2.4 Research instruments
Interviews, surveys, in-depth interviews, case studies, fieldwork, simulations and experiments are all examples of data collection instruments that researchers may use to collect qualitative and / or quantitative data (Saunders et. al, 2006; Crotty, 1998). Surveys as indicated in section 2.2 are mostly used in quantitative research and interviews in qualitative research but researches can use an instrument or a combination of instruments that are best suited for and / or aligned to the philosophical position of the research enquiry or project (Salehi & Golafshani, 2010).
Data collection instruments can be more effective if used to collect the right type of data (Abowitz & Toole, 2010), for instance in-depth interviews are effective if they are used in a qualitative study to collect in-depth information about the phenomenon being studied (Kimberlin, & Winterstein, 2008, Saunders et al., 2009, Crotty, 1998) compared to unobtrusive experimental methods for instance but researches do sometimes use more than one data collection instrument where one is limited in some way (Leahey, 2008). An example is the study by Ryan and Golden (2006) where use of surveys followed by interviews led to completeness of information collected.
A choice of data collection instrument (s) and how it is administered has other advantages and disadvantages in data collection and in research, for example a researcher may choose to send a survey by post only and not personally
Data and statistics is able to be collected through a number of different ways to gather information, the majority of people have taken part
Research methods are “the various specific tools or ways data can be collected and analysed, e.g. a questionnaire, interview, etc.” (Neville, C, 2007).
There are two types of collecting data for research, which are qualitative and quantitative research. Qualitative research is used to gain a thorough explanation about a phenomena, and ‘is normally recognisable via the use of methods that include, at least, in-depth interview and group-moderation techniques’ (Bailey 2013)
In this assignment I will be explaining the reasons for selecting the particular method of data collection for a selected product/service.
Data collection methods are the third process. Data can be collected in many ways such as: observation, surveys, focus groups, and reanalysis of existing data, questionnaires, and interviews (Hagan, 2010, p. 19). Data collection is a vital portion of any kind of research. Inaccurate data collection will affect the results of a study and inevitably lead to invalid results.
These are research techniques that can be used to produce data such as questionnaires, structured and unstructured interviews, observations and scientific experiments.
Surveys can be used to collect information on a wide range of things, including personal facts, attitudes, past behaviors, and opinions. Survey research can be specific and limited, or it can have more global, widespread
There are a number of methods of collecting data, some of them are – questionnaire, surveys, checklists, interviews, observations, focus group etc (Cordray, 1986; Einhorn and Hogarth, 1986).
“Problems researched with the use of appropriate methods greatly enhance the value of the research.” (Sekaran, 2003) Data can be collected through interviews, questionnaires, observations, and through other techniques, like projective tests. In even more detail, interviews can be conducted in a variety of different ways such as over the phone, through the computer, interviews through the electronic media, and face-to-face. Questionnaires can be conducted personally or administered electronically. “Interviewing, administering questionnaires, and observing people and phenomena are the three main data collection methods in survey research.” (Sekaran, 2003) As stated before, data can be collected in many different ways; however the value of the research is only greatly enhanced when personal opinions and bias is left out of the collection of data.
The data collection that was chosen in qualitative research is interviews. Interviewing involves asking questions and getting answers from participants in a study. Interviewing has a variety of forms (Rowley, 2012). These forms are: individual, face-to-face interviews and face-to-face group interviewing. Asking and answers of question can be done by the telephone, face-to-face, and also many include other electronic devises. Interviews can either be structured, semi-structure, and unstructured (Rowley, 2012).
The researcher will look at different methods and decide which should use to gather the information required to answer the hypothesis questions. These methods may both include quantitative and qualitative approach such as interviews, questionnaires, conducting experiments or gathering data through statistic. After choosing appropriate methods, the researcher will investigate possible ethical implications, validity and reliability of the data collected.
Data Collection. (Specify the data collection process that will be used and the data that will be collected from subjects. Attach all instruments to be used, such as survey instruments, interview guide, assessment tools, and data collection form for existing data.) Attached you will find a copy of the survey instrument along with the Qualtrics link for online users. Please see survey link below for online data collection below. Data collection from the online surveys will be automatically saved through Qualtrics with a protected username and password.
The procedure used to collect information for the research study is a survey and the techniques used were interview and questionnaire. An interview is when questions are posed to an individual to obtain information (What Is Survey Research? - Definition, Methods & Types, n.d.). A questionnaire is a series of written questions a participant answers (What Is Survey Research? - Definition, Methods & Types, n.d.). Follow- up questionnaires were administered to participant face- to- face and participants who were living long distance were interviewed by telephone.
As a researcher begins their study they must have focused set of questions that are aimed at gathering information based on what the researcher would like to research. There are several methods of data collection researchers can use when using qualitative research to include such things as interviews, focus groups, observations, video taping and field notes to name a few types of data collections. Creswell and Poth (2018) suggested researchers use multiple methods when conducting qualitative research. This allows for stronger argument when themes prevail through multiple data collection sources. Data collection in qualitative research allows the team to ask question and modify the direction of the study as they see different themes appear throughout the research process allowing the study to really get the
2. Compare this research design with a survey research design. What advantages, if any, did this research design have over a survey?