Data collection II: methods

Question 1

how is data collected?

Answer 1

in a number of ways, from diverse sources - can use one or a few data collection methods

Question 2

what is triangulation?

Answer 2

a process in which multiple collection methods of data are used

Question 3

what do qualitative researchers do?

Answer 3

make sense of feelings, experiences, social situations or phenomena in their natural setting

Question 4

what is aimed for when collecting qualitative data?

Answer 4

minimal interference/interruption within the context
engage with participants in an open and empathetic manner

Question 5

what are the steps involved in the data collection process?

Answer 5

obtaining ethical clearance
obtain permission and access through gatekeepers
sampling
data collection

Question 6

what is sampling?

Answer 6

the selection of research participants from an entire population

Question 7

what are the types of sampling?

Answer 7

probability and non-probability sampling

Question 8

what is probability sampling?

Answer 8

all members of a population stand an equal chance of being selected for the study

Question 9

what is non-probability sampling?

Answer 9

the selection of participants is not determined by the statistical principle of randomness

Question 10

what does sampling involve questions about?

Answer 10

which people to sample
which setting to sample from

Question 11

what are the types of probability sampling?

Answer 11

convenience sampling, purposive sampling and snow-ball sampling

Question 12

what is convenience sampling?

Answer 12

recruiting people who are easily available and accessible

Question 13

what is purposive sampling?

Answer 13

recruiting people who have experienced the phenomenon/research problem being studied

Question 14

what is snow-ball sampling?

Answer 14

recruiting participants through existing contacts

Question 15

why does qualitative research not require large sample sizes?

Answer 15

focus on in-depth, detailed explanations
sample size determined by approach to research

Question 16

what is theoretical saturation?

Answer 16

when new cases no longer provide new information - data collection stops

Question 17

how can the decision of how many cases to study be informed?

Answer 17

whether it is a new or developed area of study
how much detail one is likely to gather in one case
budget and time constraints

Question 18

what are some sampling strategies?

Answer 18

maximum variation, critical case sampling, confirming or disconfirming cases, theoretical sampling

Question 19

what is maximum variation sampling?

Answer 19

when seeking the broadest range of perspectives on the subject of study

Question 20

what is critical case sampling?

Answer 20

looking for data that is information rich

Question 21

what is confirming or disconfirming sampling?

Answer 21

seeking to confirm of disconfirm an emerging analytical account

Question 22

what is theoretical sampling?

Answer 22

collecting data specifically for the purpose of generating theory

Question 23

what are some ethical considerations when sampling?

Answer 23

consent, gaining consent through gatekeepers of a community

Question 24

what is informed consent?

Answer 24

agreement to participate based on receiving full information on the study

Question 25

what are some data collection methods in qualitative research?

Answer 25

individual interviews, interviewing groups, participant observations,

Question 26

what are the different types of interviews?

Answer 26

structured, semi-structured and unstructured interviews

Question 27

what is a structured interview?

Answer 27

interview requiring straight-forward, not so detailed answers

Question 28

what is an semi-structured interview?

Answer 28

involves the use of an interview schedule with a few broad, open-ended questions and some probing questions

Question 29

what are some positive aspects of individual interviews?

Answer 29

more natural form of interacting with participants,

Question 30

what is an unstructured interview?

Answer 30

asks broad questions and allows the participant to respond in broad detail with little interruption or probing

Question 31

what does the interview process involve?

Answer 31

preparing for and setting up the interview audio recording starting the interview and building a rapport the interview itself - listening and taking notes ending the interview - debriefing

Question 32

what are some question errors that can be made?

Answer 32

asking too many questions asking closed questions (yes/no) asking leading questions asking excessively probing questions asking poorly timed questions asking why questions

Question 33

what is the data collection process followed by?

Answer 33

transcription process

Question 34

what is group interviewing?

Answer 34

interviewing more than one person at a time

Question 35

what do group interviews allow for?

Answer 35

explore intersubjective experiences

Question 36

who do group interviews involve?

Answer 36

a group of people who share a similar experience

Question 37

what are the components to a focus group?

Answer 37

procedure, interaction, content and recording

Question 38

what does the procedure component of a focus group refer to?

Answer 38

rules that give structure to and set the limits on the group process

Question 39

what does the interaction component of a focus group refer to?

Answer 39

being aware of personal and interpersonal dynamics of the group

Question 40

what does the content component of a focus group refer to?

Answer 40

what is spoken about or done in the interview

Question 41

what does the recording component of a focus group refer to?

Answer 41

audio-recording and note taking - allows one to focus on the interview and observe non-verbal communication

Question 42

what is participant observation?

Answer 42

observing participants in action, as things happen

Question 43

what are the types of observations outlined by Spradly?

Answer 43

descriptive, focused and selective observations

Question 44

what does descriptive observation refer to?

Answer 44

exploratory observations, what is happening in a situation

Question 45

what does focused observation refer to?

Answer 45

asking particular questions about general events

Question 46

what does selective observation refer to?

Answer 46

selecting particular events that you have specific questions about

Question 47

what are the phases of participant observation?

Answer 47

preparation, getting in and working with gatekeepers, getting on and building rapport (relationships)

Question 48

what are the different levels of participation?

Answer 48

complete observer, observer as participant, participant as observer, complete participant

Question 49

what is a complete observer?

Answer 49

not directly interacting with the setting and not disclosing your presence as a researcher

Question 50

what is an observer as a participant?

Answer 50

limited interaction with participants who know that you are a researcher

Question 51

what is a participant as observer?

Answer 51

fully engaged in a setting although it is still known that you are a researcher

Question 52

what is complete participation?

Answer 52

joining a group and fully participating without revealing that you are a researcher

Question 53

what are documentary sources?

Answer 53

other forms of data in qualitative research such as newspapers, journals etc. - easier that interviews

Question 54

how are documentary sources used?

Answer 54

can be used to supplement interview and focus group data