Week 6 Flashcards
What is data collection?
Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes.
What are the consequences from improperly collecting data?
- inability to answer research questions accurately
- inability to repeat and validate the study
- distorted findings resulting in wasted resources
- compromising decisions for public policy
- causing harm to human participants/animals subjects
Why is it importance of accurately and appropriately collecting data?
- to maintain the integrity of research
- reduce the likelihood of errors occurring.
List 4 common data collection methods in qualitative research?
- in-depth interview
- focus groups
- secondary data/document review
- observations
List 4 common data collection methods in qualitative research?
- experiments/clinical trials
- observing and recording well-defined events (e.g counting the number of patients waiting in the ED at specified times)
- obtaining relevant data from management information systems
- administering surveys with closed-ended questions (e.g face to face, telephone interviews, questionnaires)
What does a reliability mean?
It means that a measure can be relied upon consistently to give the same result if the aspect being measured has not changed
What does validity reflect?
Validity reflects how accurately the measure yields information about the true or real variable being measured.
What does internal validity refer to?
This refers to the whether intervention ( independent variable) had real measurable effect on outcome (dependent) variable.
what does external validity refer to?
This refers to generalizability of findings to other populations and or settings.
What are the 4 aspects of rigor/trustworthiness in qualitative data?
- credibility (truthfulness)
- auditability (consistency)
- transferability (applicability)
- confirmability (no bias)
Briefly define Population ?
- well-defined group with specific characteristics
- all the individuals the researcher is interested in studying
Briefly define sample
- subset of overall population
- set of elements that make up population
Briefly define convenience sample?
All members of the population with the relevant characteristics who can be readily found (and consent)
Briefly define snowball sampling?
A participant refers the researcher to more potential participants, who may then refer researcher to further potential participants (snowballing).
Briefly describe Purposive sampling
An intentional (purposeful) approach is made by the researcher to select participants with specific characteristics or participants within a specific area.
Briefly describe quota sampling
A sample gathered to represent population as closely as possible e.g. 40% of population is male so try to make sure 40% of sample is male
Briefly describe simple random sampling
Participants allocated ‘randomly’ to the study or part of a study: ‘pulled out of a hat’ chosen by computer.
briefly describe stratified random sampling
Members of the population allocated to groups according to characteristics important to the study and then subjects randomly chosen from these groups
Why are eligibility criteria so important?
Characteristics specific to allow generalisability of findings
What is/are the main purpose(s) of sampling?
Increase efficiency of study
Maintain representativeness of sample
Name the two major headings under which sampling falls
- Probability
- non-probability
What are the advantages of random sampling?
- No researcher bias
- Maximise representativeness
What is the aim of stratified random sampling?
Increase representativeness
What are the disadvantages of non-probability sampling?
- Less rigorous
- Limits generalisability
- Not representative
Name four qualitative data collection methods.
- In-depth interviews: may be structured, semi-structured or unstructured
- Focus groups: involve multiple participants discussing an issue
- Secondary data/document review: diaries, written accounts of past events, photographs
- Observations: may be on site, or under ‘laboratory conditions’, for example, where participants are asked to role-play a situation to show what they might do.
