Unit 6: Data Collection for Quantitative Research

Lesson 1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative

Data

Contents
Engage 1
Introduction 1
Objectives 2

Explore 2

Explain and Elaborate 4

Research Data and Its Forms 4
Quantitative Data Collection Methods 7
Guidelines in Choosing a Data Collection Method 13

Extend 15
Activity 15

Evaluate 16

Wrap Up 18

Bibliography 19
Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

Engage

Introduction

Fig. 1. Employment application form

Filling out forms is one of many ways that information can be collected and used in a variety
of ways. There are many ways of collecting information depending on the need and the
objectives. Data can differ from personal information, test scores, codebooks, specimens,
and even ratings, among others.

In quantitative research, data collection procedures may depend on the nature and topic of
the study. As a researcher, why should you be familiar with the different types of data used
in quantitative research? How do different practices for collecting quantitative data produce
reliable and valid results? This lesson tackles the different types of data in quantitative
research and discusses the different types of quantitative data collection techniques.

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Identify the different types of data in quantitative research.
● Explain the different quantitative data collection methods.
● Apply the appropriate instruments for data collection.

DepEd Competency
Collect data using appropriate instruments. (CS_RS12-IId-g-1)

Explore

15 minutes

Form a group of three members. Analyze the variables and research data in the table below,
and propose a data collection procedure to obtain the provided data. Explain your answers
in one to two sentences.

Variable Measurement Data Collection Explanation

Procedure

Academic Academic
Performance scores

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

Variable Measurement Data Collection Explanation

Procedure

Rate of plant Length of plants

growth

Level of Satisfaction rate

satisfaction

Guide Questions
1. What do you think is the relationship of the data collection procedure to the given
variable and its measurement?

2. How did you identify the proposed data collection procedures for each variable?

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

3. What do you think is the role of data collection procedures in quantitative research?

Explain and Elaborate

Research Data and Its Forms

Research data refers to factually recorded materials based on evidence and systematic
observations that are accepted and further analyzed to come up with valid and reliable
results (University of Leicester 2019).

In all types of research, data is considered as facts that should be organized and processed
to form a context to make it useful in the research study. These organized and processed
data are known as information. Data alone may come off as useless when not interpreted
and processed to incur meaningful interpretations.

Examples of Data in Quantitative Research

Quantitative data vary in forms and can be classified into primary and secondary data,
which may be acquired in a number of ways. Primary data are data that are recorded
based on firsthand observations and experiences (Walliman 2011). On the other hand,
secondary data are data that are interpreted based on primary sourced data. It is
important to familiarize yourself with different types of data to know how they should be
collected with accuracy and validity.

The following are examples of different primary data that may be encountered in the
process of quantitative research:
● Journal and diary entries
Entries in journals and diaries serve as records or documentation of interviews or
behavioral observations conducted during the data gathering process.

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

● Evaluative records
Evaluative records are gathered based on evaluating projects that may show various
rates of responses among a certain sample or population. Evaluative records can be
encountered in business research, such as using the evaluative records of the
employees of a certain company in a month for further analysis.

Remember
Different data collection procedures produce different types of data.
It is important to determine which type of research data is needed in
order to know which data collection procedure is to be used.

● Artifacts, specimens, and laboratory samples

Artifacts, specimens, and laboratory samples are forms of data that may be mostly
encountered in experimental research designs. Artifacts, such as tools and coins, are
usually encountered in anthropological studies. Specimens and laboratory samples
are often used in biological studies, which may use certain species of plants or even
animals.

● Framework and methodologies

Framework and methodologies may be encountered in scientific journal articles
coming from experimental research results. Such frameworks and methodologies
may contain different processes that have been used by researchers to come up with
successful and valid research results. For example, a researcher may create the same
research using the same methodology or framework but with different variables.

● Survey forms and polls

These forms of data contain different results gathered from a group of samples, or
which allows researchers to gather collective information regarding certain topics or
phenomena. For example, a researcher wants to look into the readiness of the
students towards multimodal learning. Surveys can provide collective data that may
readily give the researcher a summary of responses from survey questionnaires and
polls.

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

● Official statistics
Official statistics is any form of data gathered by an official body of the government
providing information on a large group of samples of a certain community, province,
region, or country. Official statistics may be advantageous as it is easily accessed and
free for use by researchers. For example, a social researcher who wants to research
the trustworthiness of the police force in a certain country may look into the
country’s crime statistics.

