FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK “Quizzing the community.” Data Gathering techniques including Interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires

“FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including Interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires Data collection is an important aspect of any type of research study. Inaccurate or poorly developed data collection can impact on your study and ultimately lead to invalid results. DATA COLLECTION METHODS Can be either quantitative (hard data, e.g. figures, %’s, numbers). Generally closed where answers fall into pre-determined categories. Or qualitative (opinions/views). Generally open responses surveying opinions that can be difficult to measure/quantify. Typical data gathering strategies include: Personal Interviews (telephone/face to face or focus group) Observations Questionnaires Surveys

“FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including Interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires STEP 1. PLAN your survey (SELECT YOUR METHOD, STRATEGY & SAMPLE SIZE) Review your wicked question. Is this sort of data collection appropriate for your project? What are you trying to find out? Choose the method (previous slide) that is most suited to you and your project. Choose the strategy(s) most suited (you may decide to choose a combination of strategies). Determine your sample size:  Adequate size (need to sample a number that could be viewed as ‘reliable).  Variety of demographics (age, gender, religion, postcode).  Avoids bias (surveying a particular ‘group’ only).

“FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including Interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires STEP 2. DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT your strategy INTERVIEWS Decide who are the best persons to interview and find out contact details. Contact subject professionally yet personally (name, school, purpose of contact) – always check with your teacher/parents first and keep a record for your project. Maybe see your teacher about a school ‘standard’ letter of introduction to attach. Pre-arrange the time, place and method of the interview – let your teacher/parents know too (should be arranged outside of school hours where possible, after school is often the best and convenient time for all parties). Plan interview questions and recording method (A/V recording requires written permission/clearance).

“FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including Interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires Conduct your interview:  Be prepared (all materials needed)  Be prompt (ensure your parents know and have approved)  Dress appropriately for the site visiting (school uniform is often best as it also identifies you).  ‘Sign-in’ with reception/security  Introduce self to subject  Ask questions in a polite and courteous manner, respond using your speaking and listening skills  Record responses (try not let it interfere with the ‘flow’ of the interview)  Be mindful of time  Thank subject at end and advise of how they can see findings/project NOTE: If at any time you feel in any danger, end the interview. Thank the subject politely and apologise for ending the interview early, “I have to go.” Leave. Advise parents/school.

“FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires

STEP 2. DEVELOP & IMPLEMENT your strategy QUESTIONNAIRES/SURVEYS Decide how you will conduct your survey:  Online (caution – data can be invalid on ‘free’ sites, not secure) NOTE: Be Cyber ‘Savvy’ if creating an account (use first name/initial/number only and only school contacts).  Paper distribution (mail? – must be approved first)  Electronic distribution ( ? – use student account and be approved first)  Public Place/Door Knock (must have approval and be accompanied) Plan an adequate timeline to develop, distribute and collate data) Maybe see your teacher about a school ‘standard’ letter of introduction to attach. “FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE KNOW & THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires

Develop and design your survey:  Ensure questions relate to wicked question and that data will be useful (only questions that specifically relate to your project).  INTRODUCTION: Should clearly state who you are and purpose of survey, assures confidentiality, does not require a name or personal details (suburb/postcode is permissible)  Provide a choice of answers (likert scale)  Cross-set questions/answers (asking same question in different way (e.g. positive/negative)  Keep it brief and to the point  Try to avoid asking questions that be considered ‘too personal’  Thank the subject for completing and explain how the data might be published “FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires

EXAMPLE LIKERT SURVEY SCALE “FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires

EXAMPLE LIKERT SURVEY SCALE “FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires ? ?

EXAMPLE LIKERT SURVEY SCALE “FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires

EXAMPLE LIKERT SURVEY SCALE “FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires

EXAMPLE LIKERT SURVEY SCALE “FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires

Conduct & Collate your survey:  Ensure you have all appropriate approvals before conducting survey  Test your survey on a small sample  Modify if necessary  Conduct your survey  Collate your data in a tally (often MS Excel is used as it easily can be used to create visually appealing representation of data/results). QUESTIONS/COMMENTS/OBSERVATIONS? “FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK ” Data Gathering techniques including interviews, Surveys & Questionnaires