Qualitative 3- Data Collection Flashcards
1
Q
What influence the format of the questions in an interview?
A
- They type of research method that will be used (quantitative or qualitative)
2
Q
What do quantitative interviews consist of?
A
- Pre-planned list of questions will be devised which will mainly consist of closed questions
- Structured questionnaire
- Little opportunity for the participant to provide additional information or explanation to support their response.
- Brief and could be conducted on the phone
3
Q
What do qualitative interviews consist of?
A
- Particularly used in phenomenology and grounded theory
- Uses a semi-structured or unstructured interview schedule
4
Q
How to develop an interview schedule or topic guide
A
- Consideration of what it is they want to know.
- Easiest to generate questions for an interview is mind-mapping the topics
- Question should be brief and simple
- Qualitative questions should involve open question to trigger discussions should also include follow-up questions
- The opening question should be broad e.g “tell me about”
- Important to not end with a sensitive question when the study is emotional- if there is any issues they wish to raise.
- Because the open questions are not exactly formatted to allow the researcher to be flexible during the interview. However, this does make it problematic to acquire ethics committee approval for their study.
5
Q
How to conduct an interview
A
- In qualitative studies the interview begins with a broad opening questions
- The researcher may not follow the order of the questions as they appear on the topic guide- so it becomes more of a conversation
- The researcher needs to vigilant throughout the interview to make sure all the questions are answered in the interview.
- The flexibility of semi-structured interview enables the participant to retain a level of control over the discussion.
- Probing questions enables the questionnaire to explore issues in greater depth- disadvantages: might disrupt the participant, they may feel like they are being interrogated; might narrow the focus.
6
Q
What are the factors to consider when conducting interviews?
A
- Face to face interviews: should be carried out in a quiet, private, comfortable location where the participant feel safe and at ease. Refreshments can be offered if appropriate.
- Interviews are normally audio-recorded to allow data analysis and transcription. It is important that the participants have consented for this and also to reassure participants that they do not have to answer all the questions. They should also be reassured that any comments will be anonymised and names will be replaced with code.
- Important to have that level of trust with the participant. The researcher must therefore find a way of establishing a good rapport and being responsive to the participants account e.g: maintaining eye contact.
- The researcher needs to decide whether they will be taking notes, however can be distracting to both parties. But also it might be necessary if the participants have declined any audio.
- Important to thank the participant after the interview
- May be relevant to provide information, usually in the form of debriefing sheet or identifying potential sources of support.
- Any information that the participant has shared after the interview can only be used in the study if they have granted permission.
- Support should also be in place for researchers after interviews
- Researchers should reflect on the interview once its done.
7
Q
Telephone interviews and interviews via the internet
A
- The researcher and participant can obviously not see each other
- Highly developed listening skills are needed
- Participants might be reluctant to discuss difficult and sensitive subjects.
- Internet interviews can mimic face-to face interviews due to skype and facetime.
8
Q
What are some advantages and disadvantages of telephone interviews?
A
Advantages
- Participants may feel more comfortable
- Tends to be more focus and concise
- May be less disruptive to the participant.
- Less expensive to conduct.
- Avoid lone worker issues arising.
Disadvantages
- May feel less comfortable revealing information than during a face to face interviews.
- The concise nature can mean that issues are not explored in depth.
- Both parties can speak at the same time.
- May not be speaking to the right person.
- Non-verbal cues can’t be taken into account.
9
Q
Who should conduct the interview?
A
- Could be the lead researcher, member of the research.
- May be known or unknown to the participant
- If more than one is involved in the interview the team need address how consistency of each interview will occur.
10
Q
What do observations include?
A
- Enables the researcher to understand how people behave in a particular way and how they interact with others
- Normally associated with ethnography, grounded theory or surveys
- Advantage: it facilitates the direct collection of data regarding behaviours, interactions and events occurring in a natural setting.
- First-hand account is generated
- Can be time consuming
11
Q
What are the different approaches to observations?
A
- Observations can be undertaken covertly and overtly, using participants or non-participants classified.
- Can also take a structured (quantitative) or semi-structured (qualitative) approach.
- Overt observations are when the participants are fully aware that they are being observed
- Covert observations are when participants do not know they are being observed
- Another strategy is when a researcher joins the group in order to carry our covert observations.
- Concerns about covert observations have been raised and is now difficult to acquire the necessary research governance approvals for observations using this approach
12
Q
Who should carry out the observations?
A
- Could be the lead researcher, member of the research.
- May be known or unknown to the participant
- The observer who has an understanding of the language and practises of the participants have some leverage and they will take less time to adapt into the group.
13
Q
What are the key issues that are needed when observing?
A
- Key issues: what will be observed, the tools to be used, the time frame and the methods of data collection.
14
Q
How can observed data be recorded?
A
- Hand-held electronics
- Audio recorders can allow the researchers to pick up things at a later date.
15
Q
Factors to consider when carrying out observations?
A
- The observer should have minimal effect on the events
- Participants reactivity: behaviour alteration when the participants know the presence of an observer.
- Covert observations minimise participant reactivity as they do not know they are being observed and therefore there is no shift in behaviour.
- However covert observations come with a range of ethical problems and is deemed unacceptable.
- Also, to minimise participant reactivity observers should not always be observing.
- Observer should maintain a discreet distance.
- Can be time-consuming
- Should try to minimise any interactions.
