Consulting Checklist

• Search for literature on your research topic and read or skim the articles (Be aware that a published paper does not mean it is researched well… ). The Information Core provides literature searching assistance.
  

• Select the data you wish to use. See SodaPop for a list of datasets available on PRI's networks, and consult with the data archivist about usage and access restrictions.
  

• Read or skim over the data code book so as to understand the process and “nature” of the data and the survey method used

• Run a frequency on the data variables just to make sure you

1. Have the correct/current data that was documented

2. Have the correct/current code book

3. Have all the information on hand when you need to call the data source to find out what the discrepancy is

• Have secured in advance the person willing to help you with the data’s issues

• Decide upon the methods of analysis to be used

• Have a Plan A and a Plan B, a more conventional method for verification analysis and in the case Plan A’s results are unacceptable

• Once methods are selected educate yourself on

1. what type of data samples are appropriate to be used on

2. who else has used this method

3. whether you will have a source of help (meaning in advance, they said “Yes, I will help you with finer points of analysis”)

4. what are the constraints of this method

5. if using software based upon this method educate yourself about the software

• know what the default parameters and settings are

• know whether these are appropriate for your data analysis runs

6. Know what your outcomes should look like based on other analysis (see Plan B)

• Check with your advisor or colleague for research suitability *

* Use this liberally to stay on track and to keep advisor informed