Description

When text production involves empirical work, time constraints often require decisions to be made early in the process about the data collection method and the research design. It may be necessary to make these decisions before one is even convinced of the goal of the work or before the research question has been precisely defined. The method of data collection is only one component. In addition, there are the processes that are necessary to make the data accessible to an evaluation, and of course the evaluation itself. These processes are an important factor for time planning that is often underestimated.

Strategies for dealing with the challenges

Examine:

  • What knowledge do I have for the implementation of the method I prefer?

  • How do I get the data I need? What channels are available to me? Qualitative studies often require people/institutions to talk to. Quantitative surveys need to be able to be disseminated/distributed.

  • Am I able to prepare the data for analysis? For example, interview data usually needs to be transcribed to make it available for analysis.

  • What software do I need to process my data? Am I familiar with these tools?

If possible, clarify these questions before you sign up for your thesis, for example. In writing consulting, we repeatedly deal with students who underestimate this phase in terms of its complexity and the time required.

Counseling

The Methodology Center at Leuphana University offers students a wide range of opportunities to expand their methodological expertise. This also includes an individual counseling offer.



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SOURCES


(Info) How to cite this page

Knorr, Dagmar (2020): Data collection and analysis phase. Wiki "Schreiben im Studium | Academic Writing". Leuphana University Lüneburg, Schreibzentrum / Writing Center. <https://lehrwiki.leuphana.de/display/SWCRessourcen/Data+collection+and+analysis+phase>

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