Data collection II: methods Flashcards
how is data collected?
in a number of ways, from diverse sources - can use one or a few data collection methods
what is triangulation?
a process in which multiple collection methods of data are used
what do qualitative researchers do?
make sense of feelings, experiences, social situations or phenomena in their natural setting
what is aimed for when collecting qualitative data?
minimal interference/interruption within the context
engage with participants in an open and empathetic manner
what are the steps involved in the data collection process?
obtaining ethical clearance
obtain permission and access through gatekeepers
sampling
data collection
what is sampling?
the selection of research participants from an entire population
what are the types of sampling?
probability and non-probability sampling
what is probability sampling?
all members of a population stand an equal chance of being selected for the study
what is non-probability sampling?
the selection of participants is not determined by the statistical principle of randomness
what does sampling involve questions about?
which people to sample
which setting to sample from
what are the types of probability sampling?
convenience sampling, purposive sampling and snow-ball sampling
what is convenience sampling?
recruiting people who are easily available and accessible
what is purposive sampling?
recruiting people who have experienced the phenomenon/research problem being studied
what is snow-ball sampling?
recruiting participants through existing contacts
why does qualitative research not require large sample sizes?
focus on in-depth, detailed explanations
sample size determined by approach to research
what is theoretical saturation?
when new cases no longer provide new information - data collection stops
how can the decision of how many cases to study be informed?
whether it is a new or developed area of study
how much detail one is likely to gather in one case
budget and time constraints
what are some sampling strategies?
maximum variation, critical case sampling, confirming or disconfirming cases, theoretical sampling
what is maximum variation sampling?
when seeking the broadest range of perspectives on the subject of study
what is critical case sampling?
looking for data that is information rich
what is confirming or disconfirming sampling?
seeking to confirm of disconfirm an emerging analytical account
what is theoretical sampling?
collecting data specifically for the purpose of generating theory
what are some ethical considerations when sampling?
consent, gaining consent through gatekeepers of a community
what is informed consent?
agreement to participate based on receiving full information on the study
what are some data collection methods in qualitative research?
individual interviews, interviewing groups, participant observations,
what are the different types of interviews?
structured, semi-structured and unstructured interviews
what is a structured interview?
interview requiring straight-forward, not so detailed answers
what is an semi-structured interview?
involves the use of an interview schedule with a few broad, open-ended questions and some probing questions
what are some positive aspects of individual interviews?
more natural form of interacting with participants,
what is an unstructured interview?
asks broad questions and allows the participant to respond in broad detail with little interruption or probing
what does the interview process involve?
preparing for and setting up the interview
audio recording
starting the interview and building a rapport
the interview itself - listening and taking notes
ending the interview - debriefing
what are some question errors that can be made?
asking too many questions
asking closed questions (yes/no)
asking leading questions
asking excessively probing questions
asking poorly timed questions
asking why questions
what is the data collection process followed by?
transcription process
what is group interviewing?
interviewing more than one person at a time
what do group interviews allow for?
explore intersubjective experiences
who do group interviews involve?
a group of people who share a similar experience
what are the components to a focus group?
procedure, interaction, content and recording
what does the procedure component of a focus group refer to?
rules that give structure to and set the limits on the group process
what does the interaction component of a focus group refer to?
being aware of personal and interpersonal dynamics of the group
what does the content component of a focus group refer to?
what is spoken about or done in the interview
what does the recording component of a focus group refer to?
audio-recording and note taking - allows one to focus on the interview and observe non-verbal communication
what is participant observation?
observing participants in action, as things happen
what are the types of observations outlined by Spradly?
descriptive, focused and selective observations
what does descriptive observation refer to?
exploratory observations, what is happening in a situation
what does focused observation refer to?
asking particular questions about general events
what does selective observation refer to?
selecting particular events that you have specific questions about
what are the phases of participant observation?
preparation, getting in and working with gatekeepers, getting on and building rapport (relationships)
what are the different levels of participation?
complete observer, observer as participant, participant as observer, complete participant
what is a complete observer?
not directly interacting with the setting and not disclosing your presence as a researcher
what is an observer as a participant?
limited interaction with participants who know that you are a researcher
what is a participant as observer?
fully engaged in a setting although it is still known that you are a researcher
what is complete participation?
joining a group and fully participating without revealing that you are a researcher
what are documentary sources?
other forms of data in qualitative research such as newspapers, journals etc. - easier that interviews
how are documentary sources used?
can be used to supplement interview and focus group data
