Qualitative researchers often collect very personal data, whether in interviews or in narratives, diaries, or other records that depict their experiences. One way to protect their identities is by changing their names, and anonymizing the data.

Dr. Linda Bloomberg explains ways to choose datacollection methods while aligning with the selected qualitative methodology.

Learn about participant observation and read open-access articles that explore this approach to collecting data online or in the field.

Focus groups allow us to hear and learn from what participants say to each other. We can conduct focus groups in-person, or online. In this post, find a collection of open-access articles about focus group methods for collecting data.

Hear Dr. Kozinets discuss the origins and development of Netnography in this interview. See the whole series of posts from Kozinets about collecting data for studies using netnography.

Dig into participants' stories with biographical and life history interviews.

How can you conduct online research with children and youth? Here are some open-access examples.

Prepare to analyze and interpret data in qualitative research.

Find a new open access article with tips for online interviews.

Tips for collecting secondary data online.

What is archival research like in the digital age? When do you need to visit a physical archives and look through paper documents?

Find an open-access guide to archival research and links to archives you can visit online.

How can you study a question or problem over time?

Thomas describes her research experience with diary methods.

What is archival research, and why is it useful for social researchers?

What kinds of documents or archived materials fit your study?

Zina O'Leary discusses online data in this guest post.

Collecting data sometimes involves questioning, prompting, or working with participants to collect or generate data. We interview Katy Wheeler and Bethany Morgan Brett, authors of a book about interview research, about collecting data with interviews.

Dr. Zina O’Leary discusses ways to collect data.