Methods for Collecting Data

Why Should I Care?

The scientific method depends on the quality of data that is collected. How you measure phenomena is really important if you want your analysis and conclusions to be credible.

There are actually several techniques, or research methods, for collecting data. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and its important to understand this because it will affect your conclusions. If a scientist wants to be respected and considered, they must be careful to use the correct research method, and to use it well. If not, the knowledge gathered in the research process will be useless, and maybe even harmful.

 

 

 

Definitions

 

Research Method:                          A convention to use certain data collection instruments in specific ways to                                                                          observe phenomena related to human characteristics, production, behaviour,                                                   and interaction. The method includes identifying relevant variables,                                                                       establishing a research question, and defining how to measure the variables.

 

 

Data collection instrument:         A tool used to collect data, such as a questionnaire, an interview, a                                                                        laboratory, note-taking, and audio-visual recordings. We also include the                                                                             observation of artefacts, landscape, and the physical world, as well as the                                                                           analysis of human production such as media, and art.

 

 

Social Survey:                                   a research technique that obtains information from a sample of individuals                                                        by asking questions and analyzing the responses

 

 

Experiment:                                       A study where techniques are used to isolate, control, and manipulate the                                                                         major variables in a hypothesis.

 

 

Field Work:                                        Research that involves studying social phenomena as they occur in the real                                                        world, naturally, without intervention.

 

 

Unobtrusive Measurement:        The use of physical evidence, nonparticipant observations, and archival or                                                                          documentary evidence without the knowledge of participants.

 

 

Content Analysis:                            The systematic analysis of ideas, themes, images, etc. in media.

 

 

 

Available Data:                                 The use of data which has already been collected by another group, such as a                                                   dataset from another scientist, from a governmental agency, a private                                                                   research firm, a corporation, or a public organization. 

 

 

Case Study:                                        Research focussed on one case of interest that is studied in great detail.

What are the Data Collection Methods?                What are Data Collection Tools?

 

1.            Survey                                                                                 Questionnaire / Interview

 

 

2.            Experiment                                                                        Laboratory / Questionnaire / Interview /                                                                                                             Recordings

 

 

3.            Field Work                                                                         Recordings / Interview / Artefacts

 

 

4.            Unobtrusive Measurement                                        Landscape / Artefacts

 

 

5.            Content Analysis                                                             Documentation / Media

 

 

6.            Available Data                                                                  No new collection

 

 

 

Objects of Measurement

 

Some methods are better suited for specific variables (in grey). This is for indication only. Each research project is different and may use any of the methods as seen fit.

 

Type of Object  Example               Survey  Experi-ment       Field Work          Unobt. Meas.    Content Analysis

Personal Characteristic  Hair colour                                                                       

Socio-Demographic Characteristic            Religion                                                                             

Opinion               Politics                                                               

Motivations       Murder Interview                                                         

Ideology              Philosophy                                                                       

Biases / Prejudice            Discrimination                                                                 

Preferences        Marketing                                                                          

Personal History / Background   Genealogy                                                                       

Family Dynamics              Violence                                                                            

Cultural History Settlement                                                                        

Perception / Self-Perception       Anxiety                                                               

Aptitude /Ability               High jump                                                                         

Behaviour           Funny                                                                

Level of Knowledge         Methods test