[RESEARCH METHODOLOGY - UNIT? SOURCES OF DATA, ‘What Is “Research Dats? Data are istinet pieces of information, ‘usually formatted ina special way. datas the plural of dari, a single piece of information In practice, however, people use data as both the singular and plural form ofthe word. Indatabase management systems, data files are the files that store the database informatio. ge ae eee oe Beene on =e a ae Be reasons Research data can be generated fr different purposes and through different processes, ‘and ean be divided into different categories. Each category may require adiffeat type ‘of data management plan. ‘Observational: data captured in real-sime, usually ireplaceable. For example.sensor dats, survey dat, sample data, neurological megs. Experimental: data from lab equipment, often reproducible, but can be ‘expensive. For example, gene sequences, chromatograms, Simulation dta generated from test models ‘+ Forecample, climate models, economie models Derived or compiled: data is reproducible but expensive. ‘+ Porecample, text and data mining, compiled database, 3D mods. DravsymieT/ane 1© Reference or canonical: a (static or organic) conglomeration or collection of smaller (peerceviewed) datasets, most probably published and curated, For example, gene sequence databanks, chemical structures, or spatial data portals ‘Research data may include all ofthe following: ‘Text or Word documents, spreadsheets Laboratory notebooks, field notebooks, diaries uestonnaies, transcripts, codebooks Audiotapes, videotapes Photographs, films : Test responses ‘Slides, artifacts, spesimens, samples Collection of digital objects acquired and generated during the process of esearch Data files Database contents including video, audio, text, aes Models, algorithms, scripts e Ns ooeeesee see Cones of an applition sah a np, s The following research recordy AY ako be important to manage dorng and beyond the life of a project: Correspondence including electronic mail and _paper-baxcd correspondence Project files Grant eppications hes applications “Technical reports Research reports Master ists Signed consent forms eoeeeee © Data vs. Information Data ae plain foes. ‘When data are processed, organized, sructured or presented ina given context so as +o make them useful, they are called information. It isnot enough to have data (such a statistics on the economy). Data in themselves are fairly useless. pausurT/aa 2But when these data ate interpreted and processed to determine their true meaning, they become useful and canbe called information ACCESS TO DATA Soeeeeees Information re-search Resources for data come in many formats. Books Videotapes Encyclopedias physical files ‘Compact dises ‘Maps, pitures, chars, diagrams Online sources . ‘Almanacs Subject-specific handbooks Mio ofcommunetglaformain Mite pot oral presentation, interview A s iy ode <é a os Sicha pate pms of ‘ue 3 videotape 9 Vyperead dll newpaper Sue ers peer Access data thro’ Information Retrieval from... privsyieT/an Computer andor card catalogue coROM intemet email encyclopedia indexes computer databases© bibiographies © cephone and other divectoras @ ua nformation Filtering and Evaluation ‘+ Analyze appropriateness of resources + Evaluate lity of resources * Recognize that information can be slanted through sources, viewpoint, and time * Re-evaluate or monitor esearch strategy Toformat Processing > tty at we sprite sees is fr racing ed mrtg ‘ie < > dentfy and apply given strategS®* and skills for interpreting and compiling information from several sources < Evaluate whether information Woe has been met > Re-evaluate or monitor research strategy as needed NATURE, TYPES AND SOURCES OF DATA. Dowdy classified a. primary data 3 secondary data PRIMARY DATA... > data collotd for the fet time > through field survey omrs/eT/ RM 4colected with specifi st of objectives toassess the current status of any variable studied always reveal the cross section picture of any thing staied SECONDARY DATA... > > the information or facts already collected collected withthe objective of understanding the past status of any variable data collected and reported by some source is accessed and used for the objective ofa study ‘SOURCES OF INFORMATION - PRIMARY DATA uesionsr hee ; s inevioe € é beeaon & me Feteiin eae ee Pay at Conse ae Calin throgh mesh devi Proje tetigus Contentanalyss ‘SOURCES OF INFORMATION - SECONDARY DATA. Books Periodicals Journas revs HET/AM sResearch thesis and disertations Bibliographies Ftnotes Encyclopaedia Stic datasource Directories Yearbooks ISSUES , PROBLEMS IN USING SECONDARY DATA Data reliability Suitability of data Adequacy of data Continuity of data Selection of appropiate gl of data collection (Nature, scope and obj the data collection Budget constraints Avallabiliy fie Degree ofsecurcy desired Period of study Drvs/He"/aMas/HET/RM