Collecting Data Using APIs Part 2: How to Communicate With and Access APIs

This guide is the second in a two-part series, which offers an overview of the knowledge needed to collect data using APIs. Part 1 provided an introduction to the main characteristics of APIs, different types of Web APIs, and presented different ways of understanding and navigating API documentation, including using data retrieval software and verifying outputs. This second guide will demonstrate possible ways to communicate with and access APIs, highlighting the main requirements to do that. Subsequently, it will highlight aspects to consider before, during, and after data collection. Collectively these guides will help readers gain a technical and methodological understanding of how to collect data using APIs while illustrating key ethical considerations that may arise in the process.