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Start at the Beginning. How do we collect information to answer questions?. Collecting Information. Three Methods People Generally Use to Collect Information Analyze Content of Objects/Situations Ask Questions Observe Behavior . Collecting Information.
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Start at the Beginning • How do we collect information to answer questions?
Collecting Information • Three Methods People Generally Use to Collect Information • Analyze Content of Objects/Situations • Ask Questions • Observe Behavior
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Questions or Comments, Contact: • Dr. Carol Albrecht • Assessment Specialist USU Ext • carol.albrecht@usu.edu • (979) 777-2421