Introduction to Data Collection

Tools
 Methods

Interviews
Observations
Questionnaires
Documentation
Biophysiological
All can be used within qual and quant research
Depends on the ‘level of control’ the researcher
applies
 Data Collection Methods

No one best way: decision depends on:

 What you need to know: numbers or stories
 Where the data reside: environment, files, people

 Resources and time available

 Complexity of the data to be collected
 Frequency of data collection

 Intended forms of data analysis

 Observations

Used within qual and quant research

 Approach taken depends of the information required
Covert
Overt
Researcher participation – participant observation
 Observations

Focus- broad events or highly specific events

Concealment – Covert, Hawthorne effect,
reactivity, overt
Method of recording- field notes, video
Researcher- Participant & Non participant
Unstructured & Structured
Sampling- time, event
 Observations – semi structured

You are to watch the biophysiological group as they

complete their task
Pick one of the 3 groups
Start from the time they find out what they have to do
to the completion of their task.
Note down the verbal positive interactions your group
has
Once you have completed the task compare notes and if
possible decide what main observations/themes you all
have all seen
PLUS what did you find hard or easy about your task
 Observations - structured

You are to watch the biophysiological group as they

complete their task
Pick one of the 3 groups
Start from the time they find out what they have to do
to the completion of their task.
Count how many jumping jacks your group performs
Once you have completed the task compare notes and
see if you have the same amount
PLUS what did you find hard or easy about your task
 Interviews

Focus groups/individual
Open and free flowing
Semi – structured
Face to face/telephone/e mail/Facetime/Skype
 Interviews

One to one
Not a job interview but not a chat
Ground rules
Environment
Risks – to participant/to the interviewer
Reflexivity / Bracketing
Aide memoire
Recording
 Key words

Bracketing - suspending one’s own pre-

understanding or judgement from influencing the
research
Reflexivity- the researcher reviews how they
themselves may impact on any aspect of the data
collection or analysis
 Interviews
Structured
 List of questions to be answered
 Same questions to all participants
 Enables structured answers
 Reduces open expression- reduced richness of data
Open ended
 Free flowing
 No structure or control over what is said
 Can be highly informative e.g. start of a study
 Can mean the participant does not provide anything on the topic being studied
Semi structured
 Aide memoire to help keep the interview ‘on track’
 Enables a focus on the topic
 Could introduce bias
 Focus Group

8-10 people max

Allows participants to ‘bounce off’ each other
More vocal participants can dominate
The chair must remain in control
 Pros & Cons

High response rate Highly skilled

Time intensive
Rich data
Socially acceptable
Complete answers
answers
Participants are in
Interviewer's
control
influence
Information available
Defensive
immediately
Lack of vocabulary
skills
Transcribing
Rees 2013
 Biophysiological

Measures of biological function obtained through

use of technology, such as ECG, pulse oximeter or
haemodynamic monitoring
In vivo- on or to the body e.g ECG, pulse oximeter
In vitro- outside of the specimen e.g. blood analysis,
specimens etc
 Pros & Cons

Easy to record Skilled operators

Reliable Calibration
Objective
Same type/make of
equipment used
 ‘Documentation’

Medical/care records
Diaries
Religious texts
Newspapers
Policies
Videos
Creative documentation
 Photographs/pictures

Jalaris Aboriginal Corporation, Derby

Western Australia, photo by Maya Haviland
 Pros & Cons
Language & words of Writing skills
participants Data protection
Accessed at time Researcher has to dig for
convenient to researcher information
Thought be put into the Incomplete
docs by the participants Inaccurate or not
Saves time authentic

Creswell 2009
 Questionnaires

Paper based/online
Self report/with the researcher
Structured/semi-structured
Short /long questions
 Questionnaires

Rarely used on its own within qualitative research

Ideally - all open ended questions
Motivation to complete and return – low
Assumes literacy and ability to read (eyesight) and
expressive writing skills
 Pros and Cons

Flexible
Time consuming
Directly measures
Observers must be
behaviour
well trained-
Gives an ‘insider’
subjectivity,
view invasive, intrusive
Open ended Reactivity
Ethics- debriefing
Rapport