Practice: Data Collection

Types of Data Collection: Quantitative and Qualitative

big data You can collect data in various ways and from a variety of sources to evaluate social work programs. Data can be qualitative - such as interviews - and it can be quantitative, such as questionnaires where the answers to the questions can be quantified. In this activity, you will focus on learning about the four levels of quantitative data. Understanding the different types of quantitative data is important because certain types of analyses are performed with different types of data, which will help you determine the methods you will use to gather data for your program evaluations.

When you complete this activity, you will be provided with a summary of the two main types of data, which can also be used as a reference.

How is Quantitative Data Categorized?

Quantitative data is categorized according to the scale of measurement. There are four scales or levels of quantitative data.

Select each item to learn about each level of data.

Test Your Knowledge of Quantitative Data Levels

Now let’s put your new knowledge of quantitative levels of data to the test by matching the correct type of measurement level with the item:

Likert scales

Race

Grade point average

Intelligence quotient (IQ)

Annual income

Education level

Qualitative Data

Now that you have learned about the levels of quantitative data, you will explore qualitative types of data.

Qualitative Question Types

There are several broad types of qualitative questions that can be asked.

Select each item to learn about each level of data.

Test Your Knowledge of Qualitative Question Types

Now that you have learned about several types of qualitative questions that could be asked to evaluate programs and services, see if you can match the type to the question or prompt:

What do you like about the program?

Please tell me a story about the program.

Please provide an example of what you liked about the program, as well as what you disliked about it.

If you could develop your own program, what would it look like?

Please tell me what it was like for you to be a client in the program.

Data Collection Summary Sheet

Now that you have reached the end of this activity, save this Data Collection Summary (Word) and use it as part of your assignment.