TOOLS FOR DATA COLLECTION Flashcards
process by which a researcher identifies the representative population to be used in his/her study.
- sampling
____ (___) outlined the areas of the research process where sampling decisions are applied:
- Case Sampling (identifying target participants)
- Material Sampling (identifying which tools you will use on the participants to collect data)
- Sampling within the Material (determining what collected data will you use or analyze)
- Presentational Sampling (choosing which data should be used to represent the outcomes of the study)
- Flick (2009)
Types of Sampling Methods (Probability/Statistical Sampling)
- Simple Random Sampling
- Stratified Random Sampling
- Cluster Sampling
- Multistage Sampling
- Systematic Sampling
Types of Sampling Methods (Non-probability Sampling)
- Purposive Sampling
- Convenience Sampling
- Snowball Sampling
- Quota Sampling
Types of Sampling Methods with Definitions (Probability/Statistical Sampling) and (Non-probability Sampling)
Probability/Statistical Sampling (used when an accurate representation of the entire population is needed in the sample. It is OFTEN USED IN QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH than QUALITATIVE RESEARCH.)
- Simple Random Sampling (samples are identified randomly with the help of statistical and mathematical computations)
- Stratified Random Sampling (population is divided into different groups/strata based on criteria set by the researcher.)
- Cluster Sampling (similar to stratified random sampling but instead of grouping them based on criteria set by the researchers, the individuals are randomly selected from naturally occurring groups)
- Multistage Sampling (this type of sampling is a COMBINATION of stratified random and cluster sampling.)
- Systematic Sampling (this method is the EASIEST since it only requires the researcher to set a fixed interval to determine the sample.)
Non-probability Sampling (used when the population can not/does not need to be sampled to represent the target population and so individuals do not have an equal chance of being sampled. It is often used in QUALITATIVE RESEARCH than QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH)
- Purposive Sampling (samples are targeted and selected based on a criterion set by the researcher)
- Convenience Sampling (sampling group is identified by the convenience of the researcher, e.g. nearby, already familiar)
- Snowball Sampling (identification of the sample group is accumulative and can come from populations not initially known by the researcher.)
- Quota Sampling (very similar to purposive sampling however, they are looking for specific characteristics in individuals that may or may not directly link to the research question/objective, e.g. age, sex, religion)
it is a method that is used when a participant can be observed directly. There are 5 types for this.
- Observation/Fieldwork
Five (5) Types of Observation:
- Participant (researcher is immersed for prolonged periods of time in the setting where the participants/phenomenon is to be observed.)
- Nonparticipant (similar to participant observation except that the researcher is NOT immersed in the setting)
- Systematic/Structured (when the researcher establishes specific rules for the observation and schedule)
- Unstructured (it is the complete opposite of structured observation where there are no rules of guidelines set for the observation. This allows more freeform or narrative means of data collection)
- Simple/Contrived Observations (in both methods, the participant is unaware of the researcher and the researcher does not interact or involve themselves with the setting.)
It is a method that is used when a participant can be observed directly. There are 3 types for this.
- Interviews
Three (3) Types of Interviews:
- Structured (these are “oral questionnaires”. The researcher asks a list of predefined questions that only permits limited participant responses)
- Semi-structured (researcher begins with a set of key questions however the participant is given more freedom to explain certain topics)
- Unstructured (opposite of structured interviews. Participants will be asked one (1) general question and can explain their responses in depth. Further questions will be based on their answers)
It is a method often used as a means of validating data collected through other methods.
- Analysis of Documents and Audio-Visual Materials
Documents and Materials can be all or any of these five (5):
- Public records
- Personal documents
- Artifacts
- Video
- Drawings/Pictures
Process of Document Analysis (____, __)
1. Create a list of texts to explore
2. Consider how texts will be accessed with attention to linguistics or cultural barriers
3. Acknowledge and address biases
4. Develop appropriate skills for research
5. Consider strategies for ensuring credibility
6. Know the data to look for
7. Consider ethical issues (e.g. confidentiality, copyright)
- O’Leary, 2014
This refers to the integrity and application of methods taken by the researcher, as well as the precision and relevance of his/her findings.
- Validation
Validation (4):
- Content Validity (it is the extent to which the questions on the instrument and the scores from these questions represent all possible questions that could be asked about the content or skill (Creswell, 2005)) (Face Validity - minimum index of content validity)
- Construct Validity (Used when the goal of the study is to construct theories to understand better and predict behavior) (Convergent Validity determines the correlation of different results and Discriminant Validity determines the lack of relationship among certain variables)
- Criterion-based Validity (Used to predict current or future performances by correlating results with another criterion of interest (Burns et al., 2017)) (Concurrent Validity relates the results to an already established set of scores and Predictive Validity relates the results to a future criterion to predict some form of behavior)
- Triangulation (relies on multiple validation methods to verify the results of a study)
