Data Collection Methods and Tools for Research; a step-by-Step Guide to Choose Data Collection Technique for Academic and Business Research Projects

Data Collection Methods and Tools for Research; A Step-by-Step Guide to Choose Data Collection Technique for 
Academic and Business Research Projects
Hamed Taherdoost
 
www.elvedit.com
 
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formulated answers using open-ended questions. Qualitative questions are open-ended (Taherdoost, 
2019). In this type, then, the answers should be coded into a response scale. Therefore, in comparison to 
the open-ended questions, close-ended ones are pre-coded to make the work quickly be implemented 
(Olsen, 2012). 
For close-ended questions, there are four types of options to respond the questions: 
● You can have a two-option as the responses possibilities which are known as dichotomous scales. 
● If you add more than two options for the respondents, the scale is known as nominal-
polychromous. 
● In ordinal-polytomous scales, you prepare more than two options which are also ordinal. 
● Finally, you can use continuous or bounded types which use a continuous scale as a possible 
response case. 
B) The Mode of Administration 
Questionnaires can be implemented in different ways. A face-to-face questionnaire mode can be used 
which provides the chance of presenting the questions orally, paper-and-pencil types can be utilized with 
the items presented in the paper or computerized questionnaires for data collection (Kabir, 2016). 
Questionnaires can be also utilized through telephone, online, or even posting. An online questionnaire is 
a cost-efficient option; however, you should consider the possibility of missing samples due to problems 
with internet access. In these types, different online survey services can be used which provide 
questionnaires for the purpose of study, and then the collected data can be easily added to the analyzing 
software (Taherdoost, 2021). In all these choices, it is important to secure ethical concerns such as the 
confidentiality of participants. On the other hand, participants should try to answer the questions 
politely and clearly (Kabir, 2016). 
C) General Rules for Constructing a Questionnaire 
● Use simple and short questions as much as possible;
● Navigate respondents clearly to avoid any difficulty and motivate participants through answering 
questions (Olsen, 2012); 
● Use understandable, simple, and clear statements for all respondents with different educational 
levels; 
● Utilize positive sentences; 
● Do not use more than one question (double-barreled) in one item;
● Add an open-answer possibility after providing the listed answers and where possible;
● Avoid making assumptions for the respondents (Kabir, 2016);
● Try to increase reliability by appropriate word selection;
● Avoid directing the respondent to any answer using objective questions including clues, 
suggestions, and hints) (Taherdoost, 2021);

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