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Requirement
Q. Data collection may be seen as either structured, semi-structured or unstructured. Discuss two different ways of collecting structured data and provide examples of situations in which this form of data collection is valuable.
Solution
Introduction
The process of measuring and gathering the information on the variables of targeted value in a systematically established fashion, which helps in enabling the solution to the question which was relevant to answer and further helps in evaluating the outcomes. The component of data collection research includes various fields of study in which it includes physical, social, humanities and business concepts (Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill, 2009). When the methods are discipline in nature, there is a full emphasis to ensure the accurate and honest collection of data. The main motive is to collect all the data to capture the best evidence of quality and further helps in translating into the rich analysis of data and moreover, it builds up a convincing solution to the relevant question.
When it is about to collect the data, there are various methods should be kept in mind such as follows:
Primary data
Secondary data
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Primary Data: The methods that will be used to collect primary data:
Questionnaire – A questionnaire is a research instrument in which there are some questions for gathering the information from the respondents. It consists of both open ended and close-ended questions (2. Methods: Data Collection Activities, 1980). -
Secondary Data: Secondary data are the data, in which it includes:
a. Journals and Magazines
b. Newspapers
c. The Internet, etc.
Comparison between structured, semi-structured and unstructured data collection methods
Structured data collection
Structured data accumulation is a formal rundown of inquiries encircled to get the facts. The interviewer poses the questions entirely as per the pre-arranged order. For e.g. this strategy can be utilized when the data depends on the uses of the purchaser on various sorts of apparel like. Cotton woolen or synthetic, etc. This structured questionnaire can be of two sorts, disguised and non-disguised, based on (James and Robertson, 1982) whether the item or the reason for the overview is uncovered to the respondent. As there are common forms of structured data as follows:
Markup files (e.g., HTML and XML)
Database records (relational and hierarchical)
Spreadsheets (depending on format)
The fundamental point of preference of this strategy is that the data can be gathered in a deliberate and efficient way. However, with regard to individual inquiries, this strategy is by all accounts less viable.
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Structured disguised: for this situation the researcher does not unveil the object of the interview since he feels that by uncovering that the very reason for the interview will get crushed.
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Structured – non-disguised: for this situation, everything is pre-arranged, and the specialist uncovers the goal of the review to the respondent. This is the most taken methodology in statistical surveying. This is because it is, for the most part, felt that the respondent ought to be taken into certainty, with the goal that he can understand the relevance and give wanted data (James and Robertson, 1982).
Semi-structured data collection
The semi-structured data collection is the relational database that possesses properties of an organizational basis which makes it easy to analyses. Semi structure makes ease of database to be stored in a relational database with more clarity and computation.
Examples of semi-structured: CSV but XML and JSON documents are semi-structured documents, NoSQL databases are considered as semi-structured.
Unstructured data collection
It is a sort of information accumulation technique where the information to be gathered is not pre-arranged or not recorded in an appropriately organized arrangement. Therefore, the entire responsibility is left on the researcher to ask the respondent, in the way he feels fit. The researcher just has a certain principle focuses on which he builds up the inquiries to be inquired. Such a strategy is without unbending nature, and the researcher has a sufficient amount of flexibility to gather the information in the request he needs. Typically this sort of technique is utilized as a part of exploratory research.
Therefore, this form of data collection is best suited to the personal and motivational factors, so this also consists of two types of the non-structured method as follows:
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Non-structured disguised: in this, (Johnson, Weller, and Brewer, 2002) the objectives were not explained properly to the respondent.
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Non-structured – non-disguised: in this, the respondent is taken into the assurance that he/she reveals the information as per the survey.
Example of structured data
The below table highlights the structured data in a composed manner. Each and every customer data has been recorded as per the required field. The atomic and discrete nature of data is the thing that makes the data in a structured manner.
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Ways of collecting structured data
It involves overall collection and verification of data and also retaining the logs of data. It includes computing control totals or checksums and further involves validation and verification of all the data analysis. Below figure will illustrate the steps:
The volume and multifaceted nature of information, and also the data that required being gathered, are the most critical components to consider while deciding the appropriate accumulation strategy. The IT assets/ resources for performing the accumulation and the measure of time accessible ought to likewise consider the choice. Gathering reinforcement records of the framework is best when a complete arrangement of the framework's substance is required and the reinforcement with the period being referred to is accessible. Separating the complete substance of the framework using inquiries is best when the full substance of the framework are required, and reinforcement is not accessible or can't be made. Extricating just the important information through questions is perfect when the full substance of the framework is not required, and particular channels can be connected during the accumulation to restrict the measure of information (Johnson, Weller, and Brewer, 2002). Examining the information can be either an initial phase in understanding what information exists in the framework or when extrapolation of the specimen information can be performed. Furthermore, if the framework can create reports and alternate techniques are not achievable, then gathering reports is an alternative accumulation strategy.
Types of Data Collection
Data collection is of various types such as follows:
Surveys: the survey is the method in which ample of information is being collected from the group or sample of individuals. Not all the surveys are through the means of public opinion but are easily directed with the concept of specific administrative, commercial, or scientific purposes, as it provides an important source of scientific knowledge. Therefore, the question which is going to be asked should be in a wise manner because the way it should be asked can directly affect the outcome of the survey. It includes phone questionnaires, standardized paper-and-pencil to predetermine the questions.
