Many of the principles and procedures that we discuss in research methods culminate in some type of data collection. Whether involving surveys, secondary data from archives or agency records, or qualitative fieldwork, data collection requires careful conceptualization and planning. Locate two academic journal articles from criminology/criminal justice journals that involve different types of data collection procedures. For example, you might select one quantitative and one qualitative article, or you might choose to contrast a study with primary data collection against one that features data from agency records. Your focus should not be on the subject matter or the analysis per se, but rather on the procedural aspects of how the data was collected. Your objective is to explore the data collection choices made by each study’s author(s), offering your own insight on these aspects:
First, identify the type of data being collected for in each study. Is the approach quantitative, qualitative, or mixed? How do the author(s) describe their sampling strategy? In your view, would a different approach to data collection (other than the ones chosen in the example articles) be more fruitful? Why or why not?
Second, describe the procedures that the author(s) have undertaken in each study. What was the response rate in each case? If they asked participants to answer questions, did the process involve surveys (paper-and-pencil, or online) or interviews? If direct observation was involved, how were observations documented for later analysis?
Lastly, what limitations can you identify regarding the data collection procedures in both examples? Were there any issues with missing data? Do you see any apparent problems with validity or reliability? Did the study author(s) comment on these limitations at all, perhaps in the article’s discussion section? In your view, how persuasive were their arguments?
Throughout your paper, you may find it helpful to use compare and contrast statements in order to show similarity or differences in the two example articles you select. Also, remember to provide APA-style citations for your source articles, where appropriate.
