What exactly is it? 

Before knowing what a data collection tool is, you must first know what is data collection. Data collection is the process of gathering data and evaluating it systematically. The success of your research however depends on the data collection tool used by the researcher. A data collection tool is the instrument used to collect the data. There are different types of data collection tools: questionnaires, checklists, observations, interviews, etc. However, the data collection tool that we will be focused on is journal/diary entry. 

The diary entry tool is a research method that collects qualitative information by having participants record entries about their everyday lives in a log, diary or journal about the activity or experience being studied. 

A Case where Journal Entry can be used

Businesses use journal entry as a way of idea generation. As an idea generation method in organizations, the method is named the Collective Notebook Method. A statement for a problem is written down in several small note books. Each participant is given a notebook and is asked to make a daily record of ideas and possible solutions, one to three times daily. By the end of the week many ideas would have been gathered, after which a coordinator is expected to collect and arrange ideas in the order of frequency (McLeod L. et al 2017).  

Its Purpose

Journal entries are used to form the basis of the topic for discussion in a focus group. After the participants' ideas are arranged in the order of frequency, they are discussed in a focus group and this leads the researcher to collecting the data needed for the research. A focus group is also a data collection tool.

Background Information

Journal entries are a source of secondary data because it has already been written by another person. Diaries have been around for some time but have not been quite popular due to the illiteracy levels in the countries they were used.

There are different types of diary entry designs:

• Traditional Design
• Time-Based Design
• Event- Based Design
• Diary Method Design
• Device- Contingent Design

Guidelines to using Journal Entries

1. Date your entries
2. Be truthful
3. Try to make your entries as different as possible
4. Entries should be sequential and not scattered  

How Modern Technology has Improved Journal Entries

Modern technology has improved journal entries as a data collection tool. Pencil and paper used to be the the way to record journal entries. However, with modern technology there is the use of telephones now such as brief telephone interviews (Bolger et al 2012). For example, a journalist going to a press conference no longer has to try to write everything that the speaker says word for word. There is now the availability of phones which can record audios and video so that the participant can write accurate information in the journal after gathering the data.  

Sampling Technique used in this case

Systematic Sampling would be the best sampling technique to use in the case where a business is trying to get ideas for its next steps or to develop a product. Systematic sampling would be best to use because the business would need individuals who can provide substantial information for the research rather than a random sampling which would represent the general population on a whole and the general population cannot provide substantial information for a business seeking new ideas. The business would need experts and potential customers. 

Advantages of Journal Entries

• Participants are familiar with the format so it is simple to understand
• Entries whether made manually or electronically have dates which makes them easy to track
• For illiterate or visually impaired participants, there are brief telephone interviews that can be used to gather data

Disadvantages of Journal Entries

• Participants might make mistakes on entries
• The burden of data entries
• The researcher can't be sure of participants who actually know the format of diary entry

Advantages of Systematic Sampling Technique

• It has simplicity over random sampling
• It has assurance that the population will be evenly sampled
• Less time consuming than the random sampling technique

Disadvantages of Systematic Sampling Technique

• The sample may be biased if hidden periodicity in population coincides with that of selection
• Difficult to assess precision of estimate from one survey.

Bibliography

·         Brown- Thomas, J., Wedderburn- McLeod, L. (2016) ENTREPRENEURSHIP for Advanced Caribbean Examinations St. Andrew, Jamaica.

Okay so guys now that we've come to the end of our lesson, I have some questions for you! Yay!

1. What is a journal/ diary entry?

2. Do you think that the journal entry is an effective data collection tool?

3. Give a reason for your answer in question 2.

4. What is one advantage and one disadvantage of journal entry?