Phase 2: Collect Data
Phase 2: Collect Data guides the data collection process by breaking down quantitative and qualitative research methods. A research plan and timeline will be created in this phase, addressing questions like What information might one need to address the research topic? Whose perspectives does one need to understand the issue? What are team members responsibilities? What research methods work best to address the problem? In particular to quantitative research, phase 2 guides surveys' design and administration to provide numerical data that relies on a larger sample size. Using qualitative research, phase 2 instructs the creation of interviews, focus groups, and observations to provide more narrated, visual, and descriptive data. Also, part of qualitative methods is exploring existing sources (primary, secondary, tertiary) that can help address the research topic. In the next phase, Phase 3: Analyzing data, students will then analyze the data collected.
Click the + sign to dropdown the sessions and materials associated with the steps.
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Session #10 is about planning for data collection. After this session, collaborators will have a “research plan” incorporating quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
Session #10: Planning for Data Collection PDF Lesson Plan | Handout: Project Timeline
After completing session #10, choose between quantitative methods (Step 5. A) and/or qualitative methods (Step 5. B) and follow the corresponding sessions.
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Sessions #11-14 will guide collaborators through quantitative methods, developing a hypothesis, constructing a survey, and administering surveys to a sample population.
Session #11: Developing a Hypothesis PDF Lesson Plan | Handout: Developing Hypotheses | Handout: Factors Influencing the Issue
Session #12: Survey Basics and Protocol Development PDF Lesson Plan | Handout: Type of Survey Questions | Handout: Introduction Rubric
Session #13: Creating an Introduction PDF Lesson Plan | Handout: Creating an Introduction
Session #14: Data Collection - Administering the Survey PDF Lesson Plan
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Sessions #15-23 will guide collaborators through qualitative research, developing a research question, interviewing individuals and groups, engaging in participant observations, and learning how to use existing sources as data. Session #23 closes the data collection for qualitative research, a two-part session where collaborators will collect their data.
Session #15: Writing Questions PDF Lesson Plan | Handout - Topic and Question Examples
After completing session #15, decide what qualitative method you will use and follow the designated sessions:
Interviews
Session #16: How to do a Good Interview PDF Lesson Plan | Handout: Steps for a Good Interview
Session #17: Interview Protocol Development PDF Lesson Plan | Handout: Interview Protocol
Focus Groups
Session #18: Focus Group Introduction PDF Lesson Plan
Session #19: Focus Group Facilitation Practices PDF Lesson Plan | Handout: Focus Group Facilitator
Observation
Session #20: Basic Skills of Observations PDF Lesson Plan | Handout: Observation Research Tools | Handout: Preliminary Fieldnotes | Handout: Fieldnote Template
Existing Data
Session #21: Basic Skills of Existing Data Research PDF Lesson Plan
Session #22: Internet Searches PDF Lesson Plan | Handout: Internet Scavenger Hunt
Session #23: Qualitative Data Collection
This session is designed for collaborators to gather their data and can take place in class or on their own time.