Tips for writing your data collection procedures
Your data collection plan is a crucial key to developing a sound study. The plan indicates how you will access and gather information from your participants. A clear data collection plan at the proposal stage can alleviate stress and ensure that future researchers can replicate your study. Additionally, a clear data collection plan will help ensure that you obtain the information you need to answer your research questions. Below are some suggestions for creating a solid data collection plan.
First, outline your steps to see where your data collection procedures should begin and end. This will help you organize your process. Next, include all the steps you will take, from obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval to collecting and preparing your data for analysis. A simple bulleted list of these steps will suffice for this part.
From there, cross reference this list with your research questions and the variables in each research question. Ensure you have an instrument for each variable and include them in your outline. Then, proceed to write a detailed draft of your data collection procedures. However, before you do that, you may want to take some time to have an accountability partner review your work. First, this person should act as a sounding board and provide basic feedback on your work. Then, describe the purpose of your study, outline the research questions, and specify the data you need to address those questions. Afterward, let them review your outline and double-check to ensure all necessary data collection steps are included.
Now, you’re ready to transform your outline into the data collection draft. First, ensure that you maintain the appropriate tone and wording as you craft your doctoral-level narrative. Think of this as a recipe that your dissertation committee, IRB, and future researchers can follow to understand and replicate your study. As you write, aim for a draft that is succinct, clear, and comprehensive.
Once you complete the narrative, compare it to the outline to ensure you’ve addressed everything. Then, review your school’s template or guidelines for the data collection section to confirm you’ve covered all required points.
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