Lesson Report:
**Lesson Report**
### **Title: Data Collection Strategies and Research Methodology Refinement**
In this session, students focused on refining their data collection strategies, ensuring their methodology aligns with their research objectives. The instructor emphasized the importance of structured data collection and provided extensive feedback on various research projects. Discussions explored primary and secondary sources, challenges in acquiring data, and strategies for validating and structuring research findings. The session also addressed logistical concerns, such as Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, interview planning, and adjusting methodologies to meet the upcoming submission deadline.
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### **Attendance**
– One student was explicitly mentioned as absent (Bober).
– Several students attended and engaged in discussions about their research strategies.
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### **Topics Covered**
#### **1. Deadline Extension and Class Objectives**
– The instructor extended the deadline for Chapters 2 and 3 to Tuesday, March 11, granting students additional time to refine their research.
– Due to prior class cancellations for accreditation, the session aimed to solidify students’ confidence in data collection and analysis.
#### **2. Review of Operationalization Maps and Transition to Data Collection**
– Students previously submitted operationalization maps, which serve as the foundation for breaking down research questions into measurable components.
– The main focus shifted toward building sound data collection strategies.
#### **3. Reporting Current Research Progress**
– Students were asked to compile brief reports outlining their:
– Research question
– Data collection strategy (types of sources, databases, filtering mechanisms)
– Challenges faced and anticipated solutions
#### **4. Challenges in Data Collection and Solutions**
– **Source Triangulation:** Example given using Afghanistan research, where verifiable sources are scarce. Students were encouraged to cross-reference data from multiple sources to improve credibility.
– **Interviews vs. Secondary Sources:** Students debated the efficacy of direct interviews and whether they required IRB approval.
– **IRB Approval Process:**
– Some students were struggling with the IRB process and sought clarification on whether it was necessary.
– The instructor advised those facing delays to structure their research as if interviews were unavailable, allowing flexibility for later revisions.
#### **5. Individual Student Consultations on Research Strategy**
Several research projects were discussed in detail:
– **Educational Background of Kyrgyz Presidents and Policy Impacts**
– Primary sources: Interviews with experts, presidential autobiographies
– Secondary sources: Analysis of relevant literature
– Concerns: Narrowing the pool of interviewees to avoid institutional bias and securing expert opinions outside AUCA
– **Institutional Trust and Vaccine Hesitancy in Kyrgyzstan**
– Primary data sources: Government statistics, hospital records
– Secondary data: Media analysis, international comparative data
– Challenges: Lack of direct access to hospital records, necessity of locating pre- and post-vaccine hesitancy trends
– **Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan’s BRICS Engagement**
– Primary sources: Government policy documents and official economic reports
– Secondary sources: NGO reports on economic partnerships
– Challenges: Finding comparative literature that integrates both political and economic perspectives
– **Impact of Turkish Media on Uzbek Perceptions**
– Proposed survey strategy: Distribution via peer networks
– Instructor advised caution on potential biases and encouraged more rigorous sampling methods
#### **6. Alternative Solutions for Data Collection Constraints**
– Students who had yet to secure interviews were advised to proceed assuming interviews would not be available and instead focus on government documents, reports, and media analysis.
– Adjustments allowed for a secondary analysis-first approach, where interviews could serve as later supplements.
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### **Actionable Items**
#### **Urgent (By Today – March 1)**
– Students relying on interviews must finalize interviewee selection and send requests before 5 PM.
– Students uncertain about IRB requirements must email IRB at AUCA.KG for clarification.
#### **High Priority (By End of the Week)**
– Students must complete a draft of their data collection section, assuming no interviews, as a contingency plan.
– Vaccine-related research projects should secure statistical data from the National Statistics Committee as soon as possible.
#### **Before Next Class (March 5)**
– Identify additional academic literature and NGO reports to supplement weak secondary source collections.
– Students should refine or rewrite research methodologies based on feedback.
#### **Ongoing**
– Continue refining data filtering techniques to ensure quality and relevance of sources.
– Be prepared to present refined data collection methodologies for further discussion in the next session.
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This session reinforced the importance of strategic, well-documented data collection methods. The instructor emphasized adaptability and scholarly rigor, providing tailored feedback on each student’s research approach. The next class will focus on data analysis techniques.
Homework Instructions:
**ASSIGNMENT #1: Data Collection Report**
In this assignment, you will reflect on your data collection strategy and document the methods you are using to gather information for your research. This process will help you clarify your approach, identify any challenges, and refine your data sources. By completing this report, you will ensure that your methodology is well-structured and justifiable in preparation for completing Chapters 2 and 3 of your research.
**Instructions:**
1. **Write your primary research question** at the top of your report. This will serve as a reference point for all your data collection strategies.
2. **Outline your general strategy for data collection** in three to four sentences. Discuss the sources you are using—both primary and secondary—and explain your rationale behind these choices.
3. **Specify the types of sources you are using:**
– Indicate whether you are using primary sources (e.g., interviews, government documents, legislation, speeches, autobiographies) and/or secondary sources (e.g., scholarly articles, NGO reports, news media).
– If applicable, list a few key sources that you have identified so far.
4. **Describe your strategy for identifying and filtering sources:**
– Explain which databases, repositories, or government resources you are using.
– Detail how you determine which sources are reliable and relevant.
5. **Discuss the challenges you have encountered in data collection:**
– Identify specific obstacles, such as difficulties in obtaining primary sources, access restrictions, or bias in available sources.
– If you are conducting interviews, include any difficulties in reaching potential interviewees or ethical considerations related to the IRB process.
6. **Propose solutions for overcoming these challenges**:
– If applicable, explain how you plan to supplement missing data using alternative sources.
– Discuss any potential methodological adjustments you may need to consider.
7. **Submit your completed report by no later than Tuesday, March 11th.** Ensure that your report is clear, well-structured, and includes direct references to the specific sources and methods you are using.
This report will help guide the writing of Chapters 2 and 3 of your research submission. If you encounter obstacles, refer to the feedback received in class discussions and adapt your strategy accordingly.