How do primary data and secondary data work

together in producing valid and reliable results?

The following are examples of different secondary data that may be encountered in the
process of quantitative research.
● Web information
Web information contains different types of information provided by the use of the
internet. Basically, information that can be accessed through the internet is
considered as secondary data because they may have already appeared on different
platforms other than the web. As an example, a researcher may turn to the use of
the internet and utilize information provided by a reliable website as a source for
necessary data to support the research work.

● Articles from journals, news articles, and published works

Articles from journals, articles, and other publications may serve as secondary
sources in several ways. Journals and newspaper articles may provide information
about certain issues that may have happened in the past, which may support the
researcher’s current work. For example, a researcher conducting a study on the
effects of social media usage on online businesses may look into different journals or
newspapers that publish stories related to supporting the content of the research.

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

Quantitative Data Collection Methods

A collection of quantitative data is predetermined by the type of data to be collected and the
sampling used in the research. Quantitative research is usually concerned with hypothesis
testing. Unlike qualitative research techniques, quantitative data collection techniques may
be used for larger sample sizes because of their measurability.

It is important to determine the appropriate practice of collecting quantitative data to

determine the right research instrument. This, in turn, will produce valid results for easier
comparison, presentation, and summary. Typical quantitative practices include
administering quantitative surveys, quantitative interviews, quantitative observation,
and various types of experiments (Walliman 2011).

Review
Surveys can be used for both quantitative and qualitative studies.
The difference mainly lies in the construction of questions and a set
of choices.

Quantitative Survey
The execution of a quantitative survey uses questionnaires that contain closed-ended
questions with provided answers for the respondents to choose from. The use of surveys
provides flexibility to the researcher to organize questions and gather definitive answers
and information without the need to have a face-to-face interaction with every single
respondent.

Advantages
● It is convenient for covering large populations and large geographical areas.
● Survey results are generalizable.
● The anonymity of responses can be achieved.
● Objectivity (i.e., no personal influence from the researcher on the respondent) can be
maintained.
● It can be less expensive to administer especially with the use of online platforms.

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

Disadvantage
● Respondents may find the questionnaire limited due to predetermined choices per
survey question.
● The rate of responses may be difficult to control or ascertain.
● Summary and analysis may be restricted since the data to be interpreted may be
reliant on the type of questions in the questionnaire.
● Monitoring of responses (i.e., in terms of blank or incomplete responses) may be
difficult.

Example uses:
● satisfaction surveys on food and beverage in marketing research
● survey research on degree program preference of high school students

How can you ensure that the returned responses

are clear and complete?

Quantitative Interview
Interviews may also be used for gathering quantitative research data through the use of
standardized questions and structured interview formats (Bordens, and Abbott 2018).
Quantitative interviews may take the forms of face-to-face interviews, telephone calls, or
web-based interviews. Quantitative interviews are usually analyzed by using codes from the
responses, different from the narratives produced in qualitative interviews.

How can you make sure that you are conducting a

quantitative interview and not a qualitative interview?

a. Face-to-face interviews
Similar to qualitative research, face-to-face interviews in quantitative research also
involve a personal interaction between the researcher and the respondent. However,
quantitative interviews use structured, not open-ended, questions.

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Advantages
● It allows open communication between the researcher and the respondent.
● It allows the researcher to gather prompt replies when asking for clarifications
during the interview.

Disadvantages
● It is not suitable for collecting data from large population sizes.
● It can be expensive to administer given the costs of meeting face-to-face with
the respondent.
● It can be time-consuming for both the researchers and respondents.

b. Telephone calls
Quantitative interviews can also be done through telephone or mobile calls.

Advantages
● It can be less expensive and more convenient to administer since personal
interaction is not required.
● It can be conducted despite differences in geographical location (e.g.,
interviewing respondents from abroad).

Disadvantages
● It can be time-consuming for both researchers and respondents.
● Technical difficulties are possible especially in terms of signal reception.

Tip
To minimize the possible technical difficulties in conducting an
interview, make sure to do pilot testing.

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c. Web-based interviews
Web-based interviews are interviews conducted through the use of online platforms
with audio and/or video capabilities.

