Systematic knowledge is knowledge gained by a systematic study of any natural or social sciences phenomenon. Systematic knowledge is a meta-analysis of any branch of knowledge, facts, principles and theories. The word systematic refers to doing things in an organized or methodical manner. Similarly, Systematic knowledge of any subject acquires knowledge about the relevant question in an organized manner. It requires a high-level overview of primary and secondary research in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Data collection techniques for Systematic knowledge differ from primary and secondary data collection methods. Systematic data collection techniques are comprehensive and more exhaustive than standard techniques. The study design of systematic reviews about the relevant subject matter is objective. It strives to produce reliable findings. A methodical data collection technique comprises searching, selecting, and managing high standard evidence available for research. The method utilizes a clearly defined, consistent and organized approach to search and review the data. This article by best coursework help firm aims to inform its readers about Systematic knowledge. It will also discuss systematic data collection techniques.
What is the Purpose of Systematic knowledge?
Systematic knowledge is an inquiry to understand any research problem or research question comprehensively. The purpose is to identify, select, evaluate and synthesize the best available research in an orderly manner. It is akin to a meta-analysis that conducts a thoroughgoing literature review by a panel of experts. Traditional literature reviews typically inspect a limited set of research evidence because of study limitations. On the other hand, a comprehensive strategy of meta-analysis is inclusive.
Systematic Data Collection Techniques for Quantitative Research
Data collection techniques in systematic reviews comprise studies that rely on numerical data. It is a standard practice in healthcare and clinical studies. Like all research studies, it defines a research question and finds the relevant data. It involves the following steps:
- Identification of the entire primary research relevant to the pre-defined question
- Critical analysis of the evidence and synthesis of the findings
- Gathers data from different research studies to produce homogenous conclusions
- Analysis of different types of evidence to comprehend the relevant research question
Clinical and health studies which aim to gather organized knowledge about the relevant research question utilizes the following data collection technique.
PICO Method
- P stands for Patient, Population or Problem, and the research questions have the following format:
- a) What are the attributes of the population or problem?
- b) What is the nature of the disease which requires investigation?
- I stand for intervention & exposure
- a) What do you intend to achieve from this study?
- b) Do you intend to observe, diagnose or treat the patients?
- C stands for comparison
- a) What alternative solutions do you propose?
- O stands for Outcome
- a) What will be the outcomes of your study?
Systematic Data Collection Protocols for Quantitative Research
Find the relevant research
- Description of information sources
- Outline the electronic search strategy for databases
- Explicitly state the methods for selection of studies from the search results
Data Collection
- Describe the methodology of extracting data
- Categorize and define all the variables for which you wish to collect data
Statistical techniques
- Plan statistical techniques for synthesizing the quantitative data
Systematic Data Collection Techniques for Qualitative Research
Systematic data collection technique for qualitative research systematically collects data by making observations, open-ended surveys, interviews and focus group discussions. AS DEFINED EARLIER, the PICO method is the standard practice for systematic qualitative literature reviews. A systematic literature review gathers evidence from many sources to answer a narrow and well-defined research question. It requires organized planning and comprises the following steps.
Strategies and Protocols
- Make a feasibility report of the literature review
- Make a plan to carry out each stage of the review
- Set goals and timelines for the review
- Mapping
- Develop inclusion and exclusion criteria for the screening process of relevant studies
Search and Screening
- Search multiple databases
- Seek help from a librarian or information specialist to carry out the comprehensive search
- Develop a method for documenting the citations
- Reach out to experts in the relevant subject field to select and identify the appropriate sources
- Search for both published and unpublished works to avoid biasness
- Screen the titles and abstracts of the gathered publications
- Screen the entire texts in the following process
- The screening phase should select the relevant publications from the multitude of gathered data
Systematic Data Collection Technique for Surveys
Planning Phase
- Who is your target population? Define the sample size
- How do you plan to reach your sample population?
- How will you keep a check on your biases?
- What skills and resources are necessary to conduct the survey?
- Ethical considerations
- Refine your research questions
- How do you plan to distribute your survey, response rate and manage data?
- Backup plan if things went south
Develop your Questionnaire in a Systematic Manner
- Develop your concepts
- Select survey instruments
- Draft questions
- Analyze whether your questions are offensive, leading, pretentious or based on unwarranted assumptions
- Order your questions
- Write instructions to answer the questions
- Develop a layout
- Piloting
- Modifications if necessary
Implementation Process
- Distribute your questionnaires
- To increase the reach and save time, distribute them physically and online
- Include clear instructions return address and date
- Send reminder letters to the respondents
- Implement the backup plan if the response rate is slow
Organize your Data
- Collate your data
- Employ statistical tools to analyze close-ended surveys
- For open-ended questions, use thematic analysis
Conclusion
Systematic knowledge requires researchers to broaden their understanding of the related subject matter. For that purpose, the data collection techniques employ encyclopaedic strategies to conduct comprehensive research. The collected data requires synthesis to reach a meaningful conclusion with broader implications. Systematic data collection ensures maintaining transparency through a rigorous method of search and screening. Systematic understanding of any natural or social phenomena includes formulating well-developed research questions. The researchers gather relevant research by following a well-structured plan to eliminate the biasness risk.
