Research Methodologies and Data Collection

• Study notes on research methodologies and data collection

Descriptive Research Design

• A research method that primarily focuses on describing the characteristics of a population or phenomenon.

Survey Methods

• Techniques employed to collect data from respondents, including questionnaires and interviews.

Telephone Methods

• Survey methods that involve gathering information through telephone communication.

Traditional Telephone Interviews

• Direct interviews conducted with respondents via telephone.

Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI)

• Telephone interviews that are facilitated and supported by computer technology.

Personal Methods

• Data collection techniques that involve face-to-face interactions with respondents.

Personal In-home Interviews

• Interviews conducted in the respondent's private residence.

Mall-Intercept Personal Interviews

• Personal interviews that are conducted with individuals in shopping malls.

Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI)

• Personal interviews that utilize computer devices for data collection and recording.

Mail Methods

• Survey methods where questionnaires are distributed and collected through postal mail.

Mail Interviews

• Surveys that are sent to respondents and returned to the researcher via postal mail.

Mail Panels

• Longitudinal studies that use a fixed group of respondents who regularly participate in mail surveys over time.

Electronic Methods

• Survey methods that use electronic communication channels to collect data.

Email Interviews

• Surveys conducted by sending questionnaires to respondents via email.

Internet Interviews

• Surveys that are administered to respondents through online platforms and interfaces.

Response Rate

• The percentage of completed surveys out of the total number of attempted surveys.

Structured Observation

• A systematic observation method that uses predefined criteria to record and analyze behavior.

Unstructured Observation

• A flexible observation method that does not use strict guidelines, allowing for a broader range of behaviors to be recorded.

Disguised Observation

• Observation in which subjects are unaware that they are being studied.

Undisguised Observation

• Observation in which the subjects are aware that they are being observed.

Natural Observation

• Observation that takes place in the subject's natural environment.

Contrived Observation

• Observation that takes place in a controlled, artificial setting.

Ethnographic Research

• In-depth study of cultures through observation and immersion.

Social Desirability

• The tendency for respondents to answer questions in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others, which can influence the accuracy of sensitive information.

Incidence Rate

• The rate of eligible participants within a study population.

Respondent Control

• Survey methods that allow respondents to have control over the process enhance cooperation.
• Detailed specification of observations and measurements is a component.
• Monitoring all relevant aspects of a phenomenon also.

Observation Types

• Respondents unaware of being observed use disguised observation.
• Respondents aware they are being observed use undisguised observation.
• Behavior observed in a natural environment is natural observation.
• Behavior observed in an artificial setting is contrived observation.

Data Recording

• Researcher records behavior without manipulation in Personal Observation.
• Data is collected without direct respondent participation in Mechanical Observation.
• Audit refers to data collection through examining physical records.
• Content Analysis is the systematic description of communication's manifest content.
• Trace Analysis refers to data collection based on physical traces of behavior.
• Physical Traces are evidence of past behavior used for analysis.
• Eye-Tracking Monitors: Devices measuring eye movement during observation.
• Pupilometers: Instruments measuring pupil response to stimuli.
• Psychogalvanometers : Devices measuring skin conductance for emotional response.
• Voice Pitch Analyzers: Tools analyzing vocal pitch variations.
• Response Latency Measurement: Timing responses to gauge participant engagement.
• Syndicated Data: Data collected and sold by research firms.
• Quantitative Description: Numerical analysis of communication content.
• Cookies: Data files tracking internet visitors' behavior.
• Observation Methods: Techniques for measuring actual behavior directly.
• Reporting Bias: Inaccuracies from self-reported data.
• Selective Perception: Researcher bias affecting data interpretation.
• Ethical Concerns in Observation: Issues arising from observing without consent.
• Telephone Interviewing: Dominant survey method in North America.
• In-home Personal Interviews: Common survey method in Europe and NICs.
• Mall Intercepts: Surveys conducted in shopping centers.
• Central Location Interviews: Surveys at specific locations, popular in France.
• Mail Interviews: Cost-effective surveys used in literate populations.
• Electronic Surveys: Online questionnaires, limited in developing countries.
• Cultural Incentives: Different rewards to boost survey responses.
• Survey Method Reliability: Consistency of results across different methods.
• Rural Access Issues: Challenges in surveying rural populations.
• Survey Data Collection: Methods for gathering information from respondents.
• International Marketing Research: Study of marketing practices across countries.
• Sociocultural Environments: Cultural factors influencing marketing research methods.
• Survey Method Evaluation: Assessment of advantages and disadvantages of methods.
• Short Surveys on Social Media: Quick questionnaires on platforms like Facebook.
• Long Surveys via Links: Extended questionnaires accessed through site links.
• Comparative Evaluation Tables: Visual summaries comparing research methods.
• Survey Method Adaptation: Adjusting methods to fit cultural contexts.

Social Media Surveys

• Wider Coverage: Social media enables extensive outreach for surveys.
• Simplicity of Implementation: Easy-to-use tools facilitate survey creation.
• Interactive Multimedia Computing: Enhances complexity of survey questions with multimedia.
• Candid Responses: Anonymity encourages honest feedback from participants.
• Improved Accessibility: Links and tags increase survey content visibility.
• Lower Research Costs: Reduces need for large interview teams.
• Multiple Survey Methods: Diverse techniques available, like one-to-one phone surveys.
• Low Social Desirability: Minimizes pressure to conform in responses.
• Instantaneous Results: Polling provides quick feedback and data.
• Nonuser Exclusion: Surveys miss responses from non-social media users.
• Control Difficulties: Survey administration lacks strict oversight.
• Low Response Rate: Clutter in virtual communities may deter participation.
• Spam Perception: Surveys may be disregarded as unwanted messages.
• Confidentiality Issues: Insecure features discourage sharing sensitive data.
• Trace Analysis: Behavior analysis from voluntary consumer posts.
• E-Ethnography: Online ethnographic research through participant blogs.
• Mobile Surveys: Surveys integrated into apps via SDKs.
• SMS Survey Invitations: Text messages sent to invite survey participation.
• Task Factors: Challenges related to mobile survey question diversity.
• Short Survey Norms: Limit of 15 questions, under 15 minutes.
• Sugging: Unethical practice of sales disguised as research.
• Frugging: Fundraising under the pretense of conducting research.
• Invasion of Privacy: Observing behavior without consent raises ethical concerns.
• Cookies Ethics: Use of cookies on the Internet raises privacy issues.

Study notes on research methodologies and data collection, including descriptive research design, survey methods, telephone methods, and personal methods such as in-home interviews and mall-intercept interviews. Covers traditional and computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI).