Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
most cases, researchers know the going rate for a research assistant and can
determine the time it takes to administer a questionnaire. Generally, using
technological solutions will prove to be considerably less expensive than
more traditional methods. However, a mistake or poor investment can also
be quite costly. For example, it probably doesn't make sense to buy a server
($2,000), install the necessary system and application software ($2,000), and
pay for management of the server (@ $25-$75/hr) to run a basic survey
when it would be much more cost effective to create a simple survey instru-
ment that can be emailed or one using an online service such as Survey
Monkey (www.surveymonkey.com).
Tips 'n Tricks
AVOIDING EXPENSIVE MISTAKES
Types of mistakes that can derail a study and/or lead
to considerable expense
Mistake #1
… allowing an energetic and technically savvied assistant to write a
unique program for your research that becomes central to your data-
collection efforts.
If the program stops working after your assistant has
graduated or taken a different position and moved on, having to change your
technology in mid-study or, worse, having to pay a professional programmer
to reverse-engineer your application or fix it can be extremely expensive.
Mistake #2
… becoming dependent on an expensive and complex application that
requires advanced-level skills that are costly to access in the open mar-
ket.
A colleague might be right that an Oracle database is the most robust,
or MySQL makes for a great online survey … but Oracle and SQL programmers
often command a high salary in the job market, and database programming,
SQL server management, etc., all tend to cost money. Again, you may have
a colleague or high-end assistant now, but what happens when they are no
longer available to you?
Mistake #3
… using the first application that appears to meet an immediate need
without thinking through all the relevant issues specific to a given study.
A particular application recommended by one of your assistants or a
colleague may be a good place to start your research preparation. But it is
little use to you if the functions needed are inadequate or non-existent.
Begin with the advice of others, but proceed by thinking through your
specific needs
before
pursuing the use of a recommended technology.
