Data collection: Qualitative research

Data collection: Qualitative research

1. Qualitative research: usually concerned with words, or what people can tell them and narratives about meaning or expereince

   • focus group: what qualitative researchers interview their participants; they may interview an individual or any group of people
     • data collected are expressed in words
       • researchers use voice recorders to capture what the participant says
         • interview recordings are usually transcribed verbatim and then listened to for accuracy
     • key: data collection is the researchers decision that they have a sufficent sample and that data collection is complete
       • sample size: fairly small (fewer than 30 participants)
       • interview questions: may also be an overview or grand tour questions that seek the "big picture" ex. researchers might ask, "tell me about taking your medication-the things that make it easier, and the things that make it harder" ex "tell me what you were thinking about when you decided to get pregnant"
         • interview questions: also a series of prompts (additional questions). these are areas that the researcher believes are important to cover
           • According to the British Dental Journal qualitative interview explore the views, experiences, beliefs or motivations of individuals on specific matters
             • also provides a deeper understanding of social phenomena

2. they observe individuals as they go about daily tasks ex. sorting medications into a pill minder ex. caring for a child

   • building rapport

3. According to Marshall textbook (2006) there are four methods of gathering information

   • 1)participating in the setting
     • 2)observing directly
       • 3)interviewing in depth
         • 4)analyzing documents and material culture