Qualitative Lecture 8- Data collection in Qualitative Research

Question 1

What is the most common form of data collection in QR?

Answer 1

• Data Collection in QR is the process of gathering material and creating texts (e.g. audio, visual material, documents etc.)
• The most common form of material is written text transcribed from audio

Question 2

What step comes before data collection?

Answer 2

Sampling.

Question 3

What is a sample?

Answer 3

A sample is a clearly defined group of people who are selected for the study.

Question 4

What decisions are involved in the selection of participants?

Answer 4

• How to recruit
• From where to recruit (individuals vs organisations)
• How many participants to recruit (saturation: the point in a research process where enough data has been collected to draw necessary conclusions, and any further data collection will not produce value-added insights)
• Which events/behaviours or social processes to observe.

Question 5

What is the typical size of a qualitative study?

Answer 5

• Qualitative studies typically do not draw on large or random samples.
• They make use of non-probability sampling (sampling based on some subjective factor/topic/focus)

Question 6

What are four types of non-probability sampling?

Answer 6

1. Convenience sampling- selecting participants who are available without any prior rationale or exclusion criteria.
2. Purposive sampling: cases selected for theoretical reasons
3. Snowball sampling: identifying initial participants who refer you to others who can answer your questions.
4. Theoretical sampling- recruiting participants and collecting data specifically for the purpose of generating theory.

Question 7

What are individual interviews?

Answer 7

• They are a type of data collection technique.
• They are the most commonly used form of data collection in Qualitative Research
• A natural form of interacting with participants. This allows for an in-depth understanding of people’s experiences.
• It is a highly skilled performance

Question 8

The interpretive vs the social constructionist interview

Answer 8

• Interpretive interviews focus mainly on content as data
• Constructionist interviews also focus on language/linguistic patterns, dominant discourses/larger social systems.

Question 9

What are the different types of interviews?

Answer 9

1. Structured: limited response options
2. Semi-structures: open-ended questions with a guide
3. Unstructured- open-ended questions that are not limited and no guide.

Question 10

What steps are involved in interviewing?

Answer 10

1. Planning the interview
2. Setting up the interview
3. The ins and outs of recording
4. Starting the interview
5. The interview itself
6. Ending the interview
7. Transcribing the interview

Question 11

What are some common interviewing errors?

Answer 11

1. Asking too many questions
2. Asking closed questions
3. Asking leading questions
4. Asking excessively probing questions-interrogating
5. Asking poorly timed questions
6. Asking “why” questions

Question 12

What do we know about interviewing focus groups?

Answer 12

• It allows access to intersubjective experience
• It involves a group of people who share a similar type of experience
• It involves purposive sampling
• A focus group is composed of between 6 and 12 participants.

Question 13

What are the four basic components of a focus group?

Answer 13

1. Procedure- “rules of play”, norms, “ground rules” established collectively (e.g. interruptions, turns to speak, confidentiality)
2. Interaction- personal and interpersonal dynamics of the group
3. Content- what is spoken about, usually semi-structured
4. Recording- video or audio recording and note-taking.

Question 14

What is the observing experience data collection method?

Answer 14

• Observation takes place while things are happening
• Studies phenomena in its natural environment
• Non-intrusiveness is an important aspect of observations

Question 15

What are the different types of observations?

Answer 15

1. Descriptive- what is happening here?
2. Focused- why are men not seeking health-related support?
3. Selective- why are men not seeking TB-related support?

Question 16

What are the phases involved in participant observation?

Answer 16

1. Preparation
2. Getting in. (access to the setting- gate-keeping)
3. Getting on
4. Considering what to look for.

Question 17

What are the different degrees of participation?

Answer 17

• Complete participant: member of the class but researcher identity concealed
• Participant-as-observer: member of the class and known as researcher
• Observer-as-participant: from the corner of the class
• Complete observer: completely removed

Question 18

What do we know about documentary sources?

Answer 18

• These include letters, newspaper articles, official documents, and books
• Usually considered an easier method.
• Present less ethical concerns than research with
  human participants.
• Requires very careful management and recording of information
• Not as time-consuming as data is already available.