Centre for Studies in Democratisation
Module PO233 "Core Issues in Comparative Politics"
The Research Process:
Data collection
and analysis
Dr. Elena Piffero, CSD Research Fellow
E.Piffero@Warwick.ac.uk
Centre for Studies in Democratisation
Data collection and
analysis: what for?


Knowing & feeling comfortable with latest
theories, debates, explanations - “the state
of the art” - Literature Review
Keeping updated “from the field” - what's
going on (elections, party life, reforms...)
Centre for Studies in Democratisation
Which data?

Direct, “raw” data (interviews, participant observation,
monitoring and evaluation, etc.)
Fieldwork

Primary sources
(first-hand accounts created by the witnesses
or first recorders of the events at about the time they occurred)
(New) media:
Diaries, letters, videos, photographs, creative works,
financial records, newspaper articles* (not columns/analysis)...

Secondary sources
(information created later by someone
who did not experience first-hand or participate in the events)
Literature: Journal articles, books, reports, working papers...
Centre for Studies in Democratisation
How to search - 1
1) Scanning/update
*build yourself list of sources (newspapers, journals) for your
topic
*periodically check for relevant pieces of information
1) Use the references
* academic articles and monographs provide useful
“reading suggestions”
Centre for Studies in Democratisation
How to search - 2
3) Skimming (keywords, author...)
*make the most of search engines! Google Scholar, Google
Advanced Search (format, domain...)
4) Digests and newsletters
* Portuguese Institute of International Relations and
Security (IPRIS) www.ipris.org
* International Crisis Group www.crisisgroup.org
* e.g. Arab Reform Bullettin: http://carnegieendowment.org/arb/
Centre for Studies in Democratisation
Data analysis: how - 1
Ranking:

From more to less recent*

Filters
* Author / journal / newspaper
* Which point of view / ideological background?
* Where is the focus? What is the main idea? Is it “original”?
* Which approach / methodology?
information verifiable / verified?
*Which questions are left open?
Is
Centre for Studies in Democratisation
Data analysis: how - 2

Keep a record – systematize:
Abstract, Keywords, Annotations, “Ranking”

It is not a waste of time!!
* Useful when amount of information grows
* Avoid “Where have I read it?”
* Develop your “Research Skills”
Centre for Studies in Democratisation
There is a huge amount of “already
processed” information available to
everyone
BUT
information “digested” by someone else is
not as rich of inputs as the one you digest
yourself!
Centre for Studies in Democratisation
Data collection and analysis:
use CSD resources!
http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/research/csd/iatl/observatory

Internet as a source of data but also as an easily
accessible “storage” place

Cumulative knowledge

Space for debate and development of ideas

Visibility for “works in progress”
→ Guided development of research skills!