Kapp and Anderson identify 4 types of qualitative data collection methods. Identify and describe all 4 methods and provide an example of each type.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The 4 types of data collection methods are: (1) Open-Ended Interview: This type ofinterview is quite different than the standardized instruments used to measure depression, self-esteem, family functioning, and so forth. The purpose of those scales is to apply the instrument and collect the same information from a group of individuals for comparison. These data would be used to inform questions like these: Who is doing well?Who is not?How can we help those who are not doing so well? The questions in a qualitative interview are very close to the same across the various interviewees, but the effort focuses on providing for very different types of responses. (2) Observations: Observation can be a powerful method for learning about a service context. Often, observation (described as participant observation in many qualitative traditions) can offer insights that would not be yielded in an interview. Things may be discovered through observation that were not considered when developing a questionnaire. Also, watching someone interact in any type of social situation may be very different than what the same person might report in an interview. An example where observation would be helpful is an anger management program where a facilitator works with parents to make them aware of issues related to controlling their temper and its respective impact on parenting. (3) Focus Group Interviews: Focus group interviews permit data collection to occur through a group process. This technique combines the efficiency of a group interview, which offers the views of multiple persons, with a structure that provides for group opinions, minority views, and the opportunity to investigate anticipated and unanticipated discussion points. An evaluation team is able to collect unique information about a program using an open discussion guide in this group format. An example is using this technique to talk with low-income clients about an energy program. (4) Field Notes: Originating from ethnographic studies in anthropology, research use field research where they relocate to a specific community that is the focus of their research. The focus of their research is to develop an understanding of the lifestyle and culture of the members of that community. During a lengthy period of fieldwork, researchers use a variety of techniques to collect data, including interviews, observation, and field notes. The field notes, which function as a type of journal of the data collection process, are critical. Researchers engaged in this type of fieldwork invest immense amounts of time in their field notes. It is in the field notes where they capture the vital details of interactions, their impressions, and reactions to a broad array of critical events.