Advantages
● It can be less expensive and more convenient to administer since face-to-face
interaction is not required.
● It can be conducted despite differences in geographical location (e.g.,
interviewing respondents from abroad).
● The researcher and the respondent can still see one another if video tools are
enabled.
● There are plenty of free video and audio online software available for
download.

Disadvantages
● There may be issues regarding the availability of hardware for both
researchers and respondents (e.g., malfunctioning laptop or smartphone).
● Technical difficulties are possible especially in terms of network connectivity
(e.g., slow internet connection).

Example uses:
● factors that affect the decision-making process among voters in choosing
politicians
● how the student-teacher relationship affects the academic performance of a
student
● how a person’s weight affects one's self-concept

How can an observation become quantitative in

nature instead of being qualitative?

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

Quantitative Observation
Quantitative observation, also known as structured observation, involves following a
structured procedure of observation to acquire reliable information for analysis. It mostly
involves the standardization of different elements observed such as the subjects, the
environment, time and situation of observation, and the procedures followed in the
observation process. The use of quantitative observation allows the researcher to put
observed phenomenon and trends into numerical contexts, thus, making them measurable
and quantifiable.

Advantages
● It makes insights and perspectives available through observed data which may not
be possible through other methods.
● Behavioral observations and body language may be possible in quantitative
observations.
● It can be done in groups, making it more cost-efficient.

Disadvantages
● Observations may be subjected to the researcher’s bias.
● The researcher may have little to no control over the environment which may affect
the data collection.
● Consciousness among respondents may bring irregularities in the data collection.

Example uses:
● An observation on the number of people passing by a certain area to see whether
the said location has active foot traffic
● An observation on the attention span of a student depending on the type of teaching
strategy used

How do quantitative data collection procedures

differ in terms of the type of data produced?

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

Experiments
Experiments take in various forms which may involve the manipulation of variables. It
enables the researcher to test hypotheses under conditions that may be controlled or not. It
is a good strategy for data collection showing consequences of manipulation of actions,
particularly the independent variable. Experimental designs usually take the form of
laboratory or field experiments.

a. Laboratory experiments
A laboratory experiment follows a scientific approach in terms of design and
execution. Following a strict standardized procedure, the researcher exercises strict
control over the research variables subjected to a laboratory experiment. Laboratory
experiments are usually used in the field of natural sciences such as biology,
chemistry, physics, or medicinal research.

Advantages
● It can demonstrate cause and effect relationships between variables.
● The adherence to a standardized procedure allows other researchers to
replicate the experiment.
● The researcher has strict control over the different steps of the procedure.

Disadvantages
● Results may be prone to extraneous or confounding variables.
● It may be difficult to generalize results due to the need to continuously
replicate the procedure in order to acquire the same results.

Example uses:
● The antibacterial effect of plants on wounds
● Combustion rate of fossil fuels

b. Field experiments
Field experiments are experiments that take place in the natural environment. In this
type of experiment, the researcher cannot manipulate the variables as meticulously

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as in laboratory experiments. The ultimate goal of field experiments is to observe the

cause and effect relationship in a natural setting.

Advantages
● The natural setting of field experiments may incur high validity as it depicts
real-life scenarios due to its natural field or setting.
● It may allow researchers to create more questions about the observed
processes and activities, which may not be provided by existing data in detail.
● Field experiments do not require the strict environmental constraints of
laboratory experiments (e.g., adherence to physical laboratory standards).

Disadvantages
● The researchers may have little control over the variables.
● The results of the experiment may be prone to extraneous variables which
could be unfavorable to the researchers.
● Replication of the research may be difficult for other researchers due to the
circumstances provided by the natural setting.

Example uses:
● An experiment on aquaculture based on pH level and temperature
● An experiment on the ability of a certain plant to filter air

Guidelines in Choosing a Data Collection Method

As previously mentioned, choosing the right data collection method is necessary to produce
reliable and accurate results. The data collection practices discussed above are the ones
most commonly used in quantitative research. While it is important to determine which data
collection methods are appropriate for the study, the analysis and interpretation of data
also play a vital role in producing reliable and accurate results.

How can the use of technology affect the choice

of data collection method?

