Methods

of Collection Definitions

Questionnaires:
Questionnaires can include paper questionnaires, or web based
questionnaires. This method of collection includes a set of questions
and/or statements where participants are asked to respond based on their
own previous experiences. The questionnaire can include information on a
variety of topics. Be aware of leading questions as discussed in Lesson 4.

Experiments:

Experiments can be planned and pursued in a variety of different ways.

Experiments start with a question that you seek to answer, and must
include a dependent variable and an independent variable. Remember, an
independent variable is a fixed variable, one that can be controlled.

Databases:

This method of collection is more open-ended and has less structure.

Databases are usually acquired by asking your participants different types
of questions on one subject area and entering their answers into a table or
spreadsheet. Participants can be interviewed more than once to determine
whether or not their initial answers were reliable.