Data Collection Methods
By Dr. Linda Bloomberg, joined by Dr. Janet Boberg and hosted by Janet Salmons, Ph.D., Research Community Manager for Sage Methodspace
Data Collection Methods: What Data to Choose to Collect, How to Collect Data, and From Whom
This presentation is the second of a series about qualitative research strategy from Linda Bloomberg:
Q1: Design Strategy: How to Choose a Qualitative Research Design
Methodological congruence is a key consideration in designing and conducting a rigorous and feasible qualitative research study. In addition to ensuring alignment among research problem, purpose, and research questions, it is critical that the researcher set up alignment among the research design and the methods used to collect and analyze the study’s data.
In this dialogue, Linda Bloomberg and Janet Boberg explain how to think through key questions associated with data collection and walk through an example that demonstrates ways to align research designs with methods.
Linda Dale Bloomberg EdD., is a former adjunct faculty and dissertation advisor in the department of adult learning and leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University, and currently develops curriculum for qualitative research in graduate online programs for National University, serving as faculty coach, dissertation chair, and doctoral subject matter expert. She also serves as consultant to various research, higher education, and nonprofit advisory boards including The Future Talent Council, and is founder of Bloomberg Associates and ILIAD (Institute for Learning Innovations and Adult Development) and cofounder of Columbia University’s Global Learning and Leadership Institute. As senior researcher for the South African Human Sciences Research Council and National Institute for Personnel Research, Dr. Bloomberg’s work focused on change management; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; and enhanced workplace learning. She is the author of multiple publications in the fields of qualitative research, organizational evaluation, leadership development, ensuring equitable student success, adult learning, and distance education, and is a contributor to The SAGE Encyclopedia of Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation (2018). Her two most recent books include the 5th edition of Completing your qualitative dissertation: A road map from beginning to end (2023) frp, SAGE; and Designing and delivering effective online instruction: How to engage adult learners (2021). Teachers College Press, Columbia University. This publication was nominated for the 2021 and 2022 Division of Distance Learning (DDL) for the Association of Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), one of the premier international organizations for instructional design and ed-tech. Dr. Bloomberg presents regularly at national and international professional conferences on topics related to diversity initiatives in higher education, adult learning, qualitative research, and dissertation instruction. She holds master’s degrees in counseling psychology, organizational psychology, and education, and is credentialed with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). In 2006, she received her doctorate in adult education and organizational learning from the AEGIS program Columbia University that was established by Jack Mezirow, founder of Transformative Learning theory.
Janet Boberg, Ed.D. has been a part-time faculty member at several universities including Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, National University, and Northcentral University and teaches courses in certified public management, counseling, evaluation, research, and statistics.
More Methodspace Posts about Data Collection
Find examples and guidance about collecting data on blogs or vlogs.
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Hashtags offer online researchers ways to identify popular topics, trace viral messages, and locate influential thought leaders. Learn more about how researchers use hashtags with this multidisciplinary collection of open access articles.
Qualitative researchers often collect very personal data, whether in interviews or in narratives, diaries, or other records that depict their experiences. One way to protect their identities is by changing their names, and anonymizing the data.
Looking back at 2023, find all posts here!
We explored stages of a research project, from concept to publication. In each quarter we focused on one part of the process. In this recap for the year you will find original guest posts, interviews, curated collections of open-access resources, recordings from webinars or roundtable discussions, and instructional resources.
Methods Film Fest!
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Caroline Lenette offered a keynote address at the International Creative Research Methods conference, September 2023. See the address and learn about the 2024 conference here.
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Dr. Linda Bloomberg explains ways to choose datacollection methods while aligning with the selected qualitative methodology.
Q2 has come to a close. Find the entire set of posts about data collection and other important topics here.
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How to look at data collection using an Equity Framework for CTE Research, which provides principles and practices for researchers on equity questions, designs, and implications throughout the research process.
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For Pride Month 2023, learn respectful ways to study LGBTQ+ people and related issues.
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Learn about using mixed methods with secondary data.
Colin Forster and Rachel Eperjesi co-authors of the second edition of Action Research for Student Teachers offer tips for researchers who want to study children in classroom settings.
What is autoethnography? How do researchers study their own experiences? See this post for definitions and open-access articles that explore this qualitative method for collecting data.
Looking for instructional materials you can use or adapt? These open-access and library resources can be used to learn new qualitative research skills, or to share with students.
Learn about participant observation and read open-access articles that explore this approach to collecting data online or in the field.
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Looking for instructional materials you can use or adapt? Here are materials for teaching quantitative data collection.
Dr. Stommel brings clarity to the messy world of data collection on social media.