Fieldwork
Fieldwork is normally to find out what is happening in the “field” or in reality, it refers to the process of going out to collect research data. Such data may be described as original or empirical. For me it will be within my own work environment. This might also involve visiting another institution/class to interview members of staff, hand out questionnaires to customers and even observing what takes place. Fieldwork will initially be doing the research for instance questionnaires, observations and interviews.
Deskwork
Deskwork consists of those research processes which do not necessitate going into the field. It consists of those things that can be done whilst sitting at a desk. These may include the administration, collection and analysis of a postal survey, the analysis of data collected by others and literature searches in the library. This will be collecting the data I have received from my questionnaires, observations and interviews and analysing what I have read, gathered and learned.
I think that both are essential to my project and I will make use of both because I need to do the fieldwork in order to complete the deskwork. I need to form the data in order to analyse the data. I will wish to compare data arising from literature and documentation in my work place with not only m own experience but also other peoples organisational experience and perceptions.
Showing posts with label interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interviews. Show all posts
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Primary & Secondary Research
Primary Research
Primary research is “experiments, investigations, or tests carried out to acquire primary data, the data observed or collected directly from first-hand experience” http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/primary-research.html. In other words research collected directly by myself directly relevant to my topic/problem. It provides me with insights to seeing solutions and gaining answers for example surveys, interviews and questionnaires.
Secondary Research
Secondary research is “Examining or reading about someone else's research” http://www.investorwords.com/4425/secondary_research.html or research that already exists. Things to consider,
Evaluate the following for Secondary Research:
* It’s credibility, is it useful and dependable?
* Look at the way it’s collected – the methodology used
* The accuracy of the data
* The currency (age) of the data
* The objectivity of the data (Bias against)
* The content of the data
Note all secondary research is 100% reliable
Sources
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/primary-research.html
http://www.investorwords.com/4425/secondary_research.html
Primary research is “experiments, investigations, or tests carried out to acquire primary data, the data observed or collected directly from first-hand experience” http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/primary-research.html. In other words research collected directly by myself directly relevant to my topic/problem. It provides me with insights to seeing solutions and gaining answers for example surveys, interviews and questionnaires.
Secondary Research
Secondary research is “Examining or reading about someone else's research” http://www.investorwords.com/4425/secondary_research.html or research that already exists. Things to consider,
Evaluate the following for Secondary Research:
* It’s credibility, is it useful and dependable?
* Look at the way it’s collected – the methodology used
* The accuracy of the data
* The currency (age) of the data
* The objectivity of the data (Bias against)
* The content of the data
Note all secondary research is 100% reliable
Sources
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/primary-research.html
http://www.investorwords.com/4425/secondary_research.html
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Ways of Collecting Data
Observations
Observation methods have been developed with the objective of 'observing people in their natural setting - as they go about their everyday lives
'Non-participant observation is where the researcher observes behaviour from a distance without interacting with the subject being studied
Participant observation is where the researcher sets out with the aim the aim or 'understanding the world of the subject by putting themselves in their position' Here, the researcher becomes part of the world of the subject, empathising with their position.
Observation methods can overcome some of the criticisms of quantitative research methods (Validity, bias etc.) and can be useful when its subject can't provide information, or can only provide inaccurate information.
(Information By Design. Ltd, NHS, Date unknown: South East Public Health Observatory Lifestyle Survey Toolkit.) http://www.lifestylesurvey.org.uk/observation.html
Interviews
"What is the Interview?
Interviews provide in-depth information about a particular research issue or question. Because the information is not quantifiable (i.e., not amenable to statistical analysis), the interview often is described as a qualitative research method. Whereas quantitative research methods (e.g., the experiment) gather a small amount of information from many subjects, interviews gather a broad range of information from a few subjects.
When we analyze the results from an interview we use the "hermeneutic method." We look at how all the statements made by the interviewee are inter-related. What are the contradictions and consistencies? What is the "big picture" of what the interviewee is trying to say - and how does every individual statement from the interviewee relate to this big picture? The interview is a "holistic" research method: all the bits of data from the interviewee provide you this "big picture" that transcends any one single bit of data.
The information from the interview is not objective data as in quantitative research methods. If the interviewee is an expert on some particular topic or possesses some special skill or experience, his or her responses may be "facts" or "opinions" depending on how you look at it. It really doesn't matter. A good interview is the art and science of exploring the subjective knowledge, opinions, and beliefs of an individual. The knowledge, opinions, and beliefs of that person are a "system." The purpose of the interview is to explore that system and all of its elements".
http://www-usr.rider.edu/~suler/interviews.html#whatis
Questionnaires (also known as Surveys)
"A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is not always the case. The questionnaire was invented by Sir Francis Galton.
