 In conducting research

 Be transparent
 Be accurate
 It is ok to be wrong
 In writing
 Always give credit
 Keep organized and to the point
 Pay attention to detail
 In protecting subjects
 Informedconsent
 How could your research hurt someone?
 Advantages
 High Reliability if standardized
 Used for descriptive data collection
 Used for large scale collection
 Used almost exclusively in quantitative studies.
 Be focused on what kind of information you want
to collect. Backwards design.
 Disadvantages
 Serious threats to internal and external validity
 Return rates vary
 Time commitment in design and analysis
 Possible low return rate
 Can be expensive
 Translation/interpretation
 Random-completely selected by chance
(lottery) must be tightly structured!
 Stratified Random-splitting a sample
population and then randomly sampling from
within
 Hints
 Sampling involves decision not only about which
people to observe or interview, but also about
settings, events and social processes.
 Sampling means taking a smaller chunk of a
larger universe.
 A good conceptual framework will help set the
foci and boundaries for sampling decisions.
 The main goal of sampling is to strengthen the
conceptual validity of the study.
 Hints
 Always state how and why you chose your
sample. Be honest!
 Don’t sample too narrowly.
 Time is big factor; sampling cases in a multiple-
case study is a very demanding experience. Know
your boundaries.
 Advantages
 Collecting “Rich” data
 Observing behavior
 Non-verbal clues
 Ability to modify Questions
 Disadvantages
 Time consuming
 Changing questions threatens reliability
 Accessibility
 Cost effectiveness
 May be hostile
 Serious threats to reliability and validity
 Structured
 Semi-Structure (Open Ended)
 Hints
 If taping, have extra batteries and tapes
 If taping, test distance from microphone
 Always ask permission to tape
 Listen-the temptation is to speak but don’t!
 Warm up with easy questions, get the respondent
talking and comfortable with you.
 You get better with practice (pilot)
 Advantages
 Time
 Money
 Larger sampling population
 More information
 Disadvantages
 Response rates
 Threats to validity (how do you know if was
completed properly)
 No visual clues
 Hints
 Keep questions closed. Data will be all over the
place otherwise.
 Keep responses simple, don’t confuse the
respondent.