Data Collection in Quantitative Research & Measurements and Data Quality

Data Collection in Quantitative Research

Question

Tell whether the following statement is true or false:

For unstructured data, researchers use formal data collection instruments that place constraints on those collecting data and those providing them.

Answer

False

For structured data, not unstructured data, researchers use formal data collection instruments that place constraints on those collecting data and those providing them.

Data Collection Plan

Structured data:
Formal data collection instruments
Constraints
Collection
Providing

Early Steps in Data Collection Plan

Identification prioritization of data needs
Measures of variables
Selection existing instruments
Conceptual stability
Data quality
Cost
Population appropriateness
Reputation

Question

Tell whether the following statement is true or false:

Open-ended questions permit respondents to reply in narrative fashion.

Answer

True

Open-ended questions permit respondents to reply in narrative fashion, whereas closed-ended (or fixed-alternative) questions offer response alternatives from which respondents must choose.

Structured Self-Report Instruments

Interview schedules
Questionnaires
Open-ended questions
Closed-ended questions

Question

Which type of closed-ended question have several questions with the same response format?

Forced choice

Rating

Checklist

Visual analog scale

Answer

Forced-choice questions require respondents to choose between two competing positions, rating questions ask respondents to make judgments along a bipolar dimension, checklists have several questions with the same response format, and visual analog scales (VASs) are continually used to measure subjective experiences.

Closed-Ended Questions

Dichotomous
Multiple choice
Rank order
Forced choice
Rating
Checklists
Visual analog scales

Likert Scale

Summated rating scale
Series of statements about a phenomenon
Indicate degree of agreement or disagreement
Total score is computed by summing item scores, each of which is scored for the intensity and direction of favorability.

Semantic Differentials

Bipolar rating scales
Indicate reactions toward a phenomenon
Measure:
Evaluative
Activity
Potency

Q Sort

Set of card statements into piles
Specified criteria
Measure:
Attitudes
Personality
Psychological traits

Vignettes

Brief descriptions of event
Asked to react to events
Assess respondents:
Perceptions
Hypothetical behaviors
Decisions

Question

Tell whether the following statement is true or false:

Interviews are less costly and time-consuming than questionnaires.

Answer

False

Questionnaires are less costly and time-consuming than interviews.

Questionnaires

Less costly
Less time-consuming
Anonymity
No risk of interviewer bias
Group administration
Most economical
Mail: low response rate
Web-based survey

Interviews

Higher response rate
Wider variety of people
Richer data
Data quality
Interpersonal skills
Ease and build rapport
Probing

Structured Self-Reports

Response set biases
Common responses
Social desirability
Extreme response
Acquiescence

Checklists

Occurrence or frequency
Category systems

Rating Scales

Rate phenomena
Dimension typically bipolar
Made at specific intervals or after observations are complete

Sampling

Time sampling involves the specification of the duration and frequency of observational periods and intersession intervals.
Event sampling selects integral behaviors or events of a special type for observation.

Observer Biases