Internet, Secondary Analysis, and Historical Research
Chapter 16
Internet, Secondary Analysis, and Historical Research
Uses of the Internet in Research
Search capabilities provide access to resources
Participants can be recruited
Efficient way to collect data, especially data on socially undesirable behavior and sensitive topics
Tracks Internet behavior for potential research topics
2
Recruiting Participants for Internet-Based Research
Opt-in panels
Prerecruited panels
List-based sampling
Harvested email addresses
Self-selected surveying
Pop-up surveys
3
Participant Testing and Interviewing
Computer-assisted testing (CAT) has improved how we test participants
Questionnaires can be designed so participants are not asked inapplicable questions
Response time is more precisely measured than when done manually
Complex scoring of results can be done automatically
4
Quality Considerations in Internet-Based Research
Hard-to-reach groups may be accessed
Some segments of the population cannot be reached via the internet
Sensitive topics are more easily discussed
Participants may try to provide the “right” answer but in fact are giving inauthentic responses
5
Special Ethical Concerns in Internet-Based Research
Questions or privacy and what constitutes public information are complicated in Internet-based research
Be sure to follow ethical guidelines so you do not encounter a denial of approval from your IRB
6
Secondary Data Analysis
Secondary analysis is the reanalysis of existing databases asking a different question
The data can be quantitative or qualitative, but secondary analysis is more common for quantitative work
7
Sources of Datasets
Government-created or sponsored datasets at national, state, and local levels
Large clinical trials
Smaller datasets
8
Advantages of Secondary Analysis
Eliminates several steps in the research process, saving time and money
Additional use of existing databases
Often provides larger databases than you would otherwise have the resources to accumulate
9
Advantages of Secondary Analysis
Databases have been cleaned
Quality of the data is often high, reflecting the expertise of those who directed the work
Usually there is some evidence for acceptable reliability and validity of the data
10
Disadvantages of Secondary Analysis
It is often difficult to find a database containing the desired information
The sample may not be exactly what is most desirable for the new research question
Much of the information in large databases is based upon a single question rather than on in-depth questions or testing
11
Disadvantages of Secondary Analysis
Data often are not in the ideal form for the planned analysis and variables may not be in desired form
Data may not be set up in the manner needed to conduct analysis so complex transformations may be needed
12
Disadvantages of Secondary Analysis
The software used to create the database may not be entirely compatible with your statistical analysis software
13
Selecting a Topic for a Historical Study
When selecting a topic for a historical study consider:
How much preparation you have to conduct the study
Familiarity with the historical era being considered
Potential contribution the study could make
What is already known on the topic
14
Composing a Title for a Historical Study
Historical research titles are important because they:
Inform the reader of the topic
Entice the reader to read further
Help the researcher stay focused
15
Sources of Information for Historical Research
Interviews of individuals who were involved
Archives of original documents
Recordings, photographs, and objects of the event where relevant
Relevant statistical information may also be available
16
Rules for Estimating Quality of Data
Two independent primary sources that corroborate/establish a fact
One primary source corroborated by a secondary source with no contrary evidence also establishes fact
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Rules for Estimating Quality of Data
Data from one primary source with no substantial contradictory evidence or from two primary sources with only minor disagreement establishes probability
Data from secondary sources only provide a possibility
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Organizing Frameworks for Writing an Historical Study
Time sequence beginning with the earliest events to the latest ones
Geographic organization by area, state, and country
By topic or category
By activities of primary actors
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Organizing Frameworks for Writing an Historical Study
Great person
Political or economic forces
Social forces
Psychological framework (explanation of the thinking of people involved)
20
Synthesis of an Historical Study
Gives meaning to the information collected
Commentary on a historical event or leader, what it meant at the time, and what it tells us about the present time and future
Provides a new perspective on present day issues
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