How to Choose an Appropriate Research Data Collection Method and Method Choice Among Various Research Data Collection Methods and Method Choices During Ph.D. Program in India?

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to explain the characteristics of data (qualitative and quantitative), secondary data, primary data, various primary data collection methods, data collection method choices, and most importantly the suitability of data collection method choices to enable Ph.D. scholars in India to understand the key difference between research methodology/design and research data collection methods/method choices, in turn, guiding them to choose an appropriate data collection method choice.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Postmodernism philosophical paradigm; Inductive research approach; Observation data collection method; Longitudinal data collection time frame; Qualitative data analysis.

Findings/Result: As long as the Ph.D. scholars can understand all the available research data collection methods and make mindful method choices of data collection to answer their research question they will be able to determine (on their own) all the other choices in succeeding steps of doctoral-level research such as i) data collection time frame; ii) sample size; iii) sampling technique; iv) data collection instrument; v) data analysis techniques. In addition, scholars will also be able to differentiate between research methodology/design and research data collection methods/method choices.

Originality/Value: There is a vast literature about each one of the research data collection methods. However, only a few have explained them together comprehensively. In this article, we have attempted to capture most of the research data collection methods and method choices briefly that would enable Ph.D. scholars in India to glance through and make scholarly data collection method choices. 

Paper Type: Conceptual.