Finding Answers through Data Collection

• Observation- Is a technique of gathering data whereby you personally watch, interact, or communicate with the subjects of research.
• Types of Observation:

  •Participant Observation

  •Non-participant Observation or Structured Observation
• Paricipant Observation- the researcher takes part in the activities of the individual or grohp being observed.
• Non-participation Observation- this type of observation completely detachees the researcher from the target of the observation.
• Examples of Participant Observation:

  •Cultural Immersion

  •Online Groups
• Methods of Observation:

  •Direct Observation

  •Indirect Observation
• Direct Observation- observation method that makes the researchers see or listen to everything that happens on the area of observation.
• Indirect Observation- this is also called as "behaviour archaeology" because you observe traces of past events to get information or a measure of behaviour, trait, quality of your subject.
• Interview- is a data gathering technique that makes you verbally ask the respondents questions to give answers to what your research study is trying to look for.
• Types of Interview:

  •Structured

  •Unstructured

  •Semi-Structured
• Structured Interview- requires the use of an interview schedule or a list of questions answerable with one and only item from a set of alternative responses.
• Unstructured Interview- the respondents answer the question based on what they personallly think and feel about it.
• Semi- Structured Interview- the combination of Structured and Unstructured Interview.
• Types of Approaches:

  •Individual Interview

  •Group Interview

  •Mediated Interview
• Individual Interview- only one respondent is interviewed here.
• Group Interview- the researcher ask questions to a group of people at the same time. The group members take turns in answering the question.
• Mediated Interview- no face-to-face interview is true for this interview approach because it takes place through electronic communication devices such as telephones, mobile phones, email, among others.
• Questionnaire- is a paper containing a list of questions including the specific place and space in the paper where you write the answers to the questions.
• Steps in Conducting an Interview:

  Step 1: Getting to Know Each Other

  Step 2: Having an Idea of the Research

  Step 3: Starting the Interview

  Step 4: Conducting the Interview Proper

  Step 5: Puttting an End to the Interview

  Step 6: Pondering Over Interview Afterthoughts
• Purposes of Questionnaires:

  •To discover people's thoughts and feelings about the topic of your research

  •To assist you in conducting an effectice face-to-face interview with your respondents.

  •To help you plan how to obtain and record the answers to your questions.

  •To make analysis, recording, and coding of data easier and faster