Qualitative Data Collection Methods

• Qualitative sampling and data collection is the focus
• Data collection factors include structure, quantifiability, obtrusiveness, and objectivity
• Qualitative data collection is flexible, narrative-based, and acknowledges participant status

Qualitative Data Collection

• The researcher is a research instrument
• Uses self-reports and observational techniques
• Seldom uses bio-physiological data

Self-Report Techniques

• Involve interviews, life histories, think aloud methods, diaries, and critical incident techniques

Interviews

• Can be unstructured, semi-structured, or group-based

Completely Unstructured Interview

• Has no preconceived view
• Aims to obtain the participant's perspective without imposing the interviewer's views
• Starts broad, becomes more focused
• Begins with a 'grand tour question'
• Subsequent questions are based on initial responses
• Used by phenomenologists and ethnographers

Semi-Structured Interview

• More commonly used
• Uses a topic/interview guide
• Comprises about 5 broad questions
• Questions come from a literature review
• Focuses on main aspects of the phenomenon
• Used to start discussion
• The interviewer helps facilitate discussion
• Extra questions are generated depending on responses

Topic/Question Guide Example

• Exploration of foreign nursing students' experiences at an Australian university
• Questions explore reasons for studying in Australia, positive and negative experiences, and suggestions for universities supporting foreign students

Focus Group Discussions

• Involve 5-10 participants providing information simultaneously
• Interviewer guides the discussion using a topic/question guide
• Can collect a large amount of data at one time
• Group dynamics aid discussion
• Useful for exploring sensitive topics
• The group should be homogenous
• Watch out for dominant group members

Life Histories

• Involve narrative self-disclosure
• Focus on individual life experiences
• Respondents describe their experiences regarding a specific theme in chronological order
• Can span many years
• Can be oral or written

Think Aloud

• Used to collect data about cognitive processes like thinking and problem-solving
• Respondents make audio recordings of how they make decisions as the process is taking place
• Occurs over an extended period
• Provides a record of how decisions are made within a naturalistic context

Diaries

• Useful in providing intimate descriptions of everyday life
• Used in historical or to generate non-historical data
• Completely unstructured diaries involve respondents writing about whatever they feel or experience
• Semi-structured diaries involve respondents being asked to write about specific aspects of their experience
• Can be used with other data collection methods

Diaries Continued

• With unstructured diaries, respondents write about their experience, resulting in a general experience
• With semi-structured diaries, respondents write about concerns, resulting in a specific experience

Critical Incident Technique

• Gathers information on behavior by examining specific incidents
• Incidents examined include culture, knowledge, competence, relationships, beliefs, emotions, communication, or treatment
• Incidents should hold significance (discernible outcome/impact)
• Respondents testify as experts, discussing incidents they handled poorly or well
• Data is collected through interviews

Reflective Individuals

• Ask why the original situation was viewed that way
• Ask what assumptions were made about it
• Consider how else it could have been interpreted
• Wonder what other actions might have been more helpful
• Determine what to do if faced with a similar situation

Participant Observation

• Researcher participates in the group and collects information
• Gains more insight than merely observing
• Role is important as it determines what is observed
• Involves gaining entry and trust
• The goal is the true realities of the group's experiences and behaviors
• Being too close can be problematic

Participant Observation Continued

• It is important to decide which aspects of the observed activity are important
• Positions can be single, multiple, or mobile
• Observations are supplemented by interviews or conversations
• Recorded in log or field notes
• Notes can be descriptive or reflective
• Record close to observations to prevent data loss

Critiquing Qualitative Data Collection

• Assess if methods were appropriate and if there was an attempt to achieve data triangulation
• Assess if data collection and recording procedures were adequately described and appear appropriate
• Consider if data was collected in a way that minimized bias or behavioral distortions
• Evaluate if the staff that collected data were appropriately trained
• Confirm the data collected was relevant to the research question