Data Analysis Report: Assessing Types and Sources of Data for Research

This report delves into the crucial aspects of data analysis, focusing on the identification of a research question and the subsequent data requirements. The student identifies the research question: "What is the role of administrative data found in big data in social science research?" The report reflects on the development of this question, emphasizing the impact of administrative data on social science and the potential of big data for research. It then outlines the process of identifying necessary data, including the importance of primary, secondary, qualitative, and quantitative data. The core of the report focuses on data creation, detailing various data collection methods like quantitative methods, questionnaires, structured observation, document analysis, and experiments. Each method's uses, strengths, and limitations are thoroughly analyzed, alongside ethical considerations. The conclusion summarizes the importance of effective data collection for conducting accurate and efficient research. The report underscores the significance of ethical practices in research and the importance of choosing the right data collection methods to achieve the desired research outcomes.

Reflecting on types and
sources of data

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Identifying a question:.................................................................................................................1
Reflection of development of question:......................................................................................1
Identifying what data will be needed:.........................................................................................2
Creating data:..............................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Data collection can be define as a process of gathering as well as measuring information.
There are various type of data collection methods which will help in gathering important data
and information (Yurkovich and et.al., 2015). Data and information is collected for a propose
which is used to resolve some specific problem. In this report a particular question has been
identified and it consist of reflection regarding development of questions. There are different
types of data and information will be needed in order to carefully analyse as well as evaluate
research questions. Apart from this data is created which consist of range of data collection
methods with there uses as well as strengths or limitation. Respective report consist of
importance of ethical consideration in collecting and creating data.
MAIN BODY
Identifying a question:
I have identified that most suitable question for this research will be “What is the role of
administrative data found in big data in social science research.” I have selected this question in
order to analyse different role of administrative data as well as its impact on social science
research. There are various new opportunities and trends in market area which will have positive
impact on social science research. Administrative data refers to those data which is collected by
organisation in order to collect detail about their operations. This type of data is very helpful
collecting appropriate data for taking better decision as well as developing effective and efficient
strategies. By analysing roles of administrative data which is found in big data will help in
dealing with challenges that is associated with business issues. These are the for choosing this
question as administrative data which have huge potential in developing high quality and as well
as impactful social science research.
Reflection of development of question:
For developing this question I have considered many field and area which inspire me to
successful develop this question. Big data term is huge trend in social science field as it will help
in analysing different trends in more effective and efficient manner. I have clearly analysed as
well as evaluate each and every aspect in order to develop this question. Impact of administrative
data on social science is the major reason for developing this question. Big data is considered as
1

a powerful new resources for conducting social science research. I have studied different
component of social science which have developed curiosity in me to analyse all these aspects in
detail so that better information can be identified. This research question will help in solving
different issues related to human behaviour as well as social phenomenon as well as
understanding these term more clearly. For developing the respective question I have studied
behaviour of human as well as different social phenomenon. So that better and more answerable
question can be created. I have clearly evaluated role of administrative data that is very essential
in conducting effective and efficient research. The aim of developing this question is that
identify what are the major roles of administrative data in big data in the research of social
science.
Identifying what data will be needed:
There are different type of data which will help in conducting an effective and efficient
research report. As an investigator I need to identify all the possible methods for collecting data
as per the actual need of information (Torabi and et.al., 2015). It is very important for identifying
what type of data is needed so that better strategies and decision to conduct research can be
analysed. Identification of data needs is essential for obtaining specific data or information about
the research so that that perform and appropriate research data could be collected. Data can be
gathered from different sources such as primary, secondary, qualitative and quantitative data.
This will be very helpful for me as through this I can evaluate different types of data collection
method. For identifying that what are the different types of data that will be requirement by me
in order to conduct this research in more effective manner. This data will be helpful in answering
all those questions that is necessary for answering all the required answers of the respective
question. There is a proper process for identifying what type of data will be need and this process
is mention below.
Identifying purpose: For identifying which type of data will be more suitable for this
research and answering question of research topic. This is the first step as in this I have clearly
identify the purpose of this research.
Describing data needs: After analysing the purpose of the research, I have to describe
the need and importance of data so that better decision could be taken. This will help in
collecting correct and appropriate data.
2

Identify data that should be kept: In this step I have analysed all those important data
which is essential for answering question as well as conducting and effective and efficient data.
Through this step I wan able to identify which data should be kept as per research requirement.
Analysing cost: After determining all of the important data that should be kept for
conducting accurate and appropriate research it is essential to analyse the cost. Primary data
sources are comparative more expansive to the secondary sources.
Taking decision: In this the last stage and in this I have taken which type of data will be
more needed for this research. This whole process is very helpful for me to take better decision
which is cost effective and lead to conduct research project in more effective and efficient
manner.
Creating data:
In this section I have to create a data which is very important and useful for conducting
research in more effective and efficient manner (Thuries and Gillet, 2016). This consist of
different components which lead to analyse various methods of data collection, different uses of
each and every method. Strength and weakness of method has been identified as well as ethical
consideration has been determined in order to develop and create strong data.
Method of data collection- There are different type of method for collecting data and
information for this research topic. Different method of data collection are mention below. Quantitative method: This type of data collection method has more emphasis on
measuring data into statistical and mathematical form. Quantitative method is a
systematic form of investigating data and analysing results. Questionnaire: In this method I have to create a set of questions that should be answer by
different individual in order to collect their view point. Questionnaire is refer as primary
source of data collection by conducting survey. Structured observation: This is a method of collecting data in which I have to collect
data by direct involvement or observing the situations clearly. Document analysis or content analysis: This can be consider as a type of secondary data
and in this I have to clearly analyse as well as understand document and contents.
 Experiment: In this source of data collection I have to conduct a proper experiment that
that will help in collecting and gathering informative data.
3

Use of each methods- In this I have to analyse uses of each and every method so that
better method could be chosen. Quantitative method: This method is useful for collecting attitude, opinions, behaviours
of large sample population. Questionnaire: This method is helpful in collecting view points of other in order to
collect more appropriate and accurate data. Structured observation: This is useful in collecting in depth information and data to
conduct a research. Document analysis or content analysis: In this useful for getting documented
information that is helpful in providing meaningful data.
 Experiment: This is helpful in collecting independent information which is find out due
to analysing results.
Strengths and limitation of method – There are various strength and limitation of each
and every method of data collection. Quantitative method: Strength of this method is to identify more valid and reliable
results where as its weaknesses is that is require more number which is difficult to
quantify. Questionnaire: Strength is that it provide real and actual data of the research and it
limitation is that it is more cost consuming method. Structured observation: It provide right and appropriate information and drawback is
that require high knowledge for conducting this method.
 Document analysis or content analysis: Strength of this method is that it is very cost
effective and limitation is it does not provide accurate information.
Ethical consideration – It is very important to consider ethical practices while
conducting a research. I have considered ethical practices and provide right and accurate
information and data in this research.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that data collection is an crucial part for
collecting more appropriate and accurate information. Research needs to gather more data and
information so that they conduct research in more effective and efficient manner.
4

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Yurkovich, M. and et.al., 2015. A systematic review identifies valid comorbidity indices derived
from administrative health data. Journal of clinical epidemiology. 68(1). pp.3-14.
Torabi, A. and et.al., 2015. Using descriptive video services to create a large data source for
video annotation research. arXiv preprint arXiv:1503.01070.
Thuries, S. and Gillet, A., Intermec IP Corp, 2016. Automatic data collection apparatus and
method. U.S. Patent 9,400,906.
5