Data Collection

Group Assignment, MPhil Art and Design

Members: Zarminah Mahsud, Afsheen Zaman, Najam Us Saqib, Samreen Aziz
and Junaid Rehman
Why do research?
 In the course of reading the literature on a topic or when reflecting on what is
going on in modern social life, questions occur
 We may notice a gap in the literature or an inconsistency between a number
of studies or an unresolved issue in the literature
 Such conditions trigger further research
 Also, when there is a development in society that provides an interesting
starting point
 For example, widespread use of mobile messaging apps could have a
researcher become interested in studying how far it has affected the nature
and quality of interaction in social life
 Exploring such an issue the researcher might draw upon the literature on
technology and on social interaction to provide insights into how to approach
the issue – to fulfil unresolved understanding (Bryman, 2012)
Problem vs Topic
 “Unconscious methodological habit of focusing on topics rather than problems” Eidlin’s
(2011) critique on method of topic and contrasting it with method of problem, in
research
 Eidlin contrasts ideas like,
 Locke’s (1996) clean slate to be written, afresh, “ingrained” in the scientific method advanced
by Francis Bacon in the early 17th century
 Aggasi’s, (1975) mere observation of facts
 Quinton’s (1980,55) accumulation of understanding
 Jarvie’s (2003) letting Nature dictate her knowledge
 Against, proposed, method of problem, as alternative based in views like,
 Popper’s (1972, 1976) search of knowledge not from perception, observation knowledge or
data but from problems. And having questions in mind that might be decided by observation
 Davis’s (1971) “a new theory will be noticed only when it denies an old truth (proverb,
platitude, maxim, adage, saying, common-place, etc.).”
 Much Classical and contemporary social science is problem driven – Marx, Freud, Pareto,
Keynes, Nisbet or Plato, Hobbes, Machiavelli, Rousseau, Constant to name a few
examples (Eidlin, 2011)
Elements of Research Process
 Literature Review
 What is already known about the topic, key contributors and their work
 Concepts and Theories
 Concepts help us make sense of the social world, such as bureaucracy, power, social control,
status
 Research Question
 what is it about our area of interest that we want to know
 Data Collection
 establishing in advance the broad contours of what a researcher needs to find out about and
designs research instruments to implement what needs to be known. Instruments are,
questionnaire, interview etc.
 Data Analysis
 From applying statistical techniques to transcribing, coding for thematic analysis
 Writing up
 Sharing the research and its findings to readers in a structured and well-articulated manner
Developed from Bryman, 2012
Data Collection
 Data is information that can be from statistics, web material, newspaper
archives, interview transcripts in journal articles, books report
 Data collection methods
 The process employed for collecting data – could be an inductive or deductive
approach
 Secondary method of data collection
 When collecting already generated data like from published articles or books,
newspapers etc.
 Primary method of data collection
 Collecting never generated before data with first hand filed research. Takes more
time and effort to collect
Methods of Data Collection
 Secondary method of data collection
 Although comparatively easier to collect, however still requires care and
consideration in selection of sources based on relevance, authenticity, validity and
reliability
 Primary method of data collection
 Mainly in two groups – Qualitative research and Quantitative research
 However, mixed method approach are also adopted which comprises of both
qualitative and quantitative data collection methods
Primary method of data collection
 Quantitative Data
 Quantitative research is the process of collecting and analysing numerical data
 It can be used to find patterns and averages, make predictions, test causal
relationships, and generalize results to wider populations
 Qualitative Data
 It involves collecting and analysing non-numerical data like text, video, or audio to
understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can be used to gather in-depth
insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research
 Methods include interviews, questionnaires with open-ended questions, focus
groups, observation, game or role-playing, case studies etc.
Types of Data
 Observational
 Also known as observational study data, is collected by observing and recording
events, behaviours, or phenomena as they naturally occur without interference or
manipulation
 Complete Observer
 Method of unobtrusive study of participants to minimise Hawthorne Effect
 Observer as Participant
 Method of study of participants with limited involvement, playing a neutral role
 Participant as Observer
 Method of full engagement with participants
 Complete Participant
 Method of embedded study of participants without their knowledge of intentions
Types of Data
 Experimental
 Experimental data are collected through active intervention by the researcher to
produce and measure change or to create difference when a variable is altered
 Experimental data typically allows the researcher to determine a causal
relationship and is typically projectable to a larger population
 Simulation
 Data simulation is the process of generating synthetic data that closely mimics the
properties and characteristics of real-world data
 Derived
 Derived data is new data created by combining and processing existing raw data
 Derived data can be created from observational, experimental, and simulation data
– but not previously derived data
Ethics in Research
 The role of values in the research process is a topic of concern
 They revolve around such issues as:
 How should we treat the people on whom we conduct research?
 Are there activities in which we should or should not engage in our relations with
them?
 Professional associations, such as the British Sociological Association (BSA) and
the Social Research Association (SRA), which have formulated codes of ethics
 University of Peshawar researchers code of conduct?
 Data Protection
 Data Protection Act 1998 (UK), GDPR (EU) is a comprehensive privacy legislation
that applies across sectors and to companies of all sizes
 Fair and lawful processing of data, for limited purpose, in line with rights, secure,
etc.
Thank You