The original data plan should be manageable (doable, not too difficult), but well thought out (ONE method, FEW well-selected subjects, FEW targeted questions) directly related to your project. Also make sure that you are not putting others or yourself at risk or potential psychological harm (e.g. intrusive question about immigration status or sexual experiences).
I. Specify your main research question
II. Specify the method for your data plan (e.g. interview, survey, OR observation)
a) Specify your subject(s)-
-For an interview one or two may be enough (e.g. a person with special experience)
-For a survey about 10 or 20, with a specific selection criteria, selection plan (e.g., ask classmates in Psychology class)
-An observation could be recording your own one or two specific behaviors, or that of others (e.g. no. of students who buy bottled water, soda, juice or no drinks at a specific the register in the cafeteria between 11:45-12:45)
b) Specify your measures-
For an interview identify about 3 relevant open ended questions (e.g. What do you think is important for…)
For a survey about 3 relevant rating scales questions (e.g on a scale from 1 (not all) to 10 (extremely)…)
For an observation clearly identify variables (e.g. frequencies, times, distances)
