PRACTICAL

RESEARCH 1
A Qualitative Research
ENRICHING DATA
THROUGH
OBSERVATION
AND INTERVIEWS
NAME THE FOLLOWING
DEVICES AND INDICATE
HOW YOU THINK THEY CAN
BE USED IN RESEARCH.
NAME THE FOLLOWING
DEVICES AND INDICATE
HOW YOU THINK THEY CAN
BE USED IN RESEARCH.
NAME THE FOLLOWING
DEVICES AND INDICATE
HOW YOU THINK THEY CAN
BE USED IN RESEARCH.
NAME THE FOLLOWING
DEVICES AND INDICATE
HOW YOU THINK THEY
CAN BE USED IN
RESEARCH.
NAME THE FOLLOWING
DEVICES AND INDICATE
HOW YOU THINK THEY CAN
BE USED IN RESEARCH.
 1 2
1. Why is it necessary to use 2. Do you think devices and
the right method or instrument tools always work to the benefit
for a particular task? of the user? Why or why not?
3. Do you agree that not all
instruments or tools are physical?
Why or why not?

4. In a research study, why do you

think there is a need for the use of
specific research tools?

5. What can happen if a researcher’s

methods and instruments are not
prepared meticulously?
 COLLECTING DATA THROUGH
OBSERVATION AND INTERVIEWS
The basic and common methods of data collection
used in qualitative research are observations and
interviews. The choice of the method is dependent on
the needs of the research. The researcher may adopt a
variety of research technique, or combinations of the
methods. This chapter will introduce you to techniques
and methods commonly used in qualitative research.
 METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION
IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Observation is a preferred tool for collecting data

where the use of interviews and questionnaires are not
possible, such as when the study participants are very
young children and those with disabilities.
 When using the observation method, you use
senses to observe and study people in their natural
settings. It involves observing behavior and recording
the results of your observations using the following
systematic guidelines:
1. Observations should be certain and carefully
planned. Pre-planned research questions serve as guide
throughout the process.
2. An observation checklist should be prepared prior
to the observation process. This shall be used for
recording observations. A video recording may also be
used when observing behavioral data that you want to
measure or collect.
3. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods
may be used for data analysis.
 Observation can be used within any research
strategy. Observations can take various shapes and use
different senses and/or equipment. In covert research,
the fact that they are observed is not known to the
participants. In overt research, the participants are
informed about the observation taking place.
A. Participant observation
B. B. Systematic or Direct observation
TWO (2) TYPES OF OBSERVATION

2.
1. Structured
Unstructured
Observation
Observation
ADVANTAGES
1. It is the most direct measure of
behavior.
2. It provides direct information.
3. It is easy to complete and is efficient.
4. It can be used in natural or
experimental settings.
DISADVANTAGES
1. It may require training.

2. It is susceptible to bias.

3. Observer’s presence may create an artificial situation.

4. It can potentially overlook meaningful aspects.

5. It is open to misinterpretation.

6. It is difficult to analyze.
 1. Look at everyday life in a clear manner.
Empty yourself of preoccupied thoughts.

2. Be curious. As you look for some objects try

to focus and look at every side of it, the color,
IMPROVING the shape, what makes it up and other details.

YOUR 3. Be inquisitive. Always try to ask people

OBSERVATION
questions.

SKILLS 4. Be open to new experiences. Develop a

positive attitude towards experiencing new
things.

5. Know your own behavior attitudes and

personal skills and how they impact others. Go
on research. Surf the net. Read more.
 6. Be willing to seek the inputs of others. Be
humble enough to receive criticisms, this will open
your mind to new avenues and perceptions.

7. Be open to new ideas. Listen to someone.

Attend meetings and convocations.
IMPROVING
YOUR 8. Practice good listening skills.
OBSERVATION
SKILLS 9. Set aside personal biases.

