Week 6

Question 1

What is data collection?

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

What are the consequences from improperly collecting data?

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Why is it importance of accurately and appropriately collecting data?

Answer 3

• to maintain the integrity of research

- reduce the likelihood of errors occurring.

Question 4

List 4 common data collection methods in qualitative research?

Answer 4

• in-depth interview
• focus groups
• secondary data/document review
• observations

Question 5

List 4 common data collection methods in qualitative research?

Answer 5

• 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)

Question 6

What does a reliability mean?

Answer 6

It means that a measure can be relied upon consistently to give the same result if the aspect being measured has not changed

Question 7

What does validity reflect?

Answer 7

Validity reflects how accurately the measure yields information about the true or real variable being measured.

Question 8

What does internal validity refer to?

Answer 8

This refers to the whether intervention ( independent variable) had real measurable effect on outcome (dependent) variable.

Question 9

what does external validity refer to?

Answer 9

This refers to generalizability of findings to other populations and or settings.

Question 10

What are the 4 aspects of rigor/trustworthiness in qualitative data?

Answer 10

• credibility (truthfulness)
• auditability (consistency)
• transferability (applicability)
• confirmability (no bias)

Question 11

Briefly define Population ?

Answer 11

• well-defined group with specific characteristics

- all the individuals the researcher is interested in studying

Question 12

Briefly define sample

Answer 12

• subset of overall population

- set of elements that make up population

Question 13

Briefly define convenience sample?

Answer 13

All members of the population with the relevant characteristics who can be readily found (and consent)

Question 14

Briefly define snowball sampling?

Answer 14

A participant refers the researcher to more potential participants, who may then refer researcher to further potential participants (snowballing).

Question 15

Briefly describe Purposive sampling

Answer 15

An intentional (purposeful) approach is made by the researcher to select participants with specific characteristics or participants within a specific area.

Question 16

Briefly describe quota sampling

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Briefly describe simple random sampling

Answer 17

Participants allocated ‘randomly’ to the study or part of a study: ‘pulled out of a hat’ chosen by computer.

Question 18

briefly describe stratified random sampling

Answer 18

Members of the population allocated to groups according to characteristics important to the study and then subjects randomly chosen from these groups

Question 19

Why are eligibility criteria so important?

Answer 19

Characteristics specific to allow generalisability of findings

Question 20

What is/are the main purpose(s) of sampling?

Answer 20

Increase efficiency of study

Maintain representativeness of sample

Question 21

Name the two major headings under which sampling falls

Answer 21

• Probability

- non-probability

Question 22

What are the advantages of random sampling?

Answer 22

• No researcher bias

- Maximise representativeness

Question 23

What is the aim of stratified random sampling?

Answer 23

Increase representativeness

Question 24

What are the disadvantages of non-probability sampling?

Answer 24

• Less rigorous
• Limits generalisability
• Not representative

Question 25

Name four qualitative data collection methods.

Answer 25

• 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.