RES 021 2.2

• Research Methodology

  • It is the chapter which describes and discusses in detail how the researcher collects and analyzes data in order to answer their research question.
• In making chapter 3 of qualitative research, it is important to know the following:

  • Method - a technique which the researcher uses to gather and generate data about the subjects of the study.
  • Methodology - is a section of the research paper that explains why the researcher chose to use the particular methods.
  • Research Design - is a plan which structures a study to ensure that the data collected and generated will contain information needed to answer the initial inquiry as fully and clearly as possible.
• Research Design

  • This section describes the specific research approach you will use in the study. Qualitative research designs are good at answering "how>" and "what?" questions.
  • The research design is dependent on the purpose of the study and the set of specific research questions you have formulated.
• Ethnography - when the researchers immerse themselves in the culture or subculture they study and try to see the world from a cultural member's point of view.
• Grounded Theory - is an approach that generates and modifies a theory. Data usually are collected through non-standardized interviews and participants' observation, but also by access to other data sources.
• Narrative Inquiry/Research - includes stories that reflect on people's experience and the meaning that this experience has for them.
• Phenomenology - focuses on the subjective experience of the individual and seeks to understand the essence or structure of a phenomenon from the perspective of those who experienced it.
• Case Study - has a definite quality like time, space, and or components comprising the case. It is chosen precisely because researchers are interested in insight, and discover rather than the testing of a hypothesis.
• Research Locale

  • This section describes the setting or location of your study.
  • This specific description of the setting is very important in a qualitative research since the setting or context may have an effect or impact on the behavior of the respondents.
• Sample/Respondents

  • This section describes the respondents of the study. The description may include the demographic profile of the respondents such as age, educational background, occupation, and other information that may be relevant in understanding the behavior of the respondents.
• Dala Collection Procedure

  • This section describes the specific steps you will undergo in order to collect the data for your study.
  • It is mainly divided into twos steps, THE RESEARCH INSTRUMENT and SAMPLING METHOD.

  It usually involves:

  1. Direct interaction with individuals on a oneone-to-one to one basis.
  2. Direct interaction with individuals in a group setting.
• Reminders for Qualitative Research:

  • It is time-consuming
  • Data is collected from a smaller sample
  • The information is richer, is has a deeper insight into the phenomenon under the study.
• Qualitative Research Instruments

  • This section outlines the instruments you will use in the study. These are the data-gathering devices that will be used in the study. It is a testing device for measuring a given phenomenon.
  • it is important to remember that to use qualitative methods, means that you will be generating data that is primarily in the form of words, not numbers.
• Steps in developing and utilizing a research instrument:

  1. Be clear with your research questions and the purpose of doing the investigations.
  2. Plan how you will conduct the investigation and data collection.
  3. Use research instruments that are appropriate for the type of research you are conducting.
  4. Collect, tabulate, tally, and analyze the data.
  5. Verify the validity and reliability of the collected data.
  6. Report your findings based on the data you collected.
• Interviews

  • Is a method of collecting data about an individual's behavior, opinions, values, emotions, and demographic characteristics.
  • Should be fairly informal and participants must feel that they are taking part in a conversation or discussion.
• Steps in doing an interview (BEFORE)

  1. Decide on the interview method you will use (face-to-face, phone, and video conferencing.)
  2. Choose a comfortable venue with the least amount of distractions.
  3. Decide on the duration of the interview.
  4. Prepare and master your interview guide.
• Steps in doing an interview (DURING)

  1. Be in control of the flow of the interview.
  2. Help the participants respond as easily and as naturally as possible.
  3. Demonstrate respect, professionalism, and positive attitude toward the participants throughout the interview.
• Steps in doing an interview (AFTER)

  1. Check if your recording device worked well throughout the interview.
  2. Encode the data as soon as you have finished the interview.
  3. Write some of your observations regarding the interview.
• Observations

  • May take place in natural settings and involve the researcher taking lengthy and descriptive notes of what is happening.
• Observations

  • Limitations:
  • Change in people's behavior when they know they are being observed
  • The researcher may miss something while they are watching and taking notes
  • The researcher may be judgments, make value statements or misunderstand what has been observed
  • Strengths:
  • Can offer a favor for what is happening
  • Can give an insight into the bigger picture
  • Can be used to assist in the design of the rest of the research
  • Sometimes, the researcher becomes or needs to become a participant observer, where he/she is taking part in the situation in order to be accepted and further understand the workings of the social phenomenon
• Types of Observations

  1. Written Descriptions - the researcher makes written descriptions of the people, situations or environment.
  2. Video Recording - allows the researcher to also record notes.
  3. Photographs and artifacts - useful when there is a need to collect observable information as buildings, neighborhoods, dress and appearance.
  4. Documentation - any and all kinds of documentation may be used to provide information such as local paper, information on a notice board, administrative policies and procedures.
• Survey

  • The researcher must understand the right mode of inquiry for establishing an inference whether in a large group of people or from a small number of people in a group.
  • The very aim of conducting a survey is to present and explain the actual experiences of a certain population.
  • Could be through:
  • E-mail
  • Telephone
  • Personal Interview
• Sampling

  • The process of obtaining the participants of the study from a larger pool of potential participants termed as the population.
  • Two kinds of sampling
  • Probability Sampling
  • Non-probability Sampling
• Probability Sampling

  • Each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected as a participant.
• TYPES OF PROBABILITY SAMPLING

  • Simple Random Sampling - members of the population have an equal chance of being selected as a member of the sample.
  • Stratified Random Sampling - population is divided into homogenous subgroups then a simple random sampling is conducted.
  • Systematic Random Sampling - used in a large population.
  • Cluster or Area Sampling - used when a population is disperes across a wide geographic region.
• TYPES OF NON-PROBABILITY SAMPLING

  1. Accidental or Convenience Sampling - participants are sampled based on what is conveniently available.
  2. Expert Sampling - participants identified as "experts" or those who can give high-quality information are sampled.
  3. Heterogeneity or Diversity Sampling - samples with a wide spectrum of the identified characteristics are selected.
  4. Snowball Sampling - participants identify other potential participants to be included as samples.
• Data Collection Procedure

  • Is the process by which information needed in research are collected through various tools or methods that will help answer research questions.
• Data Collection Through Interviews

  1. Individual Interview: unstructured, structured, semi-structured.
  2. Group Interview: focus groups and natural groups.
• Guidelines to be considerer during an Interview

  • The purpose of the study should guide the interviewer.
  • Provide a framework where respondents can express their own understanding.
  • Understand the strength and weakness of the different types of interview.
  • Select the type of interview appropriate to the research undertaken.
  • Avoid asking leading questions.
  • Establish personal rapport and a sense of mutual respect.
  • Take whatever steps are appropriate and necessary to gether valid and reliable information.