Selecting a method of data collection

Qualitative and Quantitative Research Qualitative research explores attitudes, behavior and experience through such methods as interviews or focus groups. It attempts to get an in-depth opinion from participants. As it is attitudes, behavior and experiences which are important, fewer people tends to last a lot longer.

Quantitative research generates statistics through the use of large scale survey research, using methods such as questionnaires or structured interviews. This type of research reaches many more people.

Differences in methods of data collection in quantitative and qualitative research Most methods of data collection can be used in both qualitative and quantitative research. The distinction is mainly due to the restrictions imposed on flexibility, structure, sequential order, depth and freedom that a researcher has in their use during the research process. Quantitative methods favour these restrictions whereas qualitative ones advocate against them.

The classification of a method into the quantitative or qualitative category depends upon your answers to the following questions How was the information collected? Was it through a structured or unstructured/flexbile format of data collection? Were questions or issues discussed during data collection predetermined or developed during data collection? How was the information you gathered recorded? Was it in descriptive, narrative, quantitative form or on a scale? How was the information analysed? Was it descriptive or numerical analysis?

Major approaches to information gathering A)primary data It involves the study of a subject through firsthand observation and investigation. Primary research may come from your own observation or experience, or from the information you gather personally from other people. B) Secondary sources It involves the collection of information from studies that other researchers have made of a subject. Documents (govt publication, earlier research, service records)

Types of observation 1.Participant observation 2.Non-participant observation

Participant observation It is when you, as a researcher, participate in the activities of the group being observed in the same manner as its members, with or without their knowing that they are being observed For example, you might want to examine the reactions of the general population towards people in wheelchairs. You can study their reactions by sitting in a wheelchair yourself. Or you might want to study the life of prisoners and pretend to be a prisoner in order to do this.

Non-participant observation It is when you, as a researcher, do not get involved in the activities of the group but remain a passive observer, watching and listening to its activities and drawing conclusion from this. For example, you might want to study the functions carried out by nurses in a hospital. As an observer, you could watch, follow and record the activities as they are performed. After making a number of observations, conclusions, could be drawn about the functions nurses carry out in the hospital.

Recording conversation Narrative recording Using scales Categorical recording Recording on electronic devices.

The interview An interview involves an interviewer reading questions to respondents and recording their answers (Monette et al 1983) It is any person to person interaction, either face to face or otherwise, between two or more individuals with a specific purpose in mind.

Types of interviews Unstructured interviews It provides complete freedom in term of content and structure. You are free to order the questions in whatever sequence you wish Also, you are free in the term of word that you are using. You may formulate questions and raise issues during the interview. The researchers need to be alert, recognizing important information and probing for more details. This type works in qualitative research.

Semi-structured interviews It is used in qualitative social research. In this type of interview, the researcher wants to know specific information which can be compared and contrasted with information gained in other interviews. To do this, the same questions need to be asked in each interview.

Types of interview Structured interviews The researcher asks a predetermined set of questions, using the same wording and order of questions as specific in the interview schedule. This type is used in quantitative research.

Conducting focus group It might be called discussion group or group interviews. A number of people are asked to come together in a group to discuss a certain issue. Example: in social research this could be to discuss adults’ experiences of school. The discussion is led by a moderator or facilitator who introduces the topic, ask specific questions, controls digressions and stops break- away conversations. The moderator makes sure that no one dominates the discussion and that each of the participants makes a contribution.

Using questionnaires There are three basic types of questionnaire Closed-ended, open-ended or combination of both

Closed-ended questionnaires This type of questionnaire is used to generate statistics in quantitative research. As this questionnaires follow a set format, and as most can be scanned straight into a computer for ease of analysis, greater number can be produced. Example: to fond out how many people use such service.

Open-ended questionnaires Open- ended questionnaires are used in qualitative research, although some researchers will quantify the answers during the analysis stage. The questionnaire does not include boxes to tick, but instead leaves a blank section for the respondent to write in an answer. As it I opinions which are sought rather than numbers, fewer questionnaires need to be distributed. Example: to find out what people think about a service.

Combination of both Many questionnaires begin with a series of closed questions, with boxes to tick or scales to rank, and then finish with a section of open- questions for ore detailed reponse.

Ways of administering a questionnaire The mailed questionnaire Collective administration Administration in a public place

Content of the covering letter Introduce you and the institution you are representing Describe in two or three sentences the main objectives of the study Explain the relevance of the st

Collecting data using secondary sources Government or semi-government publication Earlier research Personal records Mass media

Problems with using data from secondary sources Validity and reliability Personal bias Availability of data Format