Collecting

Data collection is the process of acquiring or generating data that will be used to answer research questions, evaluate outcomes, and test hypotheses. Data collection methods vary by discipline and may include clinical or laboratory experiments, surveys and interviews, or analysis of text, video, or audio recordings. You can also reuse existing datasets produced by academic, government, and nonprofit organizations found in specialized databases or cited in published literature.   

Considerations

  • Determine the best methods and instruments for collecting your data
  • Obtain IRB approval if handling sensitive or human-subject data
  • Identify secure data storage solutions, backup strategies, and access controls
  • Estimate the costs associated with managing and sharing your research data
  • Consult with a librarian about how to locate and reuse existing datasets

Resources

  • Data by Subject ​
    Selected data resources categorized by academic discipline.​
     
  • Data Citation Index ​
    A specialized index within Web of Science for locating datasets and their associated papers.​
     
  • ICPSR ​
    The largest repository of social science data in the world.​
     
  • Sage Data ​
    Collection of U.S. and international datasets sourced from governmental, commercial, and private organizations.​
     
  • UN Data ​
    Government data from around the world.​
     
  • Data.gov ​
    U.S. government's open data directory.​
     
  • Sage Research Methods: Data Collection
    An introduction to methods of data collection.
     
  • Rutgers Core Facilities ​
    Find facilities, equipment, and services available at Rutgers to collect data for your research. 
     
  • Rutgers Cloud Storage
    Information about cloud storage options at Rutgers and guidelines for choosing the best service to fit your needs.