Research Project.

LECTURE: DATA COLLECTION & PRESENTATION

Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted variables in an established system, which then enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes.

There are various ways for researchers to collect data. It is important that this data come from credible sources, as the validity of the research is determined by where it comes from.

Government Websites

One of the best sources that researchers can use to collect data is government websites. Almost everything listed on government websites has been fact checked. To research and collect data from government websites, all the student must do is type "site:gov" in the search box after your search term. For example, if you are wanting to research the benefits of data for private prisons, you can type "benefits of data for private prisons site:gov" in the search box, and all of the sites listed in the search results are going to come from government websites. All government websites end in .gov.

Education Websites

Much the same as government websites, educational websites are great places to pull credible data from. And just as you use a special search technique to find government websites, you can do the same for educational websites. All the student needs to do is follow your search term with ".edu." Using the example above, your search term would be "benefits of data for customer experience site:edu."

Use the Library

The library is a great place to turn when students need data. At the library, you can use a card catalog to direct your research efforts. Some research materials are available only on film and/or Criminal Justice databases. Make sure to ask the AMSC Librarian, Ms. Chambers, about any sources, data bases or microfiche film items. The librarian can point you in the direction of the machine that you need to read the information on the films.

Interviews and Surveys

You can always turn to interviews and surveys to collect data for your research. In fact, interviews with real people are one of the best ways to get real data. You can set up meetings to gather research data to perform interviews.

Use the Internet

In addition to .edu and .gov websites, the other sites on the internet are also a great resource for data. It is important that students’ fact check all the information that they choose to use. This means that you need to check where the information was pulled from. And if you find that the information was pulled from a source that has another source, it is essential to check that source as well. The goal is to make sure the data is coming from a source that is legitimate and an expert in the relevant field.

The Community

A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. A feeling of fellowship with others, because of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

TIPS FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH ANALYSIS/ EVALUATION

https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/abstractdb/AbstractDBDetails.aspx?id=67081

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Abstract Database

Stay Informed Register with NCJRS  to receive NCJRS's biweekly e-newsletter JUSTINFO and additional periodic emails from NCJRS and the NCJRS federal sponsors that highlight the latest research published or sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs.

NCJRS Abstract

To download this abstract, check the box next to the NCJ number then click the "Back To Search Results" link. Then, click the "Download" button on the Search Results page. Also see the  Obtain Documents  page for direction on how to access resources online, via mail, through interlibrary loans, or in a local library.

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DATA PRSESENTATION

Putting every piece of data, you have collected into a pie chart, histogram, scatter graph, bar charts is required. Some data presentation activities allow for students to simply type the collected data into a spreadsheet package such as Microsoft Excel and selecting one of their generic data presentation techniques to address the research questions they are trying to answer.

Common Pitfalls:

• Presenting data that has nothing to do with a research question. If the data does not have a role in the answering of the main aims of the study then it should be ignored, even if a lot of time was spent collecting that particular set of data.

• Presenting only some of data. If you think you will want to draw conclusions from it or refer to the data in some supportive way, it must be presented.

• Using inappropriate and generic data presentation techniques. Selecting a data presentation technique simply from a drop down menu in a computer-based spreadsheet shows a lack of imagination and there is a danger that a poor selection will result in demonstrating a lack of understanding of the complexity of the data in question.

• Using a data presentation technique which is inappropriate for the data itself. Think carefully about the type of data (continuous or discrete) and whether the technique you have chosen is appropriate for that type of data.

• Using the same data presentation technique that is expressed in the original research piece. Students can only use the date, results or finding from a research source – not the analysis techniques.

• Combining more than one data presentation together. Remember, the aim is to make the data, patterns and relationships easy to see, not to create confusion for the reader.

• Presenting the same piece of data more than once. This can waste time and effort – choose the most appropriate technique only. If that technique does not show everything you want it to, it is not the right technique to use.

• Using techniques in an inaccurate fashion. Spend time checking that you have labelled keys and axes appropriately – marks can be easily lost without these checks.