2.
0 Method of data collection
Data are generally and collected to provide useful and meaningful information about
the observation under study. The entire planning and execution a survey depend on data
availability which is greatly influenced by the method of data collection.
Decision and choice of the method of the collection should be arrived after careful
consideration of aims and objectives of the survey. The nature of information is needed,
the population under study degree of accuracy, practically, time and cost. The following
are method of data collection:-
1. Questionnaire method
2. Interview method
3. Observation method
4. Documentary method
2.1 Questionnaire method
This method involves the use of questionnaire (statistical format) to collect the needed
statistical information. Questionnaire are specially designed forms meant to extract available
information from respondent (i.e. persons, group of persons, organization, or institutions)
Questionnaire can be comprises of different logical arranged question which are supposed to
be answer by respondent. After answering the question, the respondent is expected to send the
format back to the source. This method is widely and commonly used in collecting information
because of certain advantages it has.
Advantages
a. Wide coverage - Questionnaire can be distributed to a large number of individuals,
groups or institutions etc.
b. Saves time - Questionnaire can be distributed, filled and return back to the source
within a very short time.
c. Less cost- Money cost incurred by using a questionnaire to collect information is
relatively small e.g. you send questionnaire to the institute in London and get the
questionnaire back with little amount of money.
d. Different types of information can be collected by using questionnaire method.
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Disadvantages
a. Problem of designing questionnaire itself. Care should be taken in its design to
remove ambiquility, repetition and out of point questions.
b. Non-response- There is tendency that the respondent may not respond to a question
due to low level of awareness or knowledge of the importance of such
questionnaire.
c. Incomplete or Inaccurate- There is tendency that the respondent may not complete
the questionnaire or give accurate answers to the questions.
d. Wrong or False information- The respondents may deliberately give wrong /false
information without the investigator knowledge.
2.2 Interview Method
The method involve a personal contact of the interviewer with the
respondent (interview) during which the interviewer ask the respondent a series of
questions concerning the subject matter and the respondent is expected to answer.
It is an oral interaction between the two parties. Interview can both be face to face
question and answer through or through the telephone.
Advantages
a. It allows free face to face interaction between the interviewer and the respondent
b. It allows more detailed information to be collected with full explanation
c. It allows the interviewer to guides or directs the respondent accurately in
completing in formations.
d. False information can be checked or corrected when noticed by the interviewer.
Disadvantages
a. Only small areas is covered because it is not possible to interview a
larger number of persons.
b. Time wasting when covering a large number of individuals
High cost; since the interviewer has to follow the respondent on after the other to
respective destination
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c. Appointment should be booked in advance with the respondent before conducting
the interview
d. Respondent personal feelings may influence the accuracy of the information given
2.3 Observation method
This is method of systematic and scientific enquiry used to collect data in almost all
disciplines and for controlled experiment such as biological, social economic and physical
laboratory experiments. It is on –the- spot watch of an event taking place or happening. It
is rampantly used in experiment because of its high degree of accuracy and efficiency in
providing the needed information.
Advantages
a. Information collected are directly from the life happening since events are recorded
as they happens
b. There is contact between the observer and the subject matter being observed
c. The observation can guide control and influence the process to obtain the most
accurate information
d. The information recorded through this method is highly rehired since the recorded
information is what the observers has seen with his/her own eyes.
Disadvantages
a. Time consuming-since the observer has to wait for the events or process to start
and end
b. High cost- if the money is proportional to the consumed
c. There is problem of maintaining the object to be studied or observed and setting the
experiment in notion.
2.4 Documentary methods
The used of the already existing record (documents) of past / present predicted future
events or phenomena is known as documentary method of data collect. Documents may
either be official or unofficial. in this situation, if information is collected from an
official document then the data is referred to as official and if otherwise is unofficial.
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This method makes use of books, newspaper, report, bulleting library from official
sources
Advantages
a. Save time; information can extracted from an existing document within a short time.
b. Provide old information about an event happening can be recorded.
c. Less labor input involved is collecting information through documents
d. Less cost; money cost incurred by the method is small
e. Provide official information
Disadvantages
a. If the information collected was from the initial stage wrong, inaccurate or
incomplete information will be collected.
b. If false official and documented information is recorded in a document, there is
practically no room to correct such information
How to Collect Primary Data
i. Observation: Observation is a technique that involves systematically selecting, watching,
and recording behaviors of people or other phenomena and aspects of the setting in which
they occur, to get (gaining) specified information.
ii. Face-to-face and Telephone interviews: A good interviewer can stimulate and maintain the
respondent’s interest, and can create a rapport (understanding, concord) and atmosphere
conducive to the answering of questions.
iii. Experiments
iv. Self-administered Questionnaire
Sources of secondary data include:
i. Official publications of Central Statistical Authority
ii. Publication of Ministry of Health and Other Ministries
iii. Internet, Websites, News Papers and Journals
iv. International Publications like Publications by WHO, World Bank, UNICEF
v. National Publications include Publications by CBN, NBS, NPC
vi. Records of hospitals or any Health Institutions.
