Qualitative Data Collection: Open-ended Questionnaires

January 23, 2014 selvam Qualitative Research Methods

Developing a questionnaire for Qualitative Research:
Some Hints
First few questions could include demographic variables: age, gender, educational background, etc. Include only variables that are relevant to your research. Name is not to be included since generally questionnaires are to be anonymous.
For a qualitative research your questions have to be open-ended. The answers to these questions could be filled by the participant or the researcher could fill in after the interview.
The following points could improve an open-ended questionnaire:

A question that begs a yes/no answer is not an open-ended question. Example of a closed question: Do you go to church on Sundays? Example of an open-ended question: What do you normally do on Sundays?
Similarly avoid questions that might beg a one-word answer. Example of a one-word answer question: When did you finish college? Such question could be in the section on demographic questions.
Do not ask leading questions, those are questions that suggest the […]

Qualitative Data Collection: Ethnographic Methods – Observation

January 12, 2014January 12, 2014 selvam Qualitative Research Methods

Observation usually involves an intensive examination of a particular group, event, or social process. The researcher studies something that is happening or has happened without attempting to structure the conditions of observation. Most observational studies take place in the field.
Observation is a form of long unstructured interview, where the researcher interviews people informally, if need be, as events unfold before his eyes. But s/he learns not by asking questions but by what they observe.
The researcher does not attempt to influence what happens in any way but aims instead at an accurate description and analysis of what takes place. The analysis usually involves tracing cause-and-effect relationships, but some sociologists are content merely to give a precise account of their observations. These accounts may be useful to other sociologists.
Observation can be of three types:
a. Non-participant Observation: The researcher remains an outsider to the event or the group. He does not participate in […]

Qualitative Data Collection: Using Visual Sources

January 12, 2014 selvam Qualitative Research Methods

Qualitative Data Collection: Interviews

January 12, 2014 selvam Qualitative Research Methods

Qualitative Data Collection: Focus Group Discussion

January 12, 2014 selvam Qualitative Research Methods