Measurement/Data Collection Methods

Part 1: Measurement

As part of your research proposal in this course, you will need to develop measurement procedures for each variable/research question. The purpose of this assignment is for you to practice developing measurement/data collection procedures for your study.

State your research question. Then, list all of the variables in your study (these should be clear in your RQ).

For each variable you listed, present the measurement procedure(s) you will use in your study. For any variable that is not demographic/categorical in nature (e.g., gender, control vs. treatment group membership, etc.), you must locate an existing measuring instrument (scale) that is an appropriate measure of the variable in your study and provide the name of this instrument. Be sure to include an appropriate citation for each measurement instrument you use.

Provide actual copies of instruments (surveys, questionnaires, scales, etc.) that you will be using. In the case that the full instrument is not published (or requires payment to obtain), simply state that and describe the instrument and include sample questions from the instrument (be sure to include a citation for this).

State the data collection procedure(s) you developed for this study. Your data collection procedures may be interviews, focus groups, observations, etc.

Provide the questions or form you will use to gather data using your technique. For example, if you are going to conduct interviews, provide the list of questions you will ask.

If you are going to do observations, turn in a detailed outline of how you plan to complete the observations and include the table, form, or rubric used to take observation notes if applicable.

Part 2: Data Collection Methods and Analysis

Now your task is to describe how you plan to collect your data in enough detail so that your study could be replicated. The key to doing well on this part of the assignment is to include enough detail in your descriptions so that someone else could collect your data.

Describe specifically how, when, and where the data will be collected. Be as detailed and precise as possible the details and description of the data collection process should provide enough information that the study could be replicated. For example, you may discuss:
How will the survey (if applicable) be administered? On paper? Online? Telephone? Face-to-face?

How will interviews (if applicable) be scheduled? When and where will they occur?

When will data be collected? At the beginning or end of an intervention (e.g., pre-test/post-test format)?

Where will the data be collected? At a meeting? In a classroom? Somewhere else?