Overview

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We go online to communicate, participate in classes and meetings, and find sources in the library. How can we use these tools to collect data for scholarly research? This course gives an overview of types of data and ways to find and generate them online, and encourages evaluation of your own research.

Syllabus

What Types of Data Collection Can I Conduct Online?
- This module introduces online data collection methods and explores how the internet can be used as a source of research data. You will examine extant and elicited approaches to collecting data online, compare qualitative and quantitative techniques, and evaluate which methods are best suited to different research designs and online research contexts.
How do I Choose the Online Data Collection That Fits My Research?
- This module explores how research design decisions shape online data collection. Building on key considerations such as data type, timeframe, and potential barriers, you will learn how to evaluate your research problem and questions, determine the data needed to address them, and select the most appropriate online data collection approach for your study.
How Can I Find and Get Permission to Use Data That Exists Online?
- This module explores how to identify, access, and use existing online data sources for research. You will examine the opportunities and limitations associated with archived, institutional, and restricted datasets, learn how to navigate access requirements, and develop strategies for selecting and using online data in ways that are both ethically sound and appropriate for your research objectives.
How Can I Find and Gain Consent From Participants Online?
- This module explores the process of recruiting participants for online research. Building on the foundations of online data collection, you will learn how to develop an effective sampling strategy, identify and recruit suitable participants, and establish credibility, trust, and informed consent to support ethical and reliable research.
How Can I Interact With Participants Online?
- This module explores the different ways researchers can interact with participants in online environments to collect qualitative and quantitative data. You will examine a range of questioning methods, including online interviews, surveys, and questionnaires, and learn how to select and apply appropriate technologies and participant engagement techniques to support your research goals.
How Do I Prepare to Start My Online Research?
- This module brings together everything covered throughout the course to help you prepare for successful online research. You will review key decisions relating to data collection, participant recruitment, technologies, and research design, while developing the skills needed to conduct ethical, well-planned, and high-quality online research that aligns with your study objectives.
Gather Your Data Online Glossary and References
- In addition to the glossary you’ll find woven throughout the course, you can find the full glossary collated in one place here.