Abstract
This paper discusses three articles on data collection and analysis tools and their applications. This includes data mining, data warehousing and software packages used in the collection. This paper also analyzes the needs of the business upon which the correct data collection and analysis tools are selected.

From the Paper
"Business today has more and more need for external consultants to use data collection and analysis tools in order to make assessment of business operations and processes. Many of the methods used today are computer-based, including software that does much of the job but still requires an able human operator to make decisions and input the correct information. Various analysts have made assessments of these methods to see how they are used and how effective they may be. Such tools are also used for analyzing performance in education, for assessing public programs, and for other tasks requiring a decision as to the value of a program or process. Bielski (2001) discusses the use of CRM, or Customer Resource Management system, which is used to track customer purchases while providing access to customer information using the computer. "

Tags:data, collection, analysis

Abstract
This paper uses social work data collection on the fictional Burnham family, from the film "American Beauty." The paper presents a Genogram for the Burnham family which shows Lester Burnham represented by a square box, with 42 in the middle, and a X crossed over the box to indicate his deceased status. Carolyn Burnham will be represented by a circle, with a 40 in the middle. A line will connect them. From this line, another line will descend to a circle with 16 in the middle, representing their daughter Jane.

From the Paper
"The Genogram for the Burnham family will have Lester Burnham represented by a square box, with 42 in the middle, and a X crossed over the box to indicate his deceased status. Carolyn Burnham will be represented by a circle, with a 40 in the middle. A line will connect them. From this line, another line will descend to a circle with 16 in the..."

Tags:data, collection, family

Abstract
The paper looks at five effective problem identification methods and three data collection tools that can be used by consultants in an effective manner to identify, isolate, and solve problems faced by organizations. The problem identification methods examined are root cause analysis, brainstorming, Fishbone diagrams, flow charts, and post-its. The data collection tools examined are self-administered surveys, personal interviews, and focus groups.

From the Paper
"When consulting for a firm who is looking to improve or control the quality of their performance or to find and solve hindering problems, the consultant has a vital and varied bag of tricks from which to choose. Some of the methods and tools with which the consultant's client's problems may be realized and remedied include Problem Identification Methods and Data Collection Tools. This paper will identify some valuable Problem Identification Methods and Data Collection Tools and compare and contrast their use and value. The first Problem Identification Method that we will discuss is that of Root Cause Analysis. This is the most detailed and intricate of the methods at which we will be looking. If problem identification is necessary, it is a given that there is a problem in the system."

Tags:problem, data, consultation

Abstract
This paper summarizes the various date collection methods present for the outcome management in the Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) project. The author addresses the assessment method for each data collection instrument and describes the questions asked in each questionnaire.

Outline:
Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire
Chronic Heart Failure Questionnaire
Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire
Short Form 36
Short Form 12
Duke Health Profile
Primary Care Assessment Survey

From the Paper
"The questionnaire asks about frequent physical and psychological symptoms experienced by the CHF patient such as peripheral edema, insomnia, dyspnea, easy fatigability, depression and anxiety. Inquiries on the patient's social and physical functional capacities are also asked and rated by the patient. These include the patient's ability to walk at a certain distance, do household chores, effects of CHF on the patient's cognitive skills and travel habits. The patient is also asked to rate how his disease has affected his family. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments are also considered."

Tags:questionnaires, data management, heart and vascular diseases

Abstract
This paper first examines the improvement of pain management at WellStar Health System. The impact of the Joint Commission's standards on pain management is also explored. The paper also discusses tjr cultural factors that influence one's perception of pain, using Asians' reluctance to express pain in public as an example. The paper explores the topic of data collection to assess the quality of care in pain management. Lastly, this paper examines and describes the various assessment tools used for treatment of pain.

Table of Contents:
Data Collection: Pain Management
Process Improvement
Regulatory and Social Impact
- Agency Influence
- Social Influence
Data collection methods
Assessment Tools and Pain Management
Conclusion
References
Appendix A

From the Paper
"The topic of pain management in the healthcare setting is an important one when placing patient care as the most important goal in hospital management. The importance of pain management has reached the attention of the Joint Commission, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and state regulatory agencies. Other community stakeholders have a stake in this topic due to its importance in healthcare. Pain management from a regulatory and social point of view as well as a process improvement plan follows in the discussion. The data collection methodologies concerning pain management issues and the tools for audit provide the matrix for evaluation and the need for amending the change initiatives."

Tags:healthcare, pain, nursing, medicine, medicaid, treatment

Abstract
This report relates the steps and results of an exploratory study social research project, which asked the question: "Will a significant short-term increase in work-related stress and workload affect the subjects' attitude to accepting change in the workplace when there are long term benefits to be enjoyed?" Next, the author reviews the sampling, data collection, survey questionnaires, data analysis and limits and constraints of this research. The paper concludes that, although more research is required, this pilot research suggests that employees are likely to support the short-term inconvenience of increased work-hours in order to reap long term benefits. Several tables and appendices are included in this paper.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
Sampling
Conducting Data Collection
Survey Questionnaires
Interviews
Focus Groups
Data Analysis
Limitations and Constraints
Findings and Implications of Study
Appendix A - Survey Questionnaire
Appendix B - Interview Questions
Appendix C - Focus Group Themes

