Methods Minute Newsletter, April 2023
Data Collection
Research design was our focus for the first quarter of 2023. The next research steps center on finding, collecting, and/or generating data. We’ll explore methods associated with finding extant or existing data, data elicited by questioning participants, or enacted methods for engaging in experiments or experiential approaches. You will find cutting-edge thinking from emerging researchers and tried-and-true methods from respected experts on Methodspace.
We’d also like to hear from you on what you would like to see addressed in May and June when we look into ways of collecting and generating data. Take the survey now.
Introduction | Upcoming Webinar | Skills | Campus | Journals | Books
Introduction to data collection by Dr Janet Salmons, Research Methods Community Manager, Methodspace
Engaging with stakeholders: What can we learn from action researchers?
Skills
with Alfredo Ortiz Aragón, Rosalind Beadle, Caroline Lenette, and Ernie Stringer
Research has more impact when those directly involved have a voice in the process. This lively online panel discussion will offer the opportunity to learn how from experienced action researchers. Join us for this useful webinar on May 12.
Upcoming webinar
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Ethical and Unethical Data Collection: Bias in data collection
Data is often considered a neutral entity. In reality, data can be flawed and intentionally or unintentionally influenced by the biases of the dataset creator, or by imperfect data collection methodologies. Bias in data collection can occur in several ways including through flawed sampling, use of poorly constructed tools for data collection, and self-selection of study participants.
Check out a sample of Student Success to learn more about bias in data collection here.
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Understanding Data Collection: The Process of Collection
While data is considered to be information in its rawest form, there are many choices we make as collectors or generators of datasets that can influence what information is kept and what is discarded. Collection or non-collection of specific data is often determined by what processes the data generators use to gather their information.
As you decide what kind of data collection process you would like to follow, there are several forks in the road where you must decide which path is right for your project.
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Data Collection Strategies: How to Design a Questionnaire Tool for Survey Approaches
A questionnaire is a structured technique for collecting data which includes a series of questions that a participant answers. A questionnaire should achieve three goals: translate the information needed (the objectives) into questions that can be answered; be engaging to encourage the participant to put sufficient effort into completing the questionnaire; and reduce response errors (collection of inaccurate data such as the use of poor wording). To learn about designing a questionnaire for sureys, check out our sample.
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Data Collection Strategies - Be a Critical Public Data Consumer
When you analyze secondary sources of research, it is essential that you be a critical consumer of information. Data can easily be manipulated to suggest things they do not—and sometimes people prey on commonly held data phobias and a general lack of data literacy to get away it.
Watch this video here, to find out about three important points to consider when evaluating your data sources.
Sage Skills is available for institutional subscription or purchase, generally through the library. You may sign up for a free 30-day trial and make recommendations to our library.
Sage Campus
We go online to communicate, participate in classes and meetings, and find sources in the library. How can we use these tools to collect data for scholarly research? This course gives an overview of types of data and ways to find and generate them online. Learners will evaluate options for their own research as they work through this interactive course.
Try a module from the course for free and recommend Sage Campus to your library.
Journals
From: Sage Open (SGO)
Here, the author compares the data quality (i.e., interview duration, average number of themes and sub-themes, and inaudible words) of 34 interviews (29 conducted by Zoom and 5 conducted by phone) drawn from a study focusing on youth’s coping experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data Collection in Times of Pandemic: A Self-Study and Revisit of Research Practices During a Crisis
Using self-study in form of duoethnography method for reflecting on research practice, this article reviews and reflects on the practices of remote data collection during the pandemic and further revisits additional issues brought about by these practices and concerns.
From: International Journal of Qualitative Methods
In this article, the authors explore the use of WhatsApp as a means of conducting digital focus group discussions to explore Singapore residents' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours around COVID-19.
This article presents WhatsApp as a means of data collection among vulnerable populations, reporting on a study conducted in South Africa and Zimbabwe, to determine the terminology used for and among different genders and sexually diverse individuals.
Here, the authors demonstrate how joint displays of integrated data collection can be used as a planning, implementation, and presentation tool to illustrate the integration of the data collection process.
From: Big Data & Society
In this article, the authors explore the methodologies underpinning two participatory research collaborations with Australian non-profit organisations that aimed to build data capability and social benefit in data use.
Doing Qualitative Research
Related Books
By Benjamin F. Crabtree & William L. Miller
Are you looking to improve your qualitative research skills, including data collection? Look no further than the Third Edition of Doing Qualitative Research by Benjamin F. Crabtree and William L. Miller! This reader-friendly text provides a comprehensive overview of qualitative methods, design, and analysis, making it perfect for both students and researchers with little to no prior experience. For Data Collection we particularly recommend Chapter 2.
Researching City Life
By Tyler Schafer & Michael Ian Borer
This text examines the city from a street-level perspective and provides readers with tools to conduct research on urbanism—the everyday experiences of people in cities. Carefully selected and edited readings cover participant observation, interviewing, narrative analysis, visual and sensory methods, and methods for (re)presenting the city.