Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The act of gathering evidence by closely watching and examining phenomena or events in order to understand and analyze them.
Related terms
Data Collection: The process of systematically gathering and recording observations or measurements to obtain information for analysis.
Qualitative Research: A type of research that focuses on understanding human behavior through non-numerical data such as interviews, observations, or case studies.
Fieldwork: Conducting firsthand research by going directly into the field (e.g., visiting a community) to observe and collect data.