Automation

Automation of data collection (and later data analysis) can be helpful to manage multiple data sources and potentially large data sets. Transforming raw data into useful measures associated with variables that answer your research can be a challenge and automation can help with data wrangling.

There are tools that can help automate data collection and wrangling:

• Online survey tools (Qualtrics, Google Forms, etc.)
• Learning management systems (Sakai, Moodle, Blackboard, etc.)
• Time tracking tools (Toggle, etc.)
• Version control systems (GitHub, GitLabs, CVS, etc.)
• Automated grading systems (WebCAT, Gradescope, etc.)
• Continuous integration system (Jenkins, TravisCI, etc.)
• Shared workspaces (Google Drive, etc.)
• Specialty tools (NVivo, etc.)
• Custom-made solutions (Eclipse plugin to gather student keystrokes)

Where possible use tools to support your data collection and wrangling while meeting expectations of the data management plan.

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