Questionnaires have advantages over some other types of surveys in that they are cheap, do not require as much effort from the questioner as verbal or telephone surveys, and often have standardized answers that make it simple to compile data. However, such standardized answers may frustrate users. Questionnaires are also sharply limited by the fact that respondents must be able to read the questions and respond to them. Thus, for some demographic groups conducting a survey by questionnaire may not be practical" (Answers Corporation, 2010: Wikipedia-Questionnaire) and http://sophiejgilbert.blogspot.com/2010/03/learning-diary-entry-4.html
Observation methods have been developed with the objective of 'observing people in their natural setting - as they go about their everyday lives
'Non-participant observation is where the researcher observes behaviour from a distance without interacting with the subject being studied
Participant observation is where the researcher sets out with the aim the aim or 'understanding the world of the subject by putting themselves in their position' Here, the researcher becomes part of the world of the subject, empathising with their position.
Observation methods can overcome some of the criticisms of quantitative research methods (Validity, bias etc.) and can be useful when its subject can't provide information, or can only provide inaccurate information.
(Information By Design. Ltd, NHS, Date unknown: South East Public Health Observatory Lifestyle Survey Toolkit.) http://www.lifestylesurvey.org.uk/observation.html
Interviews
"What is the Interview?
Interviews provide in-depth information about a particular research issue or question. Because the information is not quantifiable (i.e., not amenable to statistical analysis), the interview often is described as a qualitative research method. Whereas quantitative research methods (e.g., the experiment) gather a small amount of information from many subjects, interviews gather a broad range of information from a few subjects.
When we analyze the results from an interview we use the "hermeneutic method." We look at how all the statements made by the interviewee are inter-related. What are the contradictions and consistencies? What is the "big picture" of what the interviewee is trying to say - and how does every individual statement from the interviewee relate to this big picture? The interview is a "holistic" research method: all the bits of data from the interviewee provide you this "big picture" that transcends any one single bit of data.
The information from the interview is not objective data as in quantitative research methods. If the interviewee is an expert on some particular topic or possesses some special skill or experience, his or her responses may be "facts" or "opinions" depending on how you look at it. It really doesn't matter. A good interview is the art and science of exploring the subjective knowledge, opinions, and beliefs of an individual. The knowledge, opinions, and beliefs of that person are a "system." The purpose of the interview is to explore that system and all of its elements".
http://www-usr.rider.edu/~suler/interviews.html#whatis
Questionnaires (also known as Surveys)
"A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is not always the case. The questionnaire was invented by Sir Francis Galton.
Questionnaires have advantages over some other types of surveys in that they are cheap, do not require as much effort from the questioner as verbal or telephone surveys, and often have standardized answers that make it simple to compile data. However, such standardized answers may frustrate users. Questionnaires are also sharply limited by the fact that respondents must be able to read the questions and respond to them. Thus, for some demographic groups conducting a survey by questionnaire may not be practical" (Answers Corporation, 2010: Wikipedia-Questionnaire) and http://sophiejgilbert.blogspot.com/2010/03/learning-diary-entry-4.html
Research methods learning diary 5 (16th March 2010)
Not being able to attend the campus sessions is really frustrating as I almost feel like I have to do double the work by reading lots of other blogs to find out what was covered in the actual session and then my own research. I am unable to make the sessions as I have a performance to choreograph on May day and have been sent to a high school to teach a short dance to country music. This is a very big challenge as the school is known for its behaviour issues and the children often have poor attendance. To keep me on track I have looked at Sophie Gilbert’s blog http://sophiejgilbert.blogspot.com as she is very detailed in her work and this has helped me greatly.
I am now starting to make notes all of the research methods and will be posting research on Interviews, Questionnaires and Observations in my next post. I do feel more confident that I understand the meaning, advantages and disadvantages of all the different research methods. This is soon to help me start to consider which methods of research will be best suited to my chosen topic on “People’s perceptions about Pole Dancing as a recognised sport”. It will be important to consider all the research methods that are appropriate for my topic to gain the possible answers. It is therefore important to use the correct research tool not only to get these answers but also to use the time needed on collecting the necessary information.
I will continue to make notes and post my research methods that I think will be appropriate/inappropriate, helpful/unhelpful and why shortly. This will be the stepping stone towards my research proposal.
I am now starting to make notes all of the research methods and will be posting research on Interviews, Questionnaires and Observations in my next post. I do feel more confident that I understand the meaning, advantages and disadvantages of all the different research methods. This is soon to help me start to consider which methods of research will be best suited to my chosen topic on “People’s perceptions about Pole Dancing as a recognised sport”. It will be important to consider all the research methods that are appropriate for my topic to gain the possible answers. It is therefore important to use the correct research tool not only to get these answers but also to use the time needed on collecting the necessary information.
I will continue to make notes and post my research methods that I think will be appropriate/inappropriate, helpful/unhelpful and why shortly. This will be the stepping stone towards my research proposal.
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