Qualitative Research

Methodology – Data collection

Methods and Study Design
Qualitative Research - Data
collection methods
Data collection based on
◦ Participant Observation
◦ Interviews (In-Depth Interview)
 Key Informant Interview
◦ Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
◦ Document Review
Data collection methods –
Participant Observation
Participant Observation
Participant observation is appropriate for
collecting data on naturally occurring
behaviours in their usual contexts.

• Its objective is to help researchers learn the

perspectives held by study populations
• Participant observation always takes place in
community /hospital settings, in locations
believed to have some relevance to the research
questions.
• The method is distinctive because the
researcher approaches participants in their own
Data collection methods –
Participant Observation
Researchers make careful, objective notes
about what they see, recording all accounts
and observations as field notes in a field
notebook
Informal conversation and interaction with
members of the study population are also
important components of the method and
should be recorded in the field notes
Data obtained through participant
observation serve as a check against
participants’ subjective reporting of what
they believe and do.
 Data collection methods - IDI

In-depth Interview (IDI)

In-depth interviews are optimal for collecting
data on individuals’ personal histories,
perspectives, and experiences, particularly
when sensitive topics are being explored.

• The in-depth interview is a technique designed

to elicit a vivid picture of the participant’s
perspective on the research topic.
• In-depth interviews are usually conducted face-
to-face and involve one interviewer and one
participant.
• IDI is an effective qualitative method for
getting people to talk about their personal
Data collection methods -
IDI
Interviews are especially
appropriate for addressing
sensitive topics that people might
be reluctant to discuss in a group
setting
Data collection tools
◦ tape recordings
◦ typed transcripts of tape recordings
◦ interviewer’s notes
Data collection methods -
IDI
Interviews should be conducted in a
private location with no outsiders
present and where people feel that their
confidentiality is completely protected
An interview guide is an outline, not a
questionnaire, consists of Open-ended
questions with Probes
Examples of probes
◦ What do you mean when you say….?
◦ What happened then?
◦ Would you kindly elaborate?
Data collection methods -
IDI
Types of Probes
◦ Active or Direct Probes:
 Asking for additional information
 Asking for clarification
 Asking about new ideas
◦ Indirect Probes:
 Silence
 Empathy
 Body language
Data collection methods -
IDI
Interview Steps
 Preparing for the Interview
1. Getting familiar with the instruments:
1. Study the interview guide.
2. Study the informed consent document.
3. Practice with a partner.
2. Day of the interview:
1. Using a checklist, verify that you have all the equipment.
If the instruments and consent forms exist in more than
one language, be sure you have the appropriate ones for
that participant.
2. Label all data documentation materials with an identical
archival number, including tapes, notebooks, and
question guides.
3. Arrive early at the interview site to set up equipment.
4. Test your recording equipment.
Data collection methods -
IDI
 Conducting the Interview
1. Greet the participant in a friendly manner to begin establishing
positive rapport.
2. Briefly describe the steps of the interview process (informed
consent, question and answer, their questions,
reimbursement).
3. Obtain informed consent.
4. Turn on the tape recorder and verify that it is working.
5. Verify informed consent orally with the tape recorder on.
6. Conduct the interview according to the interview guide.
7. End the question-asking phase of the interview.
8. Give the participant the opportunity to ask questions.
9. Reconfirm the participant’s consent while the tape recorder is
still on.
10. Turn off the tape recorder and thank the participant.
11. Clarify any factual errors expressed by participants during the
interview.
12. Reimburse the participant in accordance with study procedures.
Data collection methods -
IDI
1. After the Interview
1. Check the tape to see if the interview was
recorded. If it was not, expand your notes
immediately.
2. Punch out the re-record tab.
3. Make sure all materials are labeled with the
archival number.
4. Debrief with other field staff
5. Assemble all materials into one envelope.
Double-check that you have completed all
forms and that all materials are appropriately
labeled. Note and explain any missing
materials on the archival information sheet.
6. Expand your notes within 24 hours if possible.
Data collection methods -
IDI
On average, in-depth interviews
last from one to two hours
Important skills for in-depth
interviewing
◦ Rapport-building
◦ Emphasizing the participant’s
perspective
◦ Adapting to different personalities
and emotional states
Data collection methods – Key
Informant interview
Individuals with good knowledge of
aspects of the community or the
present emergency are interviewed
“Selecting an ambassador” who
represents the best knowledge on a
phenomenon
Face-to-face interviews
Pre-designed format
Assumes a prior knowledge of
phenomenon and rests on the
knowledge of the “ambassador”
 Data collection methods - FGD
Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
A focus group is a qualitative data collection
method in which one or two researchers and
several
participants meet as a group to discuss a
given research topic.

