Qualitative Data Collection Flashcards
ethics method
identify the appropriate ethics board
submit the research proposal to the ethics board
outline the target population, sample group and methods
Data collection methods
interviews participant observation reflective journaling questionnaires focus groups action groups
Questionnaires - admin
face to face, paper and pencil, computerised
Questionnaires - questions
use statements which are interpreted in the same way by members of difference subpopulations
use positive statements and avoid negatives or double negatives
do not make assumptions
use clear comprehensible wording
Questionnaires - question types
closed - yes or no
multiple choice - more than 3 choices
dichotomous - two options
norminal-polytomous - more than two unordered options
ordinal-polytomous - more than two ordered options
continuous - scale
interviews
conversation between two or more people where question are asked to elicit facts or statements from the interviewee
structured interview
ensure that each interview is presented with exactly the same questions in the same order
semi-structured interview
open, allowing new ideas to be brought up as a result of what the interviewee says
unstructured interview
questions are not prearranged
participant observation
a form of sociological research methodology in which the researcher takes on a role in the social situation under observation
becomes a full time occupation of the researcher
social researcher immerses themselves in the social setting under study, getting to know key actions
Observation
aim is to experience events in the manner in which the subjects under study also experience these events
covert observations
researcher participating fully without informing members of the social group of the reasons for her presence, thus the research is carried out secretly
reflective journaling observations
used as a means of aiding reflection, deepening student understnding and stimulating critical thinking
focus groups observation
a group of people are asked about their perceptions, opinions, beliefs and attitudes towards something
more natural than a one on one interview
types of focus groups
two way dual moderator duelling moderator respondent moderator client participant mini teleconference online
two way focus group
one focus group watches another and discusses the observed interactions
dual moderator focus group
one moderator ensures the session progresses smoothly, while another ensures all topics are covered
duelling moderator focus group
two moderators deliberately take opposite sides on the issue under discussion
respondent moderator focus group
one and only one of the respondents are asked to act as the moderator temporarily
client participant focus groups
one or more client representatives participate in the discussion, either covertly or overtly
mini focus groups
groups are composed of four ro five members rather than 6-12
teleconference focus group
telephone network is used
online focus group
computers connected via the internet are used
negatives of focus groups
one shot case studies especially if they are measuring a property-disposition relationship witin the social sciences unless they are repeated
the setting itself - participants may find the moderator and the recording instruments obtrusice
positives of focus groups
group discussion produces data and insights that would be less accessible without interaction found in a group setting
group members discover a common language
opportunity for disclorure among similar others in a setting where participant are validated
