Planningfor Data Collection
Themethod or instrument used to gather data
Anideal data collection method is one that is clear, reliable, unbiasedand valid. It must be able to produce evidence to answer the researchquestions and the test hypothesis. Primary methods of data collectionare appropriate for this scenario these include questionnaires andinterviews. Secondary data collection method that can be usedinclude analysis of statistical abstracts, care plans, patientmedication reports, etc. (Chaleunvong,2013). To obtain responses from the participants, questionnairescan be distributed among them. After distributing the questionnaires,the respondents should be given ample time to fill the questionnairesappropriately. Interviews are another way of collecting data. Usinginterviews to gather data provides an opportunity to the respondentsto speak out what they have in mind verbally other than in writing.Open and closed ended questionnaires are an important instrument ofcollecting data. The closed-ended questionnaires will require theparticipants to reply with answers like I agree or don’t agreeetc. while for the open-ended questionnaires, spaces are providedfor the respondents to inscribe their views. Face to face interviewcan prove to be an important tool in data collection.
Descriptionof the sample size
Theactual target consisted of 10000 respondents. The population will besubjected to random sampling so as to give each respondent anopportunity to participate in the research process. Stratified randomsampling technique can be used to select categories from a list ofthe targeted population. This entailed isolating the samplepopulation into smaller groups and then picking a participant fromeach subgroup(Weiss & Weiss, 2012).A total of 100 respondents will be selected and issued withquestionnaires to fill and express their opinions in mattersregarding ease of accessing healthcare, friendliness of the staff,patient wait time, etc. A sample size is a representation of thetarget population that the researcher focuses on in the study. Thesample size was selected based on the researcher’s view that theywere to offer important information needed in the study. The samplesize is determined using the equation below:
n=(Nh/N)*n)/nh (Weiss& Weiss, 2012)
Wherenh= sample size for the stratum, Nh= population size for the stratum h,
N= total population size, and n = total sample size.
|
Units |
Frequency |
Percentage (%) |
|
White |
42 |
36 |
|
African American |
36 |
34 |
|
Hispanic |
12 |
16 |
|
Caucasians |
10 |
14 |
|
Total |
100 |
100% |
Howto ensure a high standard of reliability and validity
Tocheck on the validity of the data collection tools, specificquestions that were incorporated in the questionnaire are aimed atcapturing specific information about the respondents. Thesequestionnaires were sent to the respondents to fill and were thensent back for proper evaluations(Soy, 2015).A pre-test was also done on the questionnaires which guided theinterviewers during the interview. A selected sample of therespondents and the data collected was evaluated. The pilot study wasconducted to pretest the approaches and the data collection toolsused.
Toensure high standards of reliability of the data tools, the designedquestionnaires were given to some selected sample of respondents andthen the information gathered was gauged to measure theirreliability. The same approach was applied to the interview guide,which was used to interview the selected sample respondents andevaluation of the data collected followed. The collection of data inbulk ensures that the data collected is an accurate representation ofthe actual situation under study. The data can further be amended,coded and categorized to present the results of the data analysis ina systematic and proper way.
Questionsfor gathering information
Part1. Closed-ended questions
Howstrongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements
1= strongly agree 2 = agree 3 = not sure
4= disagree 5 = strongly disagree
I find the doctors to be good when explaining the aims for taking medical tests
There are certain things or areas regarding the healthcare that I receive that needs to be improved
Part2. Open ended questions
Do you have ease of access to the medical specialist that you need?
Where you receive medical care, do people wait for so long to be attended to?
Does your doctor treat you in an approachable and polite manner?
References
Chaleunvong,K. (2013). Data collection techniques. TrainingCourse in Reproductive Health Research Vientine. Available on:http://www. gfmer.ch/Activites_internationales_Fr/Laos/Data_collection_tecniques_Chaleunvong_Laos_2009. htm access on October 20th.
Soy,S. (2015). The case study as a research method.
Weiss,N. A., & Weiss, C. A. (2012). Introductorystatistics.London: Pearson Education.