Collecting Information

Knowing HOW to Collect Data is Nice But – we need to know WHY For Whom What is the purpose?

Similarities to Scientific Inquiry Stating a research question Formulating a hypothesis Testing the hypothesis Whether the purpose is exploratory or confirmatory, your goals must be clear

Scoping the Problem How will you analyze the problem? Qualitatively or Quantitatively? Primary or Secondary Data? What sort of analytical approach will you take?

Types of Studies Exploratory Descriptive Experimental Secondary

Exploratory Studies Helps in formulating further research Allows one to become acquainted with a problem or issue Literature reviews Opinion surveys Field methods

Descriptive Studies Collecting and summarizing info so you can accurately and objectively describe a situation Formulating objectives Designing data collection methods Selecting a sample Collecting data Analyzing data and communicating results

Experimental Studies Trying to make a causal inference Empirically inferring correlation Theoretically determining causation Design O1 X O2 O1 O2

Secondary Studies Free-standing Literature Reviews Meta-Analysis

Collecting Data Primary Sources Secondary Sources Surveys, Interviews, Field Work Secondary Sources Census, other government data

Field Methods Site Reconnaissance Windshield Surveys Field Interviews Participant Observation

Site Reconnaissance A quick look-see Getting a quick impression of the study area Collecting sensory information

Windshield Survey Similar to site reconnaissance Wider scale Systematically recording data For larger geographic areas Issues of safety may be involved

Field Interviews/Surveys Structured or open-ended Pros & Cons Pro Con Survey Quick Easy to analyze Limited, inflexible Interview Potentially rich information, flexible Time consuming (administration, compilation); difficult to summarize

Participant Observation Becoming a participant to record observations & collect data Unobtrusive measures Looking at license plates at park Worn out tiles at an exhibit Obtrusive measures Becoming an active participant