DATA COLLECTION METHODS IN NURSING

RESEARCH

By:- firoz qureshiDept. psychiatric nursing

Observation

It is a tool and process in which data is collected by observing and recording behavior or activities related to the phenomenon of interest.

Types of Observation Method(Based on prior knowledge)

Structured Observation * Check list or rating scale to collect data. * Needs to indicate the frequency of

occurrence of the behavior.

Unstructured observation

A combination of structured and

unstructured observation is used to collect

quantitative and qualitative type of data.

Types of observations(Based on time)

• Event sampling involves observation of events.

• Time sampling involves observation of events behavior during certain specified times.

Types of observation (Based on usage of devices)

Direct Method Investigator directly observes and collects

the data.

Indirect MethodUses video cameras to record the events

occurring.

Types of observation (Based on participation)

Concealment / intervention

No concealment / intervention

Concealment / no intervention

No concealment / no intervention

Possible drawbacks• Intervention-concealment

Ethical problems.• Intervention-no concealment

Observer bias through identification with subjects

Reactivity to observer’s presence. • No intervention- concealment

Ethical problemsLow incidence of behavior of interest in

natural settings• No concealment – no intervention

Reactivity to observer’s presence.

Tools used for Observation

• Field notes (Log/record of events)

• Anecdotes (Focus on behavior)

• Check list (Quantitative data)

• Rating scale (Qualitative data)

Sample of observation check listSl.No.

Activities of daily living

Dependent

0

Partially Dependent

1

Independent

2

1. Making the bed

2. Maintaining proper toilet habits

3. Brushing

4. Doing exercise

5. Bathing

Principles of Observation

• Determine the observer – observed relationship.

• Record responses exactly and number of interpretation, E.g. Temp 39°C and not as “high temperature”.

• Training observer.

Advantages of observation method

• Direct method of collection of data• Behavioral description • Record the behavior as it occurs• No item can be over looked• When subjects are not able to describe • Inexpensive• It can be stopped or began at any time• Simple as compared to using questionnaire • Eliminating bias because of recall• Can use the assistants to carry out observations

Disadvantages

• Observer bias• Participant observation gives rise to

unnatural behavior of the individual• Extensive training• The recording devices are expensive• It is difficult to be present to observe key

events• Consent is not taken

Observation guide

(to structure the observations) 1. What methods did the nurse employ in giving the

lesson? (e.g.,lecture/demonstration / role play)

2. How effective was she in implementing them? (circle the letter that applies)a. As effective as possible b. Above averagec. Of average effectivenessd. Below averagee. Totally ineffective

If you answered “d” or “e” why?

Observation guide (continues)3. What kinds of materials did the nurse use in the

lesson?

4. Did the nurse work with the women in a group or as individuals? (circle the letter that applies)a. Worked with the group all of the timeb. Worked with the group most of the timec. Time about evenly split between group and individual womend. Worked with individual / women most of the timee. Worked with individual women all of the time

5. What were the major strengths of the lesson?

INTERVIEW-INTERVIEW GUIDE

Two individuals are involved in conversation with each other, the first aims to get response (Interviewer) and the other gives answers (Interviewee).

Advantages• High degree of flexibility• Can be used with both literate and illiterate• High returns in response• Supplementary data can also be collected• Permits exhaustive exploration and probing• Validity can be appraised• Can observe and select right atmosphere for

interviewing

Disadvantages• Costly – time, energy and money• Trained investigators required• Language of respondents to be known• Cooperation and participation• Availability of respondents• Interviewee biases • Memory lapses in interviewee• Sensitive questions• Compulsion on interviewee to answer-data may

be unreliable

Types of Interview

• Structured• Non-structured

Data Collection using Interview Guide

A study on factors enhancing and inhibiting the quality of nursing care.

Interview Guide: • 8 questions• tape recorder• 10 nurses• 15 times • Researcher and enumerator made notes

Interview Guide

An interview guide is a set of written questions used in face-to-face situation in which the investigator asks the questions to the subjects and record their answers subsequently or after the interview

Interview Guide1. What does quality nursing care mean to you?

2. How does one ensure that quality nursing care is given?

3. Give examples, in your experience, where you think high quality nursing care was given. (Describe an incident).

4. What are some of the most important aspects to consider in the delivery of quality nursing care? Can these be prioritised?

Interview Guide - contd5. What factors (if any) prevent you from

achieving the delivery of quality nursing care to your patients (or patients generally)?

