CARIBBEAN STUDIES

LESSON # 29

SBA CHAPTER THREE (DATA COLLECTION SOURCES)

4 MARKS.

Data Collection Sources

Each source of information must be assessed in terms of its relevance to
understanding your research problem. The researcher must clearly state
how the information was collected. You must identify and describe the
instrument that was used to collect the information.
State whether the information sources were primary or secondary. N/B
you dont have to define primary or secondary sources, just state what
each source includes and how it is important to this study.

Primary Sources
These relate directly to the issue being investigated. They provide first
hand information. These sources include questionnaires, interviews,
observations, etc.

Secondary Sources
These sources provide second hand information for the researcher.
They represent other peoples effort and work on the topic or issue being

investigated. Textbooks, internet sources, journals, magazines,

newspaper reports, archive, are some examples of secondary sources.

N/B Chapter three will require that we prepare our questionnaire now.
This will be your main primary source of data collection.

Questionnaires
The questionnaire should consist of 15-20 items where respondents get
the chance to tick the selected responses. The researcher should ensure
that the items in the questionnaire should be based on all research
questions.

In this chapter, students should briefly identify all the sources related to
their study. In this case, students should briefly describe the
questionnaire in terms of how many items it contains, how many copies
were distributed. How were they distributed and collected, and how long
did it take to be distributed and collected.

N/B the sample size should reflect how many questionnaires were
distributed. You must also include the following things in your Chapter
Three:
Listing all the sources used, using the APA format.
Write a sentence or two about each author identified.
Identify the selected method of enquiry chosen for this study e.g.
survey, case study, experiment, etc. Most of these studies are
conducted, using a simple survey, with the questionnaire as the

data collection instrument. You dont have to define primary or

secondary sources, but you must explain why you think each item
is relevant to your study.
State your sampling technique used e.g. simple random.
State the sample size (ensure it is representative of the target
population in terms of its size and characteristics).
Briefly describe the sample e.g. who makes it up, how were they
selected, age category, etc.
Methods of Enquiry
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Surveys
Focus groups
In-depth interviews
Participant and non-participant observation
The use of primary and secondary materials.

N/B We normally choose to use a survey to do our investigation.

What is a Sample
This is a representation of a target population. It saves the researcher the
headache of having to collect data from all members of the target
population. The larger the size of the sample the more representative it
is.
Probability Sampling

This type of sampling allows for each member to have equal chance of
being selected. Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling
are two examples of this type of sampling.

Non-probability Sampling
This type of sampling allows for the researcher to have some control
over who get selected for the sample. It is a subjective selection of a
sample according to their characteristics. Purposive sampling and
convenience sampling are good examples of this type of sampling.

Target Population
This is the entire group in which the researcher is interested. The sample
is taken from the target population, as it possess the characteristics of
people relevant to the study.

Generalizability of the sample

The more representative a sample becomes the more likely the findings
of the study can be used to make generalization.

N/B Remember the deadline for handing in the Questionnaires is

Thursday January 21, 2016 by noon. (Whether hard or soft copy)

END OF LESSON