Research and Writing in CJ Chapter 10: Data Collection

Data Collection One of the most crucial aspect of the research effort Improperly collected data can delay/cancel the research effort Experimental design is good but not very conducive to social science research

Survey Research Frequently used May be formed around invalid assumptions Often misunderstood Useful for descriptive and analytical studies Two primary means: Self-completing questionnaires interviews

Mail Surveys Popular approach Allows for fairly large samples, broader area coverage, and minimize costs (time/money) No field staff required Bias effect of interviewer eliminated Greater respondent privacy Few time constraints

Mail Surveys: Disadvantages Lack of response or nonresponse Send follow-ups Possible differences might exist between respondents and nonrespondents Lack of uniformity of responses Slow return rates

Mail Surveys: Overcoming Disadvantages Offering remuneration or reward Appealing to respondent’s altruistic side Attractive and shortened format Indicated survey is sponsored or endorsed Personalizing the survey Timing of the survey

Response Rates Per Babbie 40% within 2 weeks 20% within 2 weeks of follow-up letter 10% within 2 week of the final contact 50% adequate 60% good 70% very good

Self-Administered Surveys Generally written questionnaire distributed to selected sample in a structured environment Respondents complete survey within given time period and return it to researcher Advantages Disadvantages

Interviews Structured Unstructured In-depth Face-to-Face Telephone

Other Data Collection Techniques Observation/Field Research Unobtrusive Data Collection Archival data Content analysis