6. What factors enable or help in the delivery of quality nursing care?

7. Give examples of where improvements in nursing care delivery could have been made.

8. How would you rate the quality of care given patients in your area of work?

Role of researcher• Explores different aspects of the topic• Probes more as how, what, where & when

cares for• Minimal interceptions• Shifts transcribed verbatim from tape recorder

to on a word processor• Uses ethnograph computer software

- Numbers each line of the interview transcript- Codes each segment- Selects as required

Advantages of interview guide

• Can be used with the persons who cannot read

• Answers are immediately available

• Provides greater flexibility in interpreting questions

Structured Interview

• Includes Questions which are essential and relevant

• Questions are well framed• Based on objectives of a survey• Based on who is to be

interviewed

Interview Format1. Are you currently a member of TNAI?

□ 1. Yes□ 2. No (Script to Q3)

2. For how many years have you been a member? ___ Years

3. Do you subscribe to any nursing journals □ 1. No, no subscription □ 2. Yes, 1-2 subscription □ 3. Yes, 3 or more subscription

Non-structured Interview• Supplementary questions for probing and seeking

clarification

• Short, vague or misleading answers are clarified

• Respondents express freely, fully

• Interviewer determines the number of questions

• Communicability of the respondent and skills of the interviewer play a major role.

General rules for interviewing• Appointment• Appearance and demeanor• Familiarity with an interview schedule• Question wording• Recording responses exactly• Probing the responses to be neutral• Training the interviewers• Language familiarity• Rapport

Guide lines for successful interviewing

• Plan in advance

• Select a suitable time and place

• Friendly and informal approach

• Rapport with the interviewee

• Ability to listen with understanding, respect and curiosity.

Interview techniques

• Face to face meeting

• Through telephone

• Video recording

• Tape recording

Self administered Questionnaire method

The investigator hands over the sets of questions in written form to the respondents to write down their replies. It is a self report method.

Categories of question in questionnaire

• Open ended questions. E.g. What was the problems you faced after surgery?-----------

• Close ended questions e.g. Yes/No, Multiple choice, Matching questions, Check list type of questions, e.g. “How satisfied are you with your current position”?a) Very satisfied

b) Moderately satisfied c) Moderately dissatisfied d) Very satisfied

Questionnaire Format1. Are you currently a member of the TNAI?

□ 1. Yes □ 2. No

2. If yes; For how many years have you been a member?___ Years

3. Do you subscribe to any nursing journals? □ 1. No, no subscription

□ 2. Yes, 1-2 subscription □ 3. Yes, 3 or more subscription

Essentials of a good questionnaire

a) Short and simpleb) Logical sequence-from easy to difficult

questionsc) Personal questions should be left to the

endd) Technical terms should be avoidede) Directions to filling up the questionnaire

should be givenf) The physical appearance has to be

attractiveg) The clarity, specific language and reading

level, the length of questions, grammar, spelling of the item to be considered

Administrative techniques• A group of respondents are collected in

one place• Mailing distribution• Monitoring return• Acceptable response rate• Follow up mailing• Method of dealing with non-

respondents

Advantages• Less expensive• Self administered• Administered to a large number of people• Sent through mail• It ensures uniformity• No pressure of time on respondent• Allows for complete autonomy deals with

sensitive issues to provide sensitive answers

• No bias

Disadvantages

• Limited to the written responses• Validity of responses cannot be assessed• It does not permit deep probing• It cannot be used with illiterates• Sample may be incomplete• May fail to answer some of the items• No opportunity to clarify. May be misunderstood• Provide socially acceptable answer• Mailing may be costly and response rate may be

low.

Schedule

Schedule is a proforma containing a set of questions are being filled in by the enumerators who are specially appointed for the purpose

Administrative technique• The enumerators put the

questions and record the replies

• Handed over to the respondents to record their answers

• Enumerators explain difficult or question terms

ScheduleAdvantage- Very useful in extensive enquiries.

Population census all over the world is conducted through this method

Disadvantage- Very expensive

Difference between Questionnaires and schedules• Questionnaires and schedules are

used in research surveys• There is much resemblance in

these two methods• From a practical point of view,

same but technical point of view, there is difference between two.

Difference between questionnaire and scheduleQuestionnaire Schedules

Sent through mail Face to face data collection

No help from researcher to fill up

Interviewer / enumerator fills up

Cost is only for preparation and mailing

Cost is for appointing, training enumerator and preparing the tool

Difference between questionnaire and schedule

Questionnaire Schedules

Non response is highMany may not return-may return without answering all the questionsBias due to non response

LowGets answer for all

Bias and cheating is there

Not always clear who replies Respondent is known

Method is slow-do not return the questionnaire in time

Data is collected well in time

Difference between questionnaires and schedules

Questionnaire SchedulesResearcher and respondent do not meet each other

Direct personnel contact

Used with literates Data collected even from illiterate

Wider and more representative

Difficulty in sending enumerators over a relatively wider area

Difference between questionnaires and schedules

Questionnaire SchedulesResponse depends on quality of tool

Depends upon honesty and competence of enumerators

Appearance of questionnaire must be attractive

Not necessary

Concealment of researcher and respondent

Observation method can also be used

THANK YOU