Data Collection Methods in Research Discussion

Data Collection Methods in Research Discussion Board

Instructions/Descriptions

Data Collection Methods in Research Discussion Board

[Order Now]

Reply to at least 2 of your classmates’ threads, in at least 150 words, building upon the original thread or offering a contrasting viewpoint. The replies must be substantive, and must further the discussion.

Please respond at least 150 words to the following:

There are numerous methods of data collection when performing research.  The main type of methods of data collection are surveys, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, tests, scales, and observational methods. Surveys and questionnaires are an example of a social research method that typically focuses on data collection from and about people (Moser & Korstjens, 2017).

Advantages of surveys and questionnaires are that they provide large amounts of data standardization, may be adapted to collect generalizable information from almost any human population and provide a relatively simple and straightforward approach of the study of attitudes, values, beliefs and motives (Robson & McCartan, 2016).

Disadvantages of surveys and questionnaires would be that data is affected by the characteristics of the respondent and respondents may not necessarily report their beliefs and attitudes accurately, which can produce social desirability response bias (Robson & McCartan, 2016).  According to Robson and McCartan (2016), surveys and questionnaires are typically used in a non-experimental fixed research design.

Interviews and focus groups are another example of social research that involves a researcher asking questions to another person (Moser & Korstjens, 2017).  Advantages of interviews and focus groups are it provides a flexible and adatable way of discovering new information and allow for follow up questions to be asked to further research concepts and ideas (Robson & McCartan, 2016).

A disadvantage to using interviews and focus groups would be that interviews and focus groups lack standardization, which can provide issues with reliability with the data (Robson & McCartan, 2016).  According to Robson and McCartan (2016), interviews and focus groups are typically used in qualitative research designs.

According to Robson and McCartan (2016), tests and scales are typically used in quantitative research designs.  Common scales that can be used for measurement are the summated rating (Likert) scale, the equal appearing interval (Thurstone) scale, the cumulated (Guttman) scale and semantic differential scales (Robson & McCartan, 2016).

According to Robson and McCartan (2016), participant observation typically utilizes a flexible (qualitative) research design while a structured observation typically utilizes a fixed (quantitative) research design.  Participant observation is mostly used for studies focusing on anthropology, sociology, communication, human geography and social psychology (Pope & Mays, 202

Please respond at least 150 words to the following:

Surveys are a tool used to collect data on a predefined area of interest.  Surveys are generally easy to perform and are often used under fixed methods, where the contents of the surveys are planned ahead of time and administered under specific conditions (Robson & McCartan, 2018).

Surveys may be performed at nearly any time, provided that the respondents are informed of the approximately time frame that they expect to complete the survey.

Questionnaires are related to surveys insofar that many surveys are made up of questionnaires.  Questionnaires are asked questions with a selection of answers.  Often these questions are fixed and fall under fixed designs.  As with surveys, they may be performed at any time provided the subject is informed of the approximate length of time it will take to complete.

Interviews are formal meetings by which information may be obtained.  Often conducted one-on-one or several on one different person.  These may be tied into questionnaires in that questions may be prepared ahead of time, be open ended, and be asked to assess the reaction of the individual being interviewed (Speer, Christiansen, & Laginess, 2019).

Interviews may be mixed method designs in part due to the questions being planned in advance, but the respondents’ answers allow for flexibility.  Interviews are more logistically difficult to perform due to potential scheduling conflict with subjects or administrators.  They may be performed at the time when both schedules may align.

Focus Groups are demographically diverse groups that are facilitated through guided discussion regarding a topic or selection of topics.  Related to interviews, this is usually performed with a larger group of people with a moderator guiding the questions and the discussions.

Focus Groups are characteristic of multiple method designs so that they are planned but may be flexible due to the diverse nature of a focus group. Focus groups, involving more people, are more difficult to perform and thus require a set date and time to administer.

Tests are tools which measure the reliability, validity, quality, and performance of something.  Tests may be administered in the form of questionnaires or through interviews.  Tests are often characteristic of fixed designs.  Tests may be performed in the same manner as surveys, provided that the subjects receive adequate information prior to completion of the test as to how long it will take.

Scales are quantitative assessments, or tests, which provide a weighted range of options.  Often scales are tests which have a selection of answers on a range rather than any concrete answers (Vergauwe, Kaiser, Wille, De Fruyt, & Hofmans, 2018).

[Order Now]

Scales are ideal for mixed method designs due to the planned nature of the scales but with some amount of flexibility in the subject responses.  Scales are able to be performed at nearly any time, provided the subjects receive adequate notification of their time commitment.

Observational Methods are processes by which one observes to gain information.  Direct observation is a method by which the researcher directly observes the behaviors or actions of the subjects that they are studying.

Indirect observations are observations that may be filmed or via alternative methods in observing the subjects.  Observations are flexible because in any area, this method may apply and can be performed at any time.

Data Collection Methods in Research Discussion Board

PLACE THE ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET A PERFECT SCORE!!!