Preparing for field data collection involves preparing clear protocols and guidelines for each component of primary data collection using field surveys. This page looks at the best practices and protocols that the research team must follow before starting with the process of primary data collection. Show
Read First
Preparing the Survey TimelinePreparing the timeline for a field survey involves allocating sufficient time for each stage of the survey process - instrument design, pilot, obtaining approval, procurement, drafting protocols, and training. The research team should keep the following points in mind when creating a timeline for fieldwork (field data collection):
Note: The table below provides a sample timeline for each of the steps involved in primary data collection.
Preparing the Survey InstrumentThere are several steps involved in preparing and finalizing a survey instrument (or questionnaire):
Applying for IRB ApprovalsAn institutional review board (IRB) is a an organisation that reviews, approves, disapproves, or recommends changes in surveys that involve human subjects (target population). IRB approvals are important to protect the rights of human subjects. The research team must seek approval at each of the following stages:
ProtocolsDiscussing and agreeing on a set of survey protocols is just as important as finalizing the survey instrument. These guidelines describe the responsibilities of each member of the survey process - impact evaluation team, survey firm, interviewers. Examples of some of the things that protocols deal with are criteria for respondent selection, criteria for sampling, and data quality checks. All protocols should be piloted, and then clearly written out for use during enumerator training. ProcurementProcuring a survey firm involves drafting a terms of reference (TOR), and preparing a budget for each component of the survey process. The research team must carefully prepare these procurement-related documents.
HiringThe research team should hire experience enumerators and supervisors who have prior experience in field data collection. The number of field teams (people directly involved in collecting field data) that are hired in a survey depend on factors like average duration of the interview, sample size, and number of rounds of the survey. For example, if a survey requires a follow-up survey after the baseline (or the first round), the research team should hire more field teams. Team setup and rolesAs the the number of field teams and/or the size of each field team increases, it becomes more challenging to monitor the field implementation (data collection process). Based on best practices, each field team should have 4-6 enumerators and 1 supervisor. There should also be a scrutinizer in the case of a pen-and-paper interview (PAPI), or a data entry clerk in case of a computer-assisted field entry (CAFE) survey. The roles of various participants of the data collection process as are follows:
CommunicationClear communication protocols are important to ensure that everyone involved in the data collection can communicate and discuss any concerns they may face. It is therefore important to draft protocols to address the following aspects:
Special situationsSometimes it is possible that the respondent is either not available at the time of the enumerator's visit, or someone other than the respondent is at home. It is important to provide clear protocols for these situations. In cases where some respondents are not available, tracking sheets become very important. These are forms that the enumerator can fill. A tracking sheet can be used to track:
In cases where someone other than the respondent is at home, the enumerator can do the following:
Data quality and securityMonitoring data quality is one of the most important parts of data collection. Poor quality data can at best reduce the effectiveness of a policy intervention, and at worst require a repeat of the entire data collection process. Therefore the research team must prepare clear guidelines for the following:
It is equally important to specify clear protocols for data security to ensure no data is lost and no personally identifiable information (PII) is made public. This includes encrypting the survey form and providing guidelines to enumerators about how to share data. Create a confidentiality agreement that each enumerator signs to ensure that personal details of respondents do not get used for any other purposes. Plan Enumerator TrainingThe purpose of enumerator training is to ensure that all participants of the data collection process should be familiar with the Survey Protocols and the content of the instrument. Keep the following things in mind.
Click here for pages that link to this topic. Additional Resources
Which of the following is not an example of data collection?Experiment is not a method of data collection. Experiment is a procedure which can be repeated for indefinite times.
What are the 4 types of data collection?Data may be grouped into four main types based on methods for collection: observational, experimental, simulation, and derived. The type of research data you collect may affect the way you manage that data.
What are the 5 methods of data collection?Here are the top 5 data collection methods and examples that we've summarized for you:. Surveys and Questionnaires. ... . Interviews. ... . Observations. ... . Records and Documents. ... . Focus Groups.. Which of the following is an example of observation method of collecting primary data?Direct personal observation is a method for collecting primary data as it is been recorded for the first time.
|