Data Collection Method Comparison - Case Study Example

Data Collection Method Comparison Course Date Introduction Research methodology employs two schools of thought in qualitative and quantitative ways to collect data. Qualitative methods are usually subjective and allow opinions and biasness while quantitative method is more of objective and analyzes data by numerical data. However, most researchers use qualitative since they are simple, clear and easy to analyze. It uses designs that involve all the affected parties. They include interviews, observations, samples and oral narratives. These methods are extensively used by researchers in ethnography, phenomenology and narrative stories (Creswell, 2014) which try to obtain information by immersing themselves into society culture and norms. Comparing and contrasting of various data collection methods. Interview and observations Both are an effective way of collecting data from a particular group in the society since it involves direct participation of the researcher and participant which ensures the information provided is true. Nevertheless, their exist numerous contradicting ideas on how interviews and observations are usually carried out and their analysis as discussed below; Observations usually require more time especially if it involves participant observation since the researcher will have to stay among the participants to collect adequate information while Interviews take a shorter period of time since the questions are already established (Bernard, 2013). Interviews usually require specific data recording methods such as tape for coding as opposed to observations in case of direct observations which provides for a wider methods of data coding. E.g vedio Through observations, the data is collected as it happens in the ground since the participant sees what is being done. This eliminates lies staged managed actions. Interviews on the other hand deal with data that is major individual’s opinions which may be subjective in nature. The respondent can provide information as what you want to hear or what they think is based. Data collected by means of interviews are usually easy to analyze since they deal in similar questions that provides same answers (Bryman, 2012). Observations are difficult to analyze since information collected is unstructured and difficult to amalgamate. In collecting primary data, there is written and none written. Written includes collecting and reading artifacts while non- written includes interviews and observations. Their similarities and differences are discussed below; Written and non-written methods Both the non-written and written methods involve collecting information on first hand basis which validates the information to be truthful in the social research. None the less, their exist difference in the use of non-written and written ways of collecting data. The researcher might misinterpret the information about artifacts since he carries his/her own analysis and only believes in the recorded data. This is quite the opposite with the use of non written methods such as observations and interviews where the researcher knows and determines the accurate use of a particular object through the society use or provided in explanations in case of interviews (Stangor, 2011). Primary and secondary data Both of the primary and secondary sources act as a source of information and only time frames that separates them. Primary data occurred before the event while a secondary source happened after the occurrence. However, primary data is usually obtained directly from the field by the researcher to conduct a study about a specific topic. Its information is derived for the original purpose of the problem. It involves researcher living among the responded, carrying out various interviews and analyzing the existing artifacts that are used by the community (Creswell, 2014). On the other hand, secondary information are those data is already stored which were collected through primary research (Matthews, & Kostelis, 2011). They are usually data repurposed to analyze a new problem or for references. They include such information such as theory, research result and other related scholarly articles providing analysis to the problem. Ethnographic studies An ethnographic study is research that involves a given small group of people who are constructed into their norms. It studies the culture of different communities. The researcher is usually forced to stay or be involved into the major activities of the group under study during the course of fieldwork for him/her to understand them better (Bucheli& Wadhwani, 2014). The researcher observes them through different behaviors, traits that are portrayed by the members and draw conclusions. However, the method is usually subjective rather than objective since he makes all the decisions concerning the data collection, analysis and conclusions. He/she draws questions that may lead to a particular answer and can be biased on some members of the society hence compromising the research. Phenomenological studies This is the study that majorly deals in personal experience and awareness. It tries to analyze on how something appears, why they tend to appear as being observed and on what reasons we have or understands them. They construct them from the first person point of view which determines his/her own consciousness hence are more realistic rather being subjective about a particular knowledge (Bogost,2012). It does so by finding out on a common experience, its nature and essence and how the persons were affected. The study uses methods such as samples which are homogenous, one-on-one interviews and research questions which are provided for in the literature review. The information is then analyzed through composite and precise in a procedural manner. The researcher then finds any relationship of the data to the existence of a phenomenon and generates conclusions. Narrative stories This is the study where the researcher studies only one person in his or her lifetime experiences. The researchers inquire if individuals could provide his personal stories over time. From the stories that are provided by the participants, the researcher is able to draw conclusions such as emotions, belief, thoughts and many personal traits. Researchers usually believes that stories are one way that information is provided in society since it is passed from generation to generation thus the children are able to carry it to the future (Goodwin,2011). This method usually involves personal interaction by the participant hence employs direct ways to collect data (Mehl, & Conner, 2012). They include, interviews, observations, creating a focus group and biographies. The most reliable method is the use of biographies for the easiest way to generate the ideas since they are centrally placed to an individual. Problems that may lend the researcher to design studies. Researchers usually desires to collect more extensive data about a particular problem which cannot always be provided in quantitative research hence making the designs to be a more suitable means for data collection (Bryman, 2012). For instance, the researchers uses measures such as observations and can draw his/her own conclusions, can narrow down bigger groups into smaller groups by use of purposive samples which provides more and easier way to analyze about a population. The designs are more suited where there is need for new data concerning a particular problem in the society. This makes the researcher to use either of the methods which makes them meet the participant directly (Willig, 2013). The researcher can thus determine the changing society norms, beliefs, culture and behavior which could not be identified by the use of the previous data. At times, there is always need to involve all the parties concerned in a research hence participatory methods must be employed. This forces the researchers and the participant to be directly involved in finding answers to research problems (Boulto & Tam, 2012). Issues faced by researchers while using the designs Researchers usually fears for their safety while in the study. This is due to the fact that he is new to the culture and to the population and may be isolated among the society members. This creates tension for them and may not actively participate in the research process (Lapan, Quartaroli,& Riemer,2012). There is always a language barrier between the researcher and the participant especially if they are from different cultures with diverse language. The researcher will be forced to learn new language if he is to be effective in the research (Bryman, 2012). This causes delays, time wasting and costly methods since it takes time to know a particular language or costly if the interpreter is to be hired. Participants may voluntarily deceit from providing information to the researcher or lie as a way of resistance for being observed more frequently or due to the strangeness of the researcher and out of fear decides to pull out of the research. Different cultures and societies usually have code of conducts and ethics among them. The researcher thus is forced to abide to the existing rules of any particular group that is under study. (Delamont, 2012).This may be difficult since the researcher may not be ready to change his behavior every now and again. Conclusion Society is always constructed into its own culture and norms. This determines their behavior, way of understandings, causal events and experiences over time. Researchers who use this people can obtain accurate information about a problem that can be used to provide accurate conclusions and interpretations. However, the researcher must be ready to adapt to any given way of life of a particular society if they are to obtain reliable information. Reference Bernard, H. R. (2013). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications. Bogost, I. (2012). Alien phenomenology, or, What its like to be a thing. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. Boulton-Lewis, G., & Tam, M. (2012). Active ageing, active learning: Issues and challenges. Dordrecht [etc.: Springer. Bucheli, M., & Wadhwani, R. D. (2014). 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