Qualitative Data Collection

Join us in this webinar where we will share valuable tips on effectively collecting qualitative data and making the most out of your analysis.

1. Qualitative Data Collection For more information, please email [email protected]

2. Overview General Considerations Developing Instruments & Questions Sampling and Recruitment Semi-Structured Interviews Focus Groups Surveys Document Analysis Observations Tips for Best Practices Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

3. General Considerations Qualitative data collection is time-consuming How will you record data collected? Transcription may be required What type of data do you need to collect to answer your research question(s)? Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

4. Developing Instruments & Questions Most qualitative data collection instruments require the researcher to develop some form of questions Open-ended to stimulate responses beyond “Yes” and “No” or other simple answers Unambiguous Get to the point Clear language for participant understanding Unbiased in their wording Narrow and define focus of inquiry Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

5. Sampling & Recruitment Non-Random Sampling Purposive Snowball Sample Size Smaller than in quantitative large enough to ensure diversity and representativeness of the sample, but small enough to allow for in-depth exploration of the research topic. There is no set rule for determining sample size in qualitative research, and the appropriate sample size may vary depending on the specific research context. Goal is to achieve data saturation Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

6. Semi-Structured Interviews A conversation between a researcher and a participant, where the researcher asks questions and the participant provides responses Allow for deep diving into one person’s experiences and perceptions Facilitates exploring sensitive topics Can be time consuming (~45-60 min/session) Heavily dependent on researcher’s interviewing skills Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

7. Focus Groups A conversation featuring a small, diverse group of participants discussing a topic guided by a moderator. The goal is to gather collective insights and opinions on a topic. Allow the researcher to gather a range of perspectives in one session 6-8 participants Gather large amounts of data relatively quickly 45–90-minute sessions Can be influenced by group dynamics and personalities Participants often hesitant to share sensitive data Rare to gather as in-depth data as individual interviews Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

8. Surveys Surveys involve the use of structured questions to gather information from a large group of participants. Surveys can be administered in person, by phone, or online. Can be conducted remotely Can reach large numbers of participants quickly Data gathering may be limited to question type, response length, wording, etc. Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

9. Document Analysis Document analysis involves the examination and interpretation of written or visual documents, such as newspapers, reports, or emails. Can provide a wealth of information Can be conducted remotely (but not always) Depending on the data collected, can provide some level of objectivity Can be time-consuming Limited context for data Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

10. Observations Observations involve a researcher observing and documenting the actions, behaviors, and interactions of participants in a natural setting. Observations can be structured (following a predetermined set of behaviors or actions to observe) or unstructured (allowing the researcher to observe and document what occurs naturally). Researcher may or may not participate Provides rich, in-depth understanding of a setting or behavior Conducted in real-time Time-consuming Observer’s presence may influence event Difficult to gather sensitive and/or private data Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

11. Tips for Best Practices Consider the research questions and purpose statement. Think about the research context. Consider the researcher's role. Reflect on ethical considerations. Validate the data. Be open to adapting the data collection plan. Bring batteries/chargers for data recording devices. Need help with your dissertation? Call 727-442-4290

12. Additional Support