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Understanding Information Collection Methods: A Guide to Research Techniques

Effective research begins with the right methods to collect information. This guide explores three essential techniques: Content Analysis, Asking Questions, and Participant Observation. Content Analysis involves examining inanimate objects or media to identify patterns and make generalizations. Asking Questions includes surveys and interviews to gather data on attitudes and behaviors. Participant Observation focuses on observing behaviors to identify trends. Understanding and implementing these methods is crucial for conducting meaningful research. For inquiries, contact Dr. Carol Albrecht at USU Extension.

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Understanding Information Collection Methods: A Guide to Research Techniques

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Start at the Beginning • How do we collect information to answer questions?

  2. Collecting Information • Three Methods People Generally Use to Collect Information • Analyze Content of Objects/Situations • Ask Questions • Observe Behavior

  3. Collecting Information • The research process utilizes data collection techniques that can be classified under each of these commonly used methods. For instance: • Content analysis analyzes the content of inanimate objects. • Surveys ask written questions of program participants to assess the impact of program on attitudes and self reported behavior. • Participant observation outlines how researchers should systematically observe behavior to answer research questions.

  4. Collecting Information • Method One • Content Analysis • Step 1 – Select an Object/Event • Step 2 – Look for Patterns (Similarities/Differences) • Step 3 – Draw Generalizations Through the Process of Induction

  5. Collecting Information • Method One - Example • Content Analysis • Step 1 – Select newspaper headlines from newspapers across times • Step 2 – Are there any patterns in headlines looking across time? • Step 3 – Draw Generalizations Through the Process of Induction

  6. Collecting Information • Method One - Example • Content Analysis • Step 1 – Select Newspaper Headlines • Step 2 – Notice the way people of color are described varies across time • Step 3 – Description of people of color is getting more positive across time

  7. Collecting Information • Method Two • Asking Questions • Step 1 – Select type • Survey • Pre-test/post-test survey • Intensive Interview, etc. • Step 2 – Construct indicators • Step 3 – Collect data by asking questions • Step 4 – Analysis data

  8. Collecting Information • Method Two - Example • Asking Questions • Step 1 – Do pre/post-test surveys • Step 2 – Construct questions to ask about attitudes toward education • Step 3 – Collect questions about attitudes toward education before participation in program and after participation • Step 4 – Use computer program (SAS) to compare differences in attitudes before and after

  9. Collecting Information • Method Three • Participant Observation • Step 1 - Observe behavior • Step 2 – Observe patterns of behavior • Step 3 - Draw Generalizations based on the Process of Induction

  10. Collecting Information • Method Three - Example • Participant Observation • Step 1 – Observe boys and girls playing • Step 2 – Notice that boys play with building blocks and girls play with dolls • Step 3 – Boys play with toys that lead to more achievement oriented activities while girls play with toys that lead to more nurturing oriented activities

  11. The Research Process • Deciding on how you will collect your information is an important part of the research process and should be done before you begin • Please Note: You can use more than one method to collect data for a single project

  12. Questions or Comments, Contact: • Dr. Carol Albrecht • Assessment Specialist USU Ext • carol.albrecht@usu.edu • (979) 777-2421

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