Research Methods

Qualitative Research Methods Task Research Project Sample C Key Sampling and Ethical Issues

In discussing the selection of an appropriate sample group within higher level education relevant to construction workers returning to education conventional probability sampling was abandoned in favour of Purposive Sampling. The participants would need to be selected on the basis of their relevance to the experiences and situations which would represent the target information critical to the research rather than the broader community. Stratified quotas based on proportional gender, socio-economic and sociocultural background and prior educational achievement was deemed the most valid approach. The central ethical issues were identified as putting the interest of the participants paramount. Hence, openness and honesty and the assurance of confidentiality and privacy are essential in requesting people to participate in the research. Respect for the participants must be maintained and data gathered must be recorded and represented in a coded way. Ethical issues may be summarised as follows: Trust Sensitivity Researchers Own Assumptions Power Imbalance Anonymity Privacy Initial Codes to analyse qualitative data: