Chapter 3 Data Collection in Geography from An

Chapter 3 Data Collection in Geography from An Introduction to Scientific Research Methods in Geography By Daniel Montello & Paul Sutton

Objectives • What are the distinction between primary and secondary data sources? • What are the five major types of data collection? • What are some of the ways geographers and others have made a distinction between quantitative and qualitative, and how do they relate to scientific and humanistic approaches in geography?

Data Sources Primary • Data collected specifically for the purpose of a researcher’s particular study • Tailored to a specific research question Secondary • Data Collected for another purpose by someone other then the researcher

Which to use? • Choosing whether to use primary or secondary data sources will depend on topical area of research

Types of Data Collection Physical Measurements Behavior Explicit Reports Archives Computational Modeling

Physical Measurements • Data collected by recording physical properties of earth or its inhabitants • Physical properties include: – Size and number, temperature, chemical makeup, moisture content, texture and hardness, the reflectance and transmissivity of electromagnetic energy (including optical light), air speed and pressure…etc.

Behavior • Overt and potentially observable actions or activities of individuals or groups of people • Can be coded into categories

Archives • Existing records http: //images. google. com/images? hl=en&rlz=1 G 1 GGLQ_ENUS 279&um=1&sa=1&q=national+archives+building&aq=0&oq= national+archives&aqi=g 4 g-m 1&start=0

Explicit Reports • People’s expression of their beliefs about themselves, others, places, events, activities, or objects • Surveys or interviews – No right or wrong answers

Computational Modeling • A type of data collection involving the output of a computational model, a model of theoretical structures and processes expressed in mathematical form, typically a computer http: //images. google. com/images? hl=en&rlz=1 G 1 GGLQ_ENUS 279&um=1&q=image+of+a+computer&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=18

Intro to Quantitative and Qualitative Methods Quantitative Qualitative Both are on a continuum or are two distinct categories The distinction between the two is not just whether a researcher uses numbers but also data collection techniques

Quantitative Methods • Those that impose a relatively great amount of prior structure on collection data Qualitative Methods • Involve less prior structure on data collection

Review Questions? ? ? • How are primary and secondary data sources used in geographic research? • What role have ideas about quantitative and qualitative methods played in the 20 th century history of geography as an academic discipline?