Research: Data Collection Techniques
Background: As noted by Kirk (2016), working with data is one of the four stages of the visualization workflow. According to Kirk (2016), “A dataset is a collection of data values upon which a visualization is based.†In this course, we will be using datasets that have already been collected for us. Data can be collected by various collection techniques.
Reference: Kirk, Andy. Data Visualisation: A Handbook for Data Driven Design (p. 50). SAGE Publications.
Assignment: Summarize 3 data collection techniques (Interviews, Surveys, Observations, Focus Groups, etc.). Compare and contrast the 3 data collection techniques you selected. Lastly, what collection techniques do you prefer and why?
Sample Solution
Research: Data Collection Techniques
Data collection is defined as the procedure of collecting, measuring and analyzing accurate insights for research using standard validated techniques. Data collection techniques include interviews, observations, and questionnaires. An observation is a data collection technique, by which you gather knowledge of the researched phenomenon through making observations of the phenomena, as and when it occurs. Questionnaire refers to a research instrument, in which a series of question, is typed or printed along with the choice of answers, expected to be market by the respondents, used for survey or statistical study. The interview is a data collection method wherein a direct, in-depth conversation between interviewer and respondent takes place. There are differences between these types of techniques. The questionnaire is objective while the nature of the interview is subjective. In an interview, open-ended questions are asked by the interviewer to the respondent. As against this, closed-ended questions are asked through a questionnaire. As a method of observation, observation has limitations but produces accurate results as participants are unaware of being closely inspected and behave naturally.
