METHODS PR

• Sampling


  The process of systematically selecting individuals, units, or settings to be examined in your study
• Sampling


  • Helps you select the right participants for your study and draw conclusions about the population where the selected samples belong
• Considerations for sample size in qualitative research

  • No fixed rules
  • Researcher's judgment
  • Data saturation
• Data saturation


  A point reached when the data are sufficient that additional data will no longer affect the patterns observed
• Qualitative research usually utilizes a smaller sample size
• Suggested number of participants in a qualitative study

  • 10 to 30 people
  • Until data are saturated
• Non-probability sampling types


  • Purposive/Criterion-based sampling
  • Quota sampling
  • Snowball sampling
  • Convenience sampling
• Purposive/Criterion-based sampling


  Participants are selected using predetermined criteria related to your research questions
• Quota sampling


  Involves selecting subjects from a larger group with each member given an equal chance to be selected
• Snowball sampling


  Identifying a member of the targeted population and asking them to identify other members with relevant characteristics
• Convenience sampling


  Selection of participants based on ease of finding them, considered the weakest rationale and lowest credibility
• Data collection


  An activity where the researcher obtains relevant information to address the study's research questions or objectives
• Triangulation


  Qualitative research typically uses multiple sources of evidence or methods in data collection
• Reliability


  Consistency of the results with the data, getting the same findings from various data sources
• Validity


  Data's ability to address the research questions or objectives of a study
• Data collection methods


  • Observation
  • Interview
  • Focus group discussion
  • Document analysis
• Research instruments


  Tools used in collecting data in qualitative studies, also known as guides, containing topics or questions to be covered
• Be cautious in using documents as they may not fully reflect reality
• If the data can be obtained through documents, archival records, or direct observation, interviews become optional
• The main function of interviews is to triangulate or cross-validate data
• Data collection tips


  • Seek consent from participants
  • Have two or three observers for participant observation
  • Ensure confidentiality of data
• Types of data


  • Primary data (gathered directly from participants)
  • Secondary data (collected by someone besides the researcher)
• Data collection procedure


  A section in the methodology that details the specific steps the researcher took to gather the needed data
• Guidelines for data collection procedure

  • Discuss how participants were informed and consent obtained
  • Specify the person/s who collected the data
  • If applicable, discuss training or orientation sessions for data collectors
  • Name the place where data were collected
  • Discuss the method of recording the interview or observation
  • Explain how the actual data collection was conducted
  • State whether participants received an incentive or not
• Data analysis


  The process of transcribing, examining, classifying, tabulating, testing, and recombining data to make conclusions about findings or understand a phenomenon
• Coding


  A method used in qualitative data analysis to categorize data and make sense of the concepts emerging from them
• Data analysis guidelines


  • Keep research problems and questions in mind
  • Conduct a pilot test
  • Transcribe data and ensure reliability through interceding
  • Conduct initial tabulation and analysis
  • Decide on level of analysis
  • Decide on how to handle outliers and irrelevant information
  • Incorporate actual data in presentation
• Sections in the methods section

  • Research design
  • The sample and sampling technique
  • Instrument and materials
  • Data collection procedure
  • Data analysis
  • Ethical considerations