ABSTRACT
There are several research techniques, besides the social survey, which can be employed as a means of establishing data about the social characteristics of given populations. Many of these are in early stages of development and their value is relatively limited. They will be considered here under four main headings: physical evidence; mechanical and electronic devices; documentary sources; and observation. Physical evidence refers to data which have not been collected specifically for research purposes, but which are available to be exploited by the research investigator. Mechanical and electronic devices may be used simply as means of recording data; or as supplements to other methods of research; or, indeed, as alternative to other methods. Documentary sources are of two main kinds: continuous records of the community or sections of the community; and discontinuous records of one kind and another. Observation can be defined as the purposeful and selective watching and counting of phenomena as they take place.
