1. Data Collection Methods, Qualitative research
Quality of Life sub-module
Petri Kainulainen
EUREKA 2013, Mosonmagyarovar, Hungary

2. Data collection in general
Is one of the most important phases of research process
Is one of the time consuming phase of a study
Has to be planned very carefully and the plan has to be written into the study plan
Has to be performed carefully – the second chance is not ofter possible
Is a bit more challenging in qualitative research than in quantitative one – researcher is more involved
Test and practice
Data Collection Forms (quantitative research) must be tested beforehand – preferably with the small sample of actual study population
The interviews (qualitative research) must be practiced beforehand

3. Empirical research Research can be categorized into two classes
Literature based studies (literature reviews, no real observations)
The research based on real observations (empirical research)
Empirical research
Quantitative
Data collection methods:
Paper questionnaires
Internet based questionnaires
Systematic observation
Experimental studies
Qualitative research
Data collection methods:
Personal interviews
Group interviews
Observation with participation
Documents, video, etc.
Numeric data
Verbal data

4. Data collection – qualitative research
Personal interviews
Very common way to gather qualitative data in Finland
Interview should be more or less discussion initiated and led by the researcher. Not just question – answer.
The interview should be planned very carefully
The researcher has sometimes to motivate and give additional questions – quite challenging for interviewer
The study subject must be sure that her/his answers are handled confidentially
Interview can be very social event

5. Data collection – qualitative research
Structured interview
All questions are the same for every subject
Structure
Order
Meaning
Each question has beforehand built opitions (multiple choices)
Method is quite close to quantitative research – filling out the paper questionnaire with the interviewer
Semistructured interview
All questions (and the meaning) are the for every subject
There are no already built options (multiple choices)
The study subject gives the answers by own words
It’s like open field questions on paper questionnaire – the answers are more detailed by interviews

6. Data collection – qualitative research
Interview by themes
The themes are pre-selected
The questions don’t have strict form and order
All of the themes will covered, the extent and order can vary
The interviewer can have list of themes and additional questions
The method gives the study subjects more freedom to express themselves
Open interview
Like an interactive discussion between the study subject and the intervewer
The topic is pre-selected but the content may vary between the study subjects
All themes are not necessarily covered
Deep interview
More than one interview rounds
First interview: get to know each other
Second interview: gather the information
Third interview: analyze more deeply tha answers with the study subject
The research problem and the topic should be large enough
Timing can be problematic – several interviews

7. Data collection – qualitative research
Group interview
Several subjects and/or interviewers present at the same time
Can be for example interview by themes
You can achieve easily more information compared with personal interviews
New ideas
The answers can be different or more detailed than in personal interview
Easier to remember and understand – others can help
Disadvantages
The subjects may control each other
Dominating subjects can disturb the interview
Is very suitable method if the subjects have different opinions and they are willing to share them with others
The group should still be homogenous – the questions and terms should understood by same way
Suitable group size 4-8 persons
The subjects will introduce themselves to make it possible to recognize each other afterwards
The recording should be written down quickly after the interview
Can be combined with personal interview
Timing can be problematic

8. Data collection – qualitative research
General issues on interviews
Different types of interviews yield different kind of data – the selection of method should be based on the research questions
The interviews should be practised and the use of recording device checked – you won’t get a second chance
Pre-interview if possible – modify the questions and themes
Be prepared for everything (phone is ringing, you run out batteries)
Sometimes it’s hard proceed with the interview – make auxiliary questions
The recording should agreed with the study subject in advance
The place should be selected carefully
Phone can also be used
The contact between the interviewer and the subject is not so personal
How to record?
Interview should be totally voluntary basis
Trust is everything

9. Data collection – qualitative research
Observations without participation
The researcher observes the study subjects without any interaction with them
The observations can be recorded by the video or collected with paper froms
For example the researcher is observing the students’ behavior in the class room
Observations with participation
The researcher is directly involved with the study subjects
The observations will be collected systematically
The role of researcher is quite small and she/he tries not to influence on the study subjects
Action research
Like the previous one except the researcher does have a big role – she/he participates and tries to influence
The study process can be cyclic – selection of the objectives, researching, testing, changing the objectives...
Other sources of data
The data from previous studies
Dieries, letters
Memos
TV/paper commercials, radio programs, movies
Etc.