Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Chapter 15: Collecting Information Action process of gathering information to answer research questions or queries

2 Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. In Experimental-Type Research  Obtaining information is called data collection  Is a distinct action phase that represents the crossroads between the thinking processes involved in question formation, development and implementation of design, and the action process of analysis

3 Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. In Naturalistic Inquiry  Gathering information stems from the initial query  It is embedded in an iterative, abductive approach  It involves ongoing analysis, reformulation, and refinement of the initial query

4 Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Basic Principles for Collecting Information  Information needs to be relevant and sufficient to answer the question or query.  Selection of collection strategies needs to be purposeful.  Use of a single strategy or combination of strategies must enhance validity or trustworthiness.

5 Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Strategies for Collecting Data  Observation: watching, listening, & recording  Asking questions: open ended vs. fixed response, types of interviews, questionnaires  Obtaining and examining materials  Unobtrusive methodology  Secondary data analysis  Artifact review

6 Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Obtaining Information in Naturalistic Inquiry  A dynamic and iterative process  Occurs in concert with data analysis throughout the study

7 Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. How Does Each Principle of Naturalistic Information Gathering Inform the Information You Obtain? The nature of involvement of the investigator The nature of involvement of the investigator The inductive, abductive process of gathering information, analyzing information, and gathering more information The inductive, abductive process of gathering information, analyzing information, and gathering more information The time commitment in the field The time commitment in the field The use of multiple data-collection strategies The use of multiple data-collection strategies

8 Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Logic, Process, and Structure Inductive or abductive logic Inductive or abductive logic  Inductive: theory generating  Abductive: theory selecting and fitting Structure is variable depending on purpose, type of design, and, in some cases, how the data unfold Structure is variable depending on purpose, type of design, and, in some cases, how the data unfold Process Process  Iterative  Ongoing

9 Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Logical Sequence Enter the “field” Enter the “field” Begin with unstructured, open-ended strategies Begin with unstructured, open-ended strategies Narrow your scope as you conduct analysis Narrow your scope as you conduct analysis Stop data collection when saturation occurs Stop data collection when saturation occurs

10 Copyright © 2011, 2005, 1998, 1993 by Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc. Reflexivity  Researcher must critically analyze interaction between himself or herself and the data  Examples of strategies  Memoing: recording insights or ideas related to notes, transcripts, or codes during qualitative data analysis  Researcher diary: recording events and feelings related to the research project