Collecting and Acquiring Data

The LATIS Research Development Team assists researchers in developing data collection or survey instruments with a variety of programs, tools, and delivery methods. Contact latisresearch@umn.edu for more information or to schedule time in the Social and Behavioral Science Laboratory.

Data Collection Planning Consultation

• Sampling design
• Questionnaire/survey design
• Online experimental design 
• Online participant recruitment best practices (e.g., MTurk, CloudResearch, Prolific, etc.) 

Research Programming

Programming and development of data collection tools:

• Research software, such as z-Tree, PsychoPy, E-Prime, Inquisit, REDCap, and Qualtrics
• Custom web- or lab-based applications using Python, Scala, CSS/Javascript, MATLAB, etc.
• Database design, including schema and query optimization, in mySQL, Postgres, and MSSQL

Social and Behavioral Science Laboratory (SBSL)

Capacity for up to 36 participants at once in a controlled environment computer lab

• Managed dissemination of data collection programs and merging of data across computers
• Support for precision timing/display tasks and real-time group interactions
• Separate waiting and instruction rooms; privacy carrels around all computers

Mixed Methods Data Collection

• Design consultation for interviews, focus groups, and other methodologies
• Assistance with scraping and API-based tools for web and social media data collection