7.3. Data Collection

• What does it mean for a research topic to be focused?

  Narrow in scope
• Steps to formulate a research topic and questions

  1️⃣ Identify a focused research topic

  2️⃣ Ensure the topic is relevant and feasible

  3️⃣ Craft clear and answerable research questions
• A focused research topic addresses specific issues, while a relevant topic tackles significant problems in geography
• Match the data collection method with its technique:

  Field Surveys ↔️ Direct observation and measurement

  Questionnaires ↔️ Structured surveys

  Interviews ↔️ One-on-one conversations

  Remote Sensing ↔️ Satellite or aerial imagery
• Stratified sampling ensures the sample is representative of the population.

  True
• Ethical considerations include respecting participant privacy and obtaining informed consent.

  True
• Quality control during data collection ensures accuracy, completeness, and consistency
• Careful implementation of data collection methods ensures reliable and suitable data for research questions.

  True
• Research questions should be clear, unambiguous, and well-defined.

  True
• What characteristic of data sources refers to their trustworthy collection and processing methods?

  Reliability
• What is the purpose of developing appropriate data collection methods?

  Gather relevant and reliable data
• Developing appropriate data collection methods is essential for gathering relevant and reliable data
• Interviews use purposive sampling based on expertise or experience
• Steps to effectively implement data collection methods:

  1️⃣ Follow planned protocols

  2️⃣ Ensure quality control

  3️⃣ Monitor and adjust as needed

  4️⃣ Uphold ethical standards
• What is the primary ethical consideration in data collection?

  Participant privacy
• Metadata describes the data's content, origin, and structure.

  True
• Reliability refers to the consistency and repeatability of measurements
• A good research topic should be overly broad to address multiple issues.

  False
• Research questions should be ambiguous to allow for multiple interpretations.

  False
• Research questions must relate to spatial, environmental, or human aspects of geography.


  True
• Reliable data is collected using untrustworthy methods.

  False
• Field surveys, questionnaires, interviews, or remote sensing are examples of data collection techniques
• Match the data collection method with its ethical consideration:

  Field Surveys ↔️ Obtain permission to access sites

  Questionnaires ↔️ Secure participant consent

  Interviews ↔️ Protect participant anonymity

  Remote Sensing ↔️ Respect data source copyright
• What ethical standard must be upheld throughout data collection?

  Respect participant privacy
• What characteristic describes a research topic that is narrow in scope?

  Focused
• Formulating a focused research topic and well-crafted research questions provides a strong foundation for the investigation.


  True
• Primary data includes field observations and surveys.


  True
• Purposive sampling is used in interviews to gather insights from experts based on their experience
• Questionnaires typically use random or convenience sampling.


  True
• Match the data collection method with its sampling strategy:

  Field Surveys ↔️ Stratified or systematic sampling

  Questionnaires ↔️ Random or convenience sampling

  Interviews ↔️ Purposive sampling

  Remote Sensing ↔️ No sampling needed
• Regular quality checks are necessary to maintain high standards in data collection.


  True
• Arranging data in a consistent format for easy retrieval is called data structuring
• Ensuring data integrity involves checking for accuracy and completeness.


  True
• Identifying a research topic and formulating research questions are crucial first steps in an independent geographical investigation
• Research questions should be clear, answerable, and geographical
• What characteristic ensures research questions can be addressed through data collection?

  Answerable
• Steps to develop data collection methods

  1️⃣ Choose appropriate techniques

  2️⃣ Select sampling strategies

  3️⃣ Utilize necessary tools

  4️⃣ Consider ethical considerations
• GPS devices and GIS software are examples of data collection tools
• What type of sampling is used in field surveys based on geographical areas?

  Stratified or systematic
• Minor adjustments to data collection methods are acceptable if issues arise during the process.


  True