Lecture 7

Question 1

Issues with data gathering

Answer 1

1. Setting goals
   • Decide how to analyze data once collected
2. Identifying participants
   • Decide who to gather data from (probability vs. non
   probability sampling)
3. Relationship with participants
   • Clear and professional – conflict of interests
   • Informed consent when appropriate - HREC
4. Triangulation
   • Look at data from more than one perspective (theory,
   researcher, data, methodology)
5. Pilot studies
   • Small trial of main study, e.g. check questionnaire
   validity/clarity

Question 2

Data gathering

Answer 2

Data recording

Interviews

Interviews may be structured, semi-structured
or unstructured

Questionnaires

Questionnaires may be on paper, online or
telephone

Observation

Observation may be direct or indirect, in the
field or in controlled setting

Choosing and combining techniques

Depends on
– The focus of the study
– The participants involved
– The nature of the technique
– The resources available

Question 3

Quantitative analysis & data

Answer 3

Quantitative data – expressed as numbers

Quantitative analysis – numerical methods to ascertain size, magnitude, amount
E.g. Averages, percentages, graphical representations of data

Question 4

Qualitative analysis & data

Answer 4

Qualitative data – difficult to measure sensibly as numbers, e.g. count number of words to measure dissatisfaction

Qualitative analysis – expresses the nature of elements and is represented as themes, patterns, stories
E.g. Recurring patterns or themes, categorizing data, looking for critical incidents

Question 5

Theoretical frameworks for qualitative analysis

Answer 5

The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study

Grounded Theory

Aims to derive theory from systematic analysis of data
Systemic analysis is a way of thinking. It is a way of putting together the pieces of information we have to create an understanding

Distributed Cognition

The people, environment & artefacts are regarded as one cognitive system

Activity Theory

Explains human behavior in terms of our practical activity with the world
Essentially, AT is about the conceptualization/
mapping of the subject being studied into the activity and artifact models and to identify issues in their interactions.