• A focus group is a small group guided by a

trained leader, used to learn more about opinions
on a designated topic, and then guide future
action
• FGD helping researchers learn the social norms
of a community or subgroup, as well as the range
of perspectives that exist within that community
or subgroup.
Data collection methods -
FGD
Focus groups are not the best method
for acquiring information on highly personal
or socially sensitive topics; one-on-one
interviews are better-suited for such topics.
A principal advantage of focus groups is
that they yield a large amount of
information over a relatively short period of
time
FGDs are especially effective for capturing
information about social norms and the
variety of opinions or views within a
population.
Data collection methods -
FGD
Focus group data consist of
◦ tape recordings,
◦ transcripts of those recordings,
◦ the moderator’s and note-taker’s
notes from the discussion,
◦ notes from the debriefing session
held after the focus group.
Data collection methods -
FGD
Who conducts the focus group?
◦ Focus groups work best when
conducted by two researchers named
‘facilitators’
 Moderator
 responsible for leading the focus group
discussion,
 posing all questions specified in the focus group
question guide, keeping the discussion
 on track, and
 encouraging all participants to contribute.
Data collection methods -
FGD
 Note-taker
 note-takers are responsible for taking detailed
notes of the discussion
 for tasks related to recording (operating the tape
recorder, labeling the cassette tapes, and taking
appropriate security measures to protect the tapes
once the session is over)
 facilitate the logistics of participant arrivals and
departures, such as early withdrawal and escort to
the restroom.
Both facilitators should be prepared
to perform either role, in case it
becomes necessary to switch roles
during the focus group.
Data collection methods -
FGD
A typical number of participants
for FGD is 8 to 10 people, with a
maximum of 12 and minimum of
4
Focus group sessions usually last
from one to two hours and should
include time for participants to
take a break
Data collection methods -
FGD
FGD process
◦ Planning
◦ Recruiting
◦ Moderating
◦ Analysing and Reporting
Data collection methods -
FGD
How to conduct a FGD?
◦ Recheck your goals
◦ Prepare the informed consent
◦ Consider other methods
◦ Find a good leader
◦ Find a recorder
◦ Decide about participants
◦ Decide about incentives/refreshments
◦ Prepare your questions.
◦ Review the arrangements.
Data collection methods -
FGD
Questions: Guide development
principle
◦ Focus on objective
◦ Open ended questions with probe
◦ Conversational
◦ Clear, brief, jargon-free
◦ Seek feedback from professionals
Data collection methods -
FGD
When the group meets
◦ Register participants and take consent
◦ Make small talk
◦ Introduce the focus group
◦ Ask questions
◦ Anticipate the flow
◦ Control your reactions
◦ Probe in between to keep in track
◦ Be comfortable with the pause
◦ Listen
◦ Summarize the discussion
◦ Get the people to leave
◦ Debrief with assistant moderator/ observer
Data collection methods -
FGD
After the meeting:
◦ Make a transcript or written
summary of the meeting.
◦ Examine the data for patterns,
themes, new questions, and
conclusions.
◦ Share the results with the group.
◦ Use the results.
 Strength of IDI versus FGD
IDI • Eliciting individual • Elicits in-depth responses,
experiences, with
opinions, feelings nuances and contradictions

• Addressing sensitive • Gets at interpretive

topics perspective, i.e., the
connections and relationships
a
person sees between
particular
events, phenomena, and
beliefs
FG • Identifying group norms • Elicits information on a
D range of
• Eliciting opinions about norms and opinions in a short
group norms time

• Discovering variety • Group dynamic stimulates

Document Review
– Work with existing documents
– Site visit reports, quarterly
reports, past evaluations, etc.
– Window on past events or ideas
Class Assignment
Ethical
considerations for
conducting IDI and FGD