the results. The presented data collection techniques are suitable only for specific intention and parameters of data analysis. All of them are being used regularly by many researchers in the goal of getting hidden inferences from seemingly regular events. However, even though they are considered to be reliable forms of data collection, some issues and concerns may still be experienced. For one, data collection may not be as reliable as it should be if the parameters of the study are not available (e.g. absent respondents, missing files, undefined categories) (EIA, 1999); Second, it can sometimes become too costly especially if data are to be retrieved from institutions requiring resource expenses; Third, the data retrieved especially those in documented form, may no longer represent the true population if the info is no longer updated; Lastly, data collection such as interviews may require an enormous amount of time and effort which may compromise the true behavior of the data in a specific time frame. In order to minimize the error in collecting data, there are also some specific rules in using the presented data collection techniques. Some tools are only appropriate for certain types of data collection because each technique provides the significant level of reliability if it is to be used with the correct principle of data collection. Even though some tools seem much easier than others, the main agenda is to come up with a set of data which are reliable enough to be used for analysis and acquire the best possible result for inference. In such a case, it is always necessary to use only the appropriate tool of data collection for specified goals. For the aspect of getting answers on the â€Å"what are-† and â€Å"how† questions, the Activity Log Scripts and Document Analysis Review are used; In getting an answer for the â€Å"why†, Focus Grouping and Interviews are used while Observations and Questionnaires intend to answer the â€Å"how many-â€Å" questions (PERC). References EIA. 1999. Data Collection Problems. EIA DOE. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cbecs/tech_errors_data.html. PERC. N.D. Data Collection Tools and Methods and Collecting Data. Planning and Evaluation resource Center. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from http://www.evaluationtools.org/plan_data_collect.asp. Waddick, P. 2000. Building a Data Collection Plan. Six Sigma. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from http://www.isixsigma.com/library/content/c010422a.asp.