Chapter 9 Methods of data collection in qualitative research

-most qualitative study designs are method based: method of data

Major Approaches to Information Gathering SELECTING A METHOD OF collection seems to determine the design.
Two data sources: DATA COLLECTED -three main methods of data collection in qualitative research:
 Primary data • unstructured interviews;
 Secondary data • participant observation;
• secondary sources.

3. Questionnaire
Collecting Data Using Primary Sources
in a questionnaire respondents read the questions, interpret
 The choice of method depends on the purpose of the study, the what is expected and then write down the answers.
resources available and the skills of the researcher.
 Among the ways to collect the primary data are observation, the
interview and the questionnaire Ways of administering a questionnaire
Advantages of a questionnaire
• The mailed questionnaire
1. Observation • less expensive.
--the most common approach is to
is a purposeful, systematic and selective way of watching and send the questionnaire to by mail • offers greater anonymity
listening to an interaction or phenomenon as it takes place. • Collective administration
Disadvantages
--the best ways of administering a questionnaire
is to obtain a captive audience in 1 place. • application is limited.
• Administration in a public place • response rate is low
Problems with using observation
Types of observation --administer a questionnaire in a public place - • self-selecting bias
as a beginner - should be aware of these potential problems: • possible to consult others
 participant observation hospital
 when individuals become aware that they are being
---participate in the activities of the group being observed observed, they may change their behaviour. Could be +ve
in the same manner as its members, with or without their or -ve
knowing that they are being observed. 2. Interview
 there is always the possibility of observer bias.
 non-participant observation we have the freedom to decide the format and content
 the interpretations drawn from observations may vary from
--do not get involved in the activities of the group but of questions to be asked of respondents, select the
observer to observer
remain a passive observer, watching and listening to its  there is the possibility of incomplete observation and/or
wording of the questions, the way to ask them and
activities and drawing conclusions from this recording, which varies with the method of recording choose the order in which they are to be asked.

Situations in which observations can be made Recording observations Unstructured Interviews Structured interviews
• Narrative recording • Using scales is the almost complete freedom they asks a predetermined set of questions, using
1. natural provide in terms of content and structure the same wording and order of questions as
• Categorical recording • Recording on electronic devices
2. controlled specified in the interview schedule
 Collecting data using secondary sources
 The secondary sources can be used in quantitative and qualitative research.
 The following section provides some of the many secondary sources grouped into categories
1. Government or semi-government publications
--e.g: the census, vital statistics registration, health report, etc.
2. Earlier research
--for some topics, an enormous number of research studies that have already been done by
others can provide you with the required information.
3. Personal records
--some people write historical and personal records (e.g. diaries) that may provide
information you need.
4. Mass media
--report published in newspapers, in magazines, on the internet, and so on, may be another
good source of data.
Problems with using data from secondary sources
 Validity and reliability
--the validity of information may vary markedly from source to source.
Eg: information obtained from a census is likely to be more valid and reliable than
that obtained from most personal diaries.
 Personal bias
--the use of information from personal diaries, newspapers and magazines may have
the problem of personal bias as these writers are likely to exhibit less rigorousness
and objectivity than one would expect in research reports.
 Availability of data
--it is common for beginning researchers to assume that the required data will be
available, but you cannot and should not make this assumption. Therefore, it is
important to make sure that the required data is available before you proceed further
with your study.
 Format
--before deciding to use data from secondary sources it is equally important to
ascertain that the data is available in the required format. Eg: you might need to
analyze age in the categories 23-33, 34-48 but, in your source, age may be
categorized as 21-24, 25-29, and so on.