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Unit 6.1: Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

There are several things to consider when choosing the appropriate data collection method.
The following are some guidelines that you may follow in deciding which data collection
method is most suitable for your own study:

1. Analyze the nature of your research and your variables. The data collection to be
selected should be appropriate towards the variables being studied, measured, and
observed. Knowing the nature of your research also allows you to identify which
forms of research data must be collected. For example, a quantitative research study
is looking into the effects of liquid fertilizer (the independent variable) on the growth
of plants (dependent variable) in hydroponics. The given topic can make use of an
experiment as a data collection method since it can measure the effects of the
fertilizer on the growth of the plant as measured in terms of the height of the plant
and the size of its leaves.

2. Assess the availability of material resources. Research of any type requires the
utilization of material resources. These material resources may be in terms of
technological resources (e.g., laptops, smartphones) or financial resources. In terms
of technological resources, you must assess whether you have the necessary
infrastructure needed to administer any kind of web-based data collection
procedure. If not, then that is a signal to explore other methods. Regarding the
aspect of financial resources, you must have a budget plan that considers the
possible expenses upon the execution of the data collection procedure. For example,
if you wish to conduct a survey that would require traveling to a particular location to
get to the respondents, you must assess whether there are available funds for
transport expenses and other related expenses.

3. Prepare a timeline of activities. The timeline is a determining factor in your choice

of the data collection procedure. As researchers, it is important to consider the
schedule and timeline of your study because some data collection methods may
require more time than others. Having an organized timeline enables you to foresee
and prepare for possible time constraints.

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Extend

Activity
Choose two data collection methods from the following: quantitative survey, quantitative
interview, quantitative observation, experiments. In one to two sentences, explain how the
chosen data collection practices can be used in a research topic related to your strand.

Data Collection Method Explanation

1.

2.

Guide
Being able to identify the pros and cons of data collection methods can help you
evaluate properly the right procedure for your own research work to ensure the
validity and reliability of the research data collected.

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Evaluate

A. Identify the following concepts described below.

1. These are factually-recorded materials based on evidence and systematic

observations.

2. This quantitative data collection method makes use of questionnaires that contain
closed-ended questions with a list of choices.

3. This type of experiment takes place in the natural environment.

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B. In two to three sentences, answer the questions below.

1. Why is it important to identify the appropriate data collection method for your
quantitative study?

2. What is the role of data collection procedures in the research process?

3. How does the use of technology (e.g., online platforms, computer software) affect
data collection procedures in quantitative research?

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Wrap Up
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● Primary data refers to the information collected or experienced firsthand while

secondary data refers to the information interpreted based on primary sourced
data.
● The most commonly practiced data collection methods in quantitative research
are administering quantitative surveys, quantitative interviews, quantitative
observations, and experiments. These data collection methods produce different
types of quantitative data.
● Determining the appropriate data collection method is important in gathering
necessary information to analyze and produce accurate, valid, and reliable
research results.

Table 1. Quantitative data collection

Practices in Collecting Quantitative Data

Quantitative Experiments
Interviews ● Laboratory
Quantitative ● Face-to-face Quantitative experiments
Survey interviews Observation ● Field experiments
● Telephone
interviews
● Web-based
interviews

___________________________________________________________________________________________

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Bibliography
Balnaves, Mark, and Peter Caputi. Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods: An
Investigative Approach. London: SAGE Publications, Ltd., 2001.

Bordens, Kenneth S., and Bruce Barrington Abbott. Research Design and Methods: A Process
Approach. New York: McGraw-Hill Education, 2018.

Gravetter, Frederick J., and Lori-Ann B. Forzano. Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences.
6th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2018.

Hesse-Biber, Sharlene, and Johnson R. Burke.The Oxford Handbook of Multimethod and Mixed
Methods Research Inquiry. New York: Oxford University Press, 2015.

Krippendorf, Klaus. Content Analysis An Introduction to its Methodology. California: SAGE

Publications, Ltd., 2004.

Kumar, Ranjit. Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. California: SAGE
Publications, Ltd., 2011.

Sapsford, Roger, and Victor Jupp. Data Collection and Analysis. 2nd ed. London: SAGE
Publications, Ltd., 2006.

University of Leicester. “Research Data: Definitions.” April 9, 2012. https://www2.le.ac.uk/

services/research-data/old-2019-12-11/documents/UoL_ReserchDataDefinitions_201
20904.pdf.

Wallwork, Adrian. English for Writing Research Papers. New York: Springer Science+Business
Media, 2011.

Walliman, Nicholas. Research Methods: The Basics. New York: Routledge, 2011.

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