Interviews: interviews might be profoundly formalized and organized, utilizing institutionalized inquiries for every research member (often called a respondent), or they might be casual and unstructured discussions. In the middle of there are moderate positions (Buchanan, 1981). One typology that is normally utilized is accordingly identified with the level of custom and structure, whereby interviews might be sorted as one of:
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Structured interviews
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Semi-structured interviews
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Unstructured or in-depth interviews
Structured interviews: use surveys were taking into account a predetermined and "institutionalized" or indistinguishable arrangement of inquiries and we refer to them as interviewer-administered questionnaires. You read out every inquiry and after that record the reaction on an institutionalized calendar, for the most part with pre-coded answers. While there is the social connection amongst you and the member, for example, the preparatory clarifications that you should give, you ought to peruse out the inquiries precisely as composed and in the same manner of speaking with the goal that you don't show any inclination. As structured interviews are utilized to gather quantifiable information, they are likewise referred to as 'quantitative research interviews.'
Semi-structured interviews: the researcher will have a rundown of topics and inquiries to be secured, in spite of the fact that these may change from interview to interview. This implies you may overlook some inquiries specifically talks with, given a particular hierarchical setting that is experienced in connection to the research subject. The request of inquiries may likewise be changed relying upon the stream of the discussion. Then again, extra inquiries might be required to investigate your exploration inquiry and destinations given the way of occasions inside specific associations. The way of the inquiries and the following exchange implies that information will be recorded by the sound recording the discussion or maybe note-taking.
Unstructured interviews are casual. You would utilize these to investigate top to bottom a general zone in which you are intrigued. We, accordingly, refer to these as ‘in-depth interviews’ in this section and somewhere else in this book. There is no predetermined rundown of inquiries to work through in this circumstance, in spite of the fact that you need an unmistakable thought regarding the angle or viewpoints that you need to investigate. The interviewee is given the chance to speak freely about occasions, conduct, and convictions in connection to the theme area, with the goal that this sort of cooperation is once for a while called 'non-directive' (Byrne, 2001). It has been marked as a witness meeting since it is the interviewee's recognitions that guide the behavior of the interview. In comparison, a member (or respondent) interview is one where the questioner coordinates the meeting, and the interviewee reacts to the inquiries of the analyst.
Focus groups: it is the procedure in which the information needs to be gathered from the group, not from the individuals.
So, group interviews can be used as follows:
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Limited resources (time, manpower, finances)
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To understand the behavior, opinions, and the circumstances, the phenomena have been used for its collective discussion.
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To handle the cause and the consequences, greater insight has been implemented for the group dynamic (DATA COLLECTION, 2009).
Following characteristics of a focus group were:
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The prescribed size of the sample group is 6 - 10 individuals as a smaller group may restrain the potential on the measure of data gathered, and more may make it troublesome for all members to participate and cooperate and for the questioner to have the capacity to comprehend the data given.
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A few focus groups ought to be utilized as a part of the request to get a more goal and large scale perspective of the analysis i.e. focusing on one gathering may give you quirky results. The utilization of a few gatherings will add to the broadness and depth of data. At least three focus group is suggested for best practice approaches.
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The members of the focus group possess something which is common in nature, which is further an important component for analysis.
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Groups can either be assembled or existing groups- it is constantly valuable to be aware of the group flow of both circumstances.
The main motive of a focus group is making use of participant’s perceptions, feelings, and opinions.
Further, (DATA COLLECTION, 2009) this method of data collection can make use of numerous range of skills such as follows:
moderating - analysis - group skills - listening/observing - facilitating
Conclusion
The researcher ought to utilize the effectively reasonable information just when he discovers them dependable, appropriate and sufficient. But, he should not indiscriminately dispose of the utilization of such information if they are promptly accessible from authentic sources and are likewise appropriate and sufficient for all things considered it won't be conservative to invest time and vitality infield reviews for gathering data (Shaw, 1995). On occasion, there might be the abundance of usable data in the effectively accessible information which must be utilized by a keen researcher however with due insurance or precaution.
In data collection, have investigated an essential point of sociolinguistics: to make and refine techniques for the accumulation of information that reflect talked and composed language being used. As the contributors to this volume have recommended, exploration is just as strong as the information on which it is worked, as sociolinguistic investigation and application rely on upon the legitimate and dependable group of sociolinguistic information.
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2. Methods: Data Collection Activities. (1980). Medical Care, 18(Supplement), pp.6-15.
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Buchanan, M. (1981). Methods of data collection. AORN Journal, 33(1), pp.137-149.
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Byrne, M. (2001). Interviewing as a data collection method. AORN Journal, 74(2), pp.233-235.
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DATA COLLECTION. (2009). Acta Medica Scandinavica, 201(S600), pp.35-40.
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Hill, D. (1998). Data Collection and Analysis. Physiotherapy, 84(10), p.516.
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James, and Robertson, S. (1982). Structured analysis. Data Processing, 24(7), pp.24-25.
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Johnson, J., Weller, S., and Brewer, D. (2002). Systematic Data Collection and Analysis. Field Methods, 14(1), pp.3-5.
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Moore, B., Nuttall, D. and Willmott, A. (1973). Data collection. [Milton Keynes]: Open University Press.
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Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students fifth edition. [online] Available at: https://is.vsfs.cz/el/6410/leto2014/BA_BSeBM/um/Research_Methods_for_Business_Students__5th_Edition.pdf [Accessed 2 May 2016].
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Shaw, M. (1995). Standardized methods of data collection are required. BMJ, 310(6993), pp.1534-1535.
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