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.

This lesson has 3 parts

• The Methods
  
• Methods and Instruments
  
• Objects of Measurement
  

What are Methods for Collecting Data?

A research method is a convention between scientists 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 artifacts, landscape, and the physical world, as well as the analysis of human production such as media, and art. 

• The Methods
  

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 focused on one case of interest that is studied in great detail.

• Methods and Instruments
  

Data Collection Methods                                                         Instruments

 

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
  

  
  

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References and Further Reading

APA style references

 

 

  

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