Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Research Seminar
1) Background/demographic questions
2) Knowledge questions
3) Experience/behavior questions
4) Opinion/values questions
5) Feelings questions
6) Sensory questions
Types of Interviews
Informal-conversation
Questions emerge from the immediate context
Semi-structured
Topics selected in advance
Researcher determines sequence and wording
during interview.
Standardized open-ended
Exact wording and sequence of questions
predetermined.
Interviews have component parts
• Main questions identified in advance (6-10).
• Follow-up questions (for example, asking for
more detail or nuance in individual responses.
• Probes – techniques used to keep a discussion
going.
• Questions can be skipped or order varied
depending on the flow of conversation.
• Use opened ended questions.
Observation
Observation
• Purpose of observation
– Describe the context
– See what is spoken about first hand
– Confirm reports of respondents
• Develop an observation checklist
• Observation as:
– as outsider - unobtrusive
– participant observation
• Generates field notes (narratives: on students
behaviour or interest)
Observation Example
• Who you will observe:
youth attending the program
• What you will observe:
– Age, gender
– Length of time student stays in the program
– Involvement in activities: which activities
• Level of involvement
– Interactions with other youth; with staff
• When you will observe: all hours the program is open
for one week each month during 2014
Recording your observation
It is not good enough to just observe, you need to record
your observations. You might use:
– Recording sheet
– Checklist
– Field note
– Picture
– Combination of the above
Sample Observation Guides
Guide for structured observations Guide for unstructured observations
Focus Group
Focus Group
Usually has
approximately seven to
ten people in them
With common
characteristics relating
to the discussion topic
Conducted by a trained
interviewer (moderator,
facilitator).
Moderator’s Role
Stays relaxed and sets tone
Introduces and guides the discussion
Actively and carefully listens
Does NOT participate, or share views, or
engage in the discussion
Does NOT editorialize comments
Promotes everyone’s participation
Is non-judgmental and is respectful
Notetaker’s Role
Tests and places the audio recording equipment
Note: it helps to talk to participants beforehand to gauge and quiet the speakers
(1903 - 1981)
Likert Scale
Difference
Likert item
The format of a typical five-level Likert
item
1. Strongly
disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neither agree
nor disagree
4. Agree
5. Strongly agree
Example:
Q.18.Please measure the following affirmative perceptions about your library OPAC and Web OPAC use .
Codes: 1-strongly disagree, 2- disagree, 3- neutral, 4-agree, 5- strongly agree
S/N Affirmative perception statements Codes
(i) OPAC / Web OPAC was Easier to use than I expected 1 2 3 4 5