1. Research and Writing in CJ
Chapter 10: Data Collection

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

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