Module 4 Flashcards
Key dimensions of data collection methods
Structure
Quantifiability
Obtrusiveness
Objectivity
Structure in data collection methods
Used to collect identical information from all participants
Quantifiability in data collection methods
Participants must respond to exactly the same questions in exactly the same order.
Obtrusiveness in data collection methods
Data collection methods differ in terms of the degree to which participants are aware of their status as study participants. Collecting data unobtrusively may create ethical problems.
Objectivity in data collection methods
Quantitative researchers typically use more objective approaches and qualitative researchers consider subjectivity a valuable component of data collection.
Unstructured qualitative self-report techniques
Provide the researcher with flexibility in gathering information from research participants. General, open-ended questions are asked in an effort to allow participants to tell their own story.
Types of unstructured self-reports
Completely unstructured Focused interviews Focus group interviews Life histories Critical incident technique
Critical incident technique
Gathers data about people’s behaviours by studying specific incidents relating to the behaviour under investigation.
Structured quantitative self-report techniques
Used when the researcher knows what they need to know and can prepare focused, appropriate questions to obtain the required information. Usually done using an instrument, such as an interview schedule or questionnaire.
Guidelines for asking questions
Make items clear. Avoid double-barreled questions. Respondents must be competent to answer. Respondents must be willing to answer. Questions should be relevant. Short items are best. Avoid biased items and terms.
Likert scale
The most commonly used scaling technique.
Consist of declarative statements that express a viewpoint.
Respondents are asked to choose a number that indicates their agreement or disagreement with the statement.
Vignettes
Short stories or descriptions of situations.
Respondents are asked to relate how they would respond to the situation.
Answers can be open-ended or close-ended and are designed to elicit information about opinions, attitudes, knowledge, and perception.
Strengths of self-report methods
Information can be obtained about past events or future plans.
Can be used to measure psychological characteristics through direct communication.
Limitations of self-report methods
Self-reports may not be accurate; participants may conceal negative characteristics or behaviours.
Responses may be biased or conform to societal expectations.
To collect unstructured observation data, questions are asked about these elements
The physical setting (Where) The participants (Who) Activities (What) Frequency and duration (When) Process (How) Outcomes (Why)
A log
Daily record of events
Field notes
May include the daily log, but are much broader, more analytical, and more interpretive than a simple listing of occurrences.
Strengths of unstructured observational methods
Can yield a rich understanding of human behaviours and social situations.
The researcher gains a more complete understanding of the complexities of the situation than with other methods.
Limitations of unstructured observational methods
Observer bias or emotional involvement may affect objectivity.
Researcher may present a narrow-minded view of the issues.
Depend on the observational and interpersonal skills of the observer.
Strengths of observational methods
Suited for nursing research.
Nurses are skilled in observing people’s behaviours.
Provides more depth and variety of information than any other method.
Limitations of observational methods
People may not behave normally if they know they are being observed.
Observation is vulnerable to observer bias.
in vivo measures
Performed directly within or on living organisms and would include measures such as blood pressure and body temperature.
in vitro measures
Extract biophysiologic material from participants for laboratory analysis, including chemical measures, microbiological measures, and cytologic or histologic measures.
Anthropomorphic measures
Include things like body mass index and waist circumference
Strengths of biophysiological measures
They are relatively accurate and precise.
They are considered to be objective
Instrumentation provides valid results
Limitations of biophysiological measures
The measuring tool may affect the variables it is attempting to measure.
The disadvantages appear to be primarily technical in nature.
Measurement error
Systematic and random error associated with a person’s score on a measure, reflecting factors other than the construct being measured and resulting in an observed score that is different from a hypothetical true value.
Most common factors that may contribute to errors of measurement
Situational contaminants Response-set biases Transitory personal factors Administration variations Item sampling
