PLANNING THE DATA

COLLECTION STRATEGY
 OBJECTIVES

• I can describe the different data collection

techniques in qualitative research
• Plan the data gathering strategies for my research
 WHAT IS AN OBSERVATION?
• A way to gather data by watching people, events, or
noting physical characteristics in their natural
setting. Observations can be overt (subjects know
they are being observed) or covert (do not know
they are being watched).
 TYPES OF OBSERVATION

Controlled Observations
Naturalistic Observations
Participant Observations
Direct Observation
Indirect Observation
 CONTROLLED OBSERVATION

• Controlled observations (usually a structured observation)

are likely to be carried out in a psychology laboratory. The
researcher decides where the observation will take place, at
what time, with which participants, in what circumstances
and uses a standardised procedure. Participants are
randomly allocated to each independent variable group.
 NATURALISTIC OBSERVATION
• is a research method commonly used by psychologists and
other social scientists.
• This technique involves observing involves studying the
spontaneous behaviour of participants in natural
surroundings. The researcher simply records what they see
in whatever way they can.
• Compared with controlled observations it is like the
difference between studying wild animals in a zoo and
studying them in their natural habitat.
 PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION
• is a variant of the above (natural observations) but here the
researcher joins in and becomes part of the group they are
studying to get a deeper insight into their lives.
• Participant observations can be either cover or overt. Covert is
where the study is carried out 'under cover'. The researcher's real
identity and purpose are kept concealed from the group being
studied.
• The researcher takes a false identity and role, usually posing as a
genuine member of the group.
• On the other hand, overt is where the researcher reveals his or
her true identity and purpose to the group and asks permission to
observe.
 DIRECT OBSERVATION

• Researcher strives to be as unobtrusive as

possible so as not to bias the observations; more
detached.
• Technology can be useful (i.e video,
audiorecording).
 INDIRECT OBSERVATION

• Results of an interaction, process or behavior

are observed (for example, measuring the
amount of plate waste left by students in a
school cafeteria to determine whether a new
food is acceptable to them).
 INTERVIEW

• is a conversation for gathering information. A research

interview involves an interviewer, who coordinates the
process of the conversation and asks questions, and an
interviewee, who responds to those questions. Interviews can
be conducted face-to-face or over the telephone. The
internet is also emerging as a tool for interviewing.
 WHEN IS AN INTERVIEW AN APPROPRIATE
RESEARCH METHOD
• Interviews are an appropriate method when there is a need to collect
in-depth information on people’s opinions, thoughts, experiences, and
feelings. Interviews are useful when the topic of inquiry relates to
issues that require complex questioning and considerable probing.
Face-to- face interviews are suitable when your target population can
communicate through face-to-face conversations better than they can
communicate through writing or phone conversations (e.g., children,
elderly or disabled individuals).
 TYPES OF INTERVIEWS

• Structured interviews: In a structured interview, the

interviewer asks a set of standard, predetermined questions
about particular topics, in a specific order. The respondents
need to select their answers from a list of options. The
interviewer may provide clarification on some questions.
Structured Interviews are typically used in surveys
• Semi-structured interviews:
In a semi-structured interview, the interviewer uses a set of
predetermined questions and the respondents answer in their
own words. Some interviewers use a topic guide that serves as a
checklist to ensure that all respondents provide information on the
same topics. The interviewer can probe areas based on the
respondent’s answers or ask supplementary questions for
clarification. Semi-structured interviews are useful when there is a
need to collect in-depth information in a systematic manner from
a number of respondents or interviewees (e.g., teachers,
community leaders).
Unstructured interviews:
• In an unstructured interview, the interviewer has no specific
guidelines, restrictions, predetermined questions, or list of
options. The interviewer asks a few broad questions to
engage the respondent in an open, informal, and
spontaneous discussion. The interviewer also probes with
further questions and/or explores inconsistencies to gather
more in-depth information on the topic. Unstructured
interviews are particularly useful for getting the stories
behind respondents’ experiences or when there is little
information about a topic.
 TYPES OF INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

• 1. BACKGROUND QUESTION
• 2. KNOWLEDGE QUESTION
• 3. EXPERIENCE QUESTION
• 4. OPINION QUESTION
• 5. FEELING QUESTION
• 6. SENSORY QUESTION
 REMINDERS DURING THE INTERVIEW
• Respect the culture of the group being studied
• Respect the individual being interviewed.
• Act naturally and confidently
• Develop rapport with the participants
• Ask the same question in a different ways
• Ask the interviewees politely to repeat their answers if their
response is vague.
• Do not monopolize the conversation
• Avoid leading questions like “you really want that?
• Do not ask questions that is answerable by yes or
no
• Ask question one at a time
• Allow your interviewees to speak their mind in
order to obtain as much information as possible.
 INFORMED CONSENT
• Is usually a document signed by the participant signifying
his or her free will to participate in the study.
• As interviewer , you must inform the interviewee of the
following:
• Objective or purpose of your research
• Duration of the interview or focus group discussion
• That the said interview is voluntary and that anytime the
interview can be stopped once the interviewee decides to
withdraw
• That any information that will arise from the interview will be
kept confidential
• The name and contact details of the research
• The benefits that the interviewee may get out of the interview as
well as its potential risk
• The name and contact details of the person whom the
interviewee can reach regarding his or her rights as a
participant in the study.