Steps of Data Collection, cont'd
In addition to the general considerations for each step of the data collection process, the five qualitative approaches have specific considerations and issues to consider prior to beginning data collection.
Locating Site/Individual
Single individual; accessible and distinctive
Issues with gaining access and building rapport
Gaining permission from individual(s), obtaining access to information in archives
Purposefully sampling
Depends on the person (may be convenient, politically important, typical, unusual, etc.)
Collecting data
In-depth interviews; also document and archival analysis, journaling, observation
Recording
Notes, interview protocol
Data storage
File folders, computer files
Data collection activity:
Phenomenology
Locating Site/Individual
Multiple individuals; all must have experienced the phenomenon of interest
Issues with gaining access and building rapport
Finding individuals who have experienced the phenomenon
Purposefully sampling
“Criterion” sample
Collecting data
In-depth interviews
Recording
Interview protocol(s), often multiple interviews with the same individuals
Data storage
Transcriptions, computer files
Data collection activity:
Grounded Theory
Locating Site/Individual
Multiple individuals
Issues with gaining access and building rapport
Locating a homogeneous sample
Purposefully sampling
“Theory-based” sample
Collecting data
Primarily interviews (in-depth interviews and focus groups)
Recording
Interview protocol, memoing
Data storage
Transcriptions, computer files
Data collection activity:
Ethnography
Locating Site/Individual
Members of a culture-sharing group or individuals representative of the group
Issues with gaining access and building rapport
Gaining access through the gatekeeper, gaining the confidence of informants
Purposefully sampling
Finding a cultural group to which one is a “stranger”
Collecting data
Participant observations; also interviews, document archival analysis, and artifacts review
Recording
Fieldnotes, interview and observational protocols
Data storage
Fieldnotes, transcriptions, computer files
Data collection activity:
Case Study
Locating Site/Individual
A bounded system (can be a person or people, a process, an activity, an event, a program)
Issues with gaining access and building rapport
Gaining access through the gatekeeper, gaining the confidence of participants
Purposefully sampling
Finding a “case” or “cases”
Collecting data
Extensive forms—documents and records, interviews, observation, and artifacts
Recording
Fieldnotes, interview and observational protocols
Data storage
Fieldnotes, transcriptions, computer files
Adapted from Creswell, JW. Table 7.1 Data Collection Activities by Five Approaches, 120-121.