From the Paper
"From analysing the responses to the survey question regarding employees' perceptions of whether their weekly workload would increase in the next 3 months and the question regarding whether they see the load window proposal as being beneficial to them over the next 3 years, it seems apparent in retrospect that employees may have had different understandings of the question. The question did not specifically focus on the type of benefit being asked about and it is possible that employees interpreted the question more openly than intended. The intention was to probe the participants' feelings regarding whether their overall workload would decrease together with a decrease in weekly work hours as a result of the implementation of the load window. However it seems possible and justifiable taking into consideration the wording of the question, that some employees understood the question to relate to whether the load window project would be beneficial to their professional standing in the organisation in more general terms. Those employees who are expected to work on this important project may have felt that they stood to gain benefits in terms of prestige and recognition and this may have skewed the answers to this question."

Tags:non-probability, online survey, dichotomous questions, focus group, gender

Abstract
This paper discusses different approaches to collecting data for research purposes. It also attempts to evaluate whether these approaches are suitable to answer the stated research question, "do murderers choose the method of killing a victim according to their personality traits?." The paper establishes the differences between qualitative and quantitative research and then introduces the most common forms of data collection methods (interviews, focus groups, case studies, observations, documentary sources, questionnaires and experiments). The paper contains a bibliography, as well as a list of sources used.

Table of Contents:
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
Interviews
Focus Groups
Case Studies
Observations
Documentary sources
Questionnaires
Experiments
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Regarding the present research question, questionnaires are a suitable approach to determine murderers' personality traits. Already existing personality questionnaires, such as the Big Five Marker (Goldberg, 1992), the NEO-PI-R (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and the Big Five Inventory (John, Donahue & Kentle, 1991) could be used to determine the prisoners' personality traits, which show high reliability and validity rates. Generally, questionnaires seem to be appropriate because it allows for a large sample size. Furthermore, getting permission to post questionnaires to prisoners might be easier than getting the permission to administer questionnaires by hand or conduct interviews and focus groups in a prison setting. And not to forget the fact that sending out questionnaires is less time consuming and more cost effective than the other above mentioned data collection procedures."

Tags:sample, interviews, focus, observations, documentary, questionnaires, experiments

Abstract
This essay describing the methods and analysis of collecting data is divided into two sections. The first section deals with the process of collecting data for research, and how it must be done. The second part provides an analysis of how to read the data collected and also how to interpret the data. The writer provides an example throughout the piece using a study to collect data. In the end, the writer presents the conclusions that could be drawn from the data and the flaws from the data. This paper contains figures.

Outline:
Part A: Data Collection and Description
Part B: Data/System Analysis

From the Paper
"Moreover, the aims and objectives of the interviews and questionnaire were to offer a descriptive outline of what is "typical" in context of the current power shift that is taking place within educational institutions however it my not be definitive for all cultures. For that reason the interviewees will be selected from distinctive cases so as to be good representatives of the occurrence being studied.
"Taking into consideration the problems that teachers and principals face within the changing school structure, a non-random sample was selected, where the subjects showed willingness to be surveyed by the researcher within the time and budget restraints. The subjects were identified by personal connections through the societal enclave and the interviews were organized unofficially with the assistance of societal networks.
"Part B: Data/System Analysis
This study chose a small sample size to carry out both questionnaire and interviews. This is because Saunders et al (2003) reveals that a smaller sample size can be considered more appropriate than a larger one when studying the context and background of a particular situation and/or phenomenon. The data collected for this research included an insight into the thought processes of three different social groups within a public school structure: the principals, the teachers and the students."

Tags:data, collection, research, education

Abstract
Examines concerns over computer invasion of privacy. Electronic data-processing equipment. Pravacy problems involved in government, corporations & financial institutions gathering private electronic information. Growth of database information & ways in which private data is used by organizations. Concerns of public. Selling software programs & information.

From the Paper
"Corporations have long used what we might call private data for a competitive advantage. What has changed recently is that with the increasing use of the computer, companies can access even more such data than ever before and perhaps make better use of it. Every company develops its own database of private information based simply on its own clientele, with information such as income levels, residency patterns, spending habits, and so on. Today, computer services gather and collate the same type of information on a much broader scale, making use of data gathered by everything from credit card use to swiping a supermarket club card at the checkout counter. Financial institutions possess a mass of private data by which they can make decisions and target consumers on such things as loans, sales of financial instruments, and similar issues."

Abstract
The paper relates that administrators are calling on teachers to gather data related to student achievement and analyze it in order to create curriculum goals throughout the school system. The paper discusses the potential design and collection of data through a questionnaire and the Likert scale. The paper looks at the analysis of such data, the findings and a plan of action for the study.

Outline:
Problem Statement
Design and Collection of Data
Collection, Analysis of Data and Findings
Plan of Action

From the Paper
"Since the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) in 2001, it has become evident that all school systems must adhere to change if they are to meet the challenges given to them by governmental and educational leaders. In 2003 the schools in the New York City School system were additionally challenged by Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klien through a program entitled Children First. Children first created expectations that schools, administrators and teachers would work toward reform that would require "leadership, empowerment and accountability", leading to a school system in the city that exceeded national requirements for achievement ("Children", 2007, sec. 1)."

Tags:Likert, scale, questionnaire