Statisical Terms

Observation is the watching, selecting, and recording of the behavior and characteristics of living beings, objects and phenomena. When using this technique the person observing can either participate by taken part in the situation they are observing or they can be a non participant by watching the situation but not participating.

Interviewing involves the asking of oral questions to individuals or groups. The interviewer either writes down the respondents answer or they record them. Interviews are usually done in person face to face, over the phone, or by mail.

Written Questionnaires is the presenting of a series of questions to be completed by the respondent in written form. They are usually sent by mail with a detailed explanation as to how to complete the questionnaire and the respondent then mails it back. Although gathering the individuals to answer the questionnaire in a particular place at a certain time is becoming used more frequently.

Focus Group Discussions is a group of usually eight to twelve people who discuss a certain subject with a facilitator or reporter. This allows them to develop a hypothesis to a certain situation, explore the situation, help understand, and solve unexpected problems.

Using Available Information is the locating, and using of information and resources that has already been collected. A lot of the time this information provides for a good starting point, and the information is just waiting to be analyzed or used.

References:

Bluman, A. (2008). Elementary statistics: a step by step approach. 4th Edition. McGraw Hill.

Chaleunvong, K., (2009). Data Collection Techniques: Training Course in Reproductive Health Research. Retrieved January 9, 2009 at http://www.gfmer.ch/Activites_internationales_Fr/Laos/PDF/Data_collection_tecniques_Chaleunvong_Laos_2009.pdf.