This document provides guidance on developing an effective data collection plan. It recommends identifying the question being asked, determining what data is needed to answer it, and assessing what existing and new data sources are available. Existing sources include lesson plans and student work, while new data can come from surveys, interviews, and observations. The plan should use multiple data sources, collect both quantitative and qualitative data regularly, and seek feedback to ensure the data will answer the research question.

1. Developing a data collection plan
TIIICL Workshop
Summer 2005

2. Types of data: Existing and
archival
• Lesson plans
• Student work
• Other artifacts

3. Types of data: Generated data
• Surveys
• Checklists
• Interviews
• Outside observers
• Photo evidence
• Tape/video recordings

4. Developing a data collection plan
First write down a statement of your
question. Then answer the following
questions:

5. Developing a data collection plan
• What do you need to know?
• What types of data will provide you with the
information that you need?
• What types of data are already available to
you (existing archival sources and other
artifacts)?

6. Developing a data collection plan
• What types of data do you need to
generate?
• What instruments will you need to
generate and collect data?

8. Guidelines and Recommendations for
Data Collection
• Use multiple data sources.
• Collect existing archival data
immediately, then move to conventional
and inventive sources.
• Collect data regularly.
• Seek technical assistance

9. Points to keep in mind
• Keep it simple;
• Pay attention to both quantitative and
qualitative data;
• Schedule time to organize data;
• Discuss the data with “critical friends”; and
• Seek technical assistance.

10. Check of data collection
plan
• Is there congruence between your question
and the data sources that you identified?
• Are you using multiple data sources to
clarify the picture being developed?
• Are you gathering data frequently enough
so that it can be used to inform your current
practice as well as your future actions?

11. Check of data collection
plan
• Are you collecting data about how
students/faculty/administration/parents feel
and perceive their experiences?
• Are you collecting data about how you feel
and perceive your experiences?

12. Triangulation
• Triangulate with multiple sources of data
• Triangulate with multiple explanations