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Data Module #3 - Finding & Collecting Data for Your Research

Learning Through Example: Political Science Research Project

Exploring how same day voter registration laws affect voter participation rates among racial groups.

You could collect your own data by asking people for their opinions. You can choose do this through in-person interviews, online surveys, telephone surveys, etc. The method you choose may affect the quality of your data. For instance, a quick interview immediately after voting might have a higher response rate than a telephone survey a month later. However, the telephone survey may be more in-depth. 

You will want to ask people about the effect of same-day registration laws on their decision to vote and their racial identity.  If you are interested in any other data be sure to ask appropriate further questions. For example, you might ask about the age of each voter, or other factors that influenced their decision to vote.