Understanding Data and Ways to Systematically Collect Data

Question 1

• probability sampling, used mainly in quantitative
  research; and
• non-probability sampling, used mainly in qualitative
  research

Answer 1

Human Data Sources

Question 2

• Existing statistics: sets of test scores, databases, yearbooks;
• Documents: curriculum or policy documents, school plans, timetables, teacher or curriculum plans, textbooks, portfolios of children’s work;
• Archival sources: old published documents, unpublished personal documents(such as diaries, letters, ledgers, minutes of meetings), photographs, workbooks;
• Visuals: photographs, paintings or sketches, maps, symbols or logos, computer-generated images;
• Audio-visuals: tape recordings, video recordings, radio broadcasts, films, computer slideshows, musical items, dramatic
  representations, dance, performances;
• The Internet: educational sites, sites for children, sites for parents, sites set up by government departments or organisations, email communications, listservs, other discussion lists; and
• Artefacts: objects of historical or cultural significance, everyday objects, artworks, models, work samples, portfolios.

Answer 2

Non-human Data Sources

Question 3

__________ __________ are selected because they suit the
purpose.
A __________ __________ is a non-probability sample that is
selected based on characteristics of a population and the
objective of the study. __________ __________ is also known
as judgmental, selective, or subjective sampling

Answer 3

Purposive samples/sampling

Question 4

• Guided by the theoretical framework you are using or the theory arising from the data analysis.
• Is a process of data collection for generating theory whereby the analyst jointly collects codes and analyses data and decides what data to collect next and where to find them, in order to develop a theory as it emerges

Answer 4

Theoretical samples

Question 5

Similar to stratified sampling in quantitative research and is made up of quotas for each of the categories you wish to represent (e.g., age, gender, school decile rating)

Answer 5

Quota sampling