10. Be comfortable with ambiguity.

INTERVIEW
An interview is a personal conversation
between two or more people which constitute the
target population for the purpose of collecting
information for a research project. Interviews are
used to explore the opinions, beliefs, viewpoints,
thoughts, experiences and judgements about
something. The interview method is preferred by
researchers on qualitative research projects due to
its high response rate, longer time and opportunity
to view behaviors and listen to personal views and
perceptions about a research topic or interest.
 TYPES OF
INTERVIEW
There are three fundamental
types of research interviews: the
structured, semistructured and
the unstructured.
 are verbally administered
questionnaires, in which a list of predetermined
questions is asked with little or no variation and with
no scope for follow-up questions to responses that
warrant further elaboration. By their very nature, they
only allow for limited participant responses and are,
therefore, of little use if ‘depth’ is required.
 do not reflect any pre-conceived
theories or ideas and are performed with little or no organization.
Such an interview may simply start with an opening question such
as “Can you tell me about your experience of visiting the doctor?”
and will then progress, based primarily, upon the initial response.
Unstructured interviews are usually very time-consuming and can be
difficult to manage and to participate in, as the lack of
predetermined interview questions provides little guidance on what
to talk about, which may cause confusion to both participants and
interviewer.
 consist of several key
questions that help to define the areas to be explored, but also
allows the interviewer or interviewee to diverge in order to
pursue an idea or response in more detail. The flexibility of this
approach, particularly compared to structured interviews, also
allows for the discovery or elaboration of information that is
important to participants but may not have previously been
thought of as pertinent by the research team.
 In contrast to the unstructured interviews,
semi-structured interviews are those indepth
interviews where the respondents have to answer
pre-set open-ended questions and thus are widely
employed by different researchers especially by
healthcare professionals in their research.
 INTERVIEWING GROUPS OF PEOPLE FOR
RESEARCH (FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION)

When interviewing an individual to

obtain detailed information or perception
about a program or issue, it is usually
referred to as in-depth interview. In- depth
interview is used if respondents are not
comfortable discussing in a group.
1. PLANNING STAGE
❑Identify the participants in the study first by
groups. You may use purposive sampling.
❑Have a listing of the respondents to be
interviewed.
2. DEVELOPMENT OF INSTRUMENT
❑ Develop the interview guide
❑ List the question to be asked during the interview
❑ An ideal number of not more than 15 questions may
guide you in the interview.
However, further questions may be asked for in-depth
probing of issues which may pop out during the interview
process.
 are used when your
research interest is on the cultural norms of
a group of people. You will be able to
generate views, perceptions, practices and
beliefs on issues unique to the cultural
groups or subgroups represented.
 Employ Employ purposive sampling in choosing the group
of respondents.

WHEN
INTERVIEWING Invite Invite the groups of respondents in advance.

OF PEOPLE
CALLED FOCUS Send Send the information sheet and consent form to

GROUP, YOU
the respondents.

MAY USE THE

FOLLOWING Set Set the time and venue of the interview.

GUIDE:
Set up Set up the technical support like video recordings,
camera, projector, etc.
 6. Provide refreshments for the participants
and offer them traveling expenses; if needed.

WHEN
INTERVIEWING 7. Provide the proper orientation about the
interview to the participants.
OF PEOPLE
CALLED FOCUS 8. Explain the objective or purpose of the
GROUP, YOU research study and the interview process.

MAY USE THE 9. Develop and use the interview guide with
FOLLOWING open-ended questions.

GUIDE:
10. In focus group interviews, you may ask
further questions, clarify issues or unclear
responses.
 1. Taking notes
HOW TO
RECORD AN 2. Audio recordings
INTERVIEW?
3. Video recordings
OTHER WAYS TO INTERVIEW

1. Telephone interviews
2. Video link interviews like Skype, etc.
3. Audio link like VoIP, etc.
4. Email
ADVANTAGE:

Interviews are good at dealing with

topics in depth and in detail;
1. Interviews are flexible;
2. Interviews tend to prefer a
conversation to a dry questionnaire.
DISADVANTAGE:

1 2 3 4
1. Interviews are 2. Interviews can 3. Interviews 4. Interviews are
time consuming; be unreliable, require good not appropriate
misleading; social skills for making
generalizations.
ACTIVITY 1: THIS
IS WHAT I SEE!
Directions: Imagine a situation
wherein you need to do an
interview or observation. Choose
your own setting and target
people. Draw it on a short coupon
bond and explain why you choose
that target and setting.
ACTIVITY 2: MY
INTERVIEW GUIDE
Directions: Based on your answer in
Task 1, if you choose to do an
interview ,write example of
questions that you will ask the
respondents. If you choose to do
observations, write an example of
observation checklist.
ACTIVITY 3: WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Direction: Cite at least five (5) examples each of possible research

projects wherein the following techniques of data collection are
applicable. Write your answers on your notebook.
I. Observation: II. Interview
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
YOUR FINAL TASK
Directions: Complete the table by providing the required
information.
Other important
Data Collection Method Tool Used information
(write at least two)
1. Individual interview
2. Group interview
3. Observation
Thank you for
listening!