Module 5:

Understanding Data and

Ways to Systematically
Collect Data
Samples and Sampling Methods
SAMPLING AND SAMPLE SIZE

SAMPLING – the process of choosing a representative portion of a

population.

POPULATION – refers to the entire group or set of individuals or

items which are the focus of an investigation.

SAMPLE – refers to a subset or portion of the population that is

based on the statement or generalization about the population from
which is it drawn.
 SAMPLING METHOD

The four most common sampling methods in qualitative research are

purposive sampling, quota sampling, snowball sampling, and
convenience sampling. All of these sampling methods are considered
types of non-probability sampling.
 Participants are selected using pre-determined criteria related to
your research questions. The main goal of purposive sampling is
Purposive Sampling (or
not to generalize, but to focus on particular characteristics or
criterion-based sampling) subjects which you believe are capable of providing answers to
the research questions.

Uses a set of criteria for selecting samples. However, it

considers the size and proportion of each subgroup to ensure
Quota Sampling that the selected samples represent the different segments of
the population.

Identifies a member of the targeted population and ask them

to identify other members of the population who possess the
Snowball Sampling characteristics relevant to your research. Then, these members
will be asked to refer another possible participant of the study.

Involves the selection of participants based on ease of finding

Convenience Sampling them. This is considered the weakest rationale and has the
lowest credibility.
Purposive Sampling (Criterion-Based Sampling)

This sampling technique involves selecting participants who meet specific

criteria relevant to the research purpose.

Example:

A study on the experiences of STEM senior high school students balancing

academics and sports. The researcher specifically selects Grade 11 STEM
student-athletes at FEU Roosevelt Rodriguez who have competed in at least
three sports events in the last year.
Quota Sampling

In this method, the researcher divides the population into

subgroups and sets quotas to ensure specific characteristics are
represented proportionally.

Example:

A survey on English proficiency levels. The researcher sets quotas

to include 50 male and 50 female senior high school students,
ensuring equal representation of genders in the study.
Snowball Sampling

This technique is used to identify participants through referrals

from initial subjects, often for hard-to-reach populations.

Example:

A study on the challenges faced by freelance online workers in

rural areas. The researcher interviews one known freelancer, who
then refers other freelancers they know.
Convenience Sampling

This involves selecting participants who are readily available to

the researcher.

Example:

A study on the favorite genres of literature among senior high

school students. The researcher distributes a survey to students
present in their English class on the day of the study.
Planning the Data Collection
and Analysis Procedure
 Data Collection
Data collection is an activity where the researcher obtains relevant
information to address the specific research questions or objectives of the
study.

Qualitative research typically uses multiple sources of evidence or methods

in data collection. This technique is also known as triangulation. Through
triangulation you can establish the reliability of the data you have collected.
Reliability refers to the consistency of the results with the data. This means
that you get the same findings from your various data sources. A related
measure to reliability is validity, which refers to the ability of the data to
address the research questions or objectives of a study.
COMMON METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION IN QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH
a method where the researcher sees how people behave and
interact with one another, either in a controlled or natural
Observation
setting. It is most useful in recording behavior in a specific
context.

These are most beneficial when you want to collect non-readily

Interviews observable data. These include experiences, opinions, values,
feelings, and knowledge.

This is considered another type of interview. It is most useful for

Focus Group
researching on cultural norms, shared experiences, and issues
Discussion
experienced by a specific cultural group or subgroup.

These documents include archival records (e.g., historical

Document Analysis
records) and physical artifacts (e.g., tools, and artworks).
 The tools used in collecting data in qualitative studies are called research
instruments.

In qualitative research, research instruments are also known as guides, which

contain the topics to be covered or questions to be answered in the data
collection. They may also contain the procedure to be taken in the data
collection process.
 Types of Data According to Sources

Primary data - these are gathered directly from the participants of your
study. They are collected using interviews, focus group discussions,
observations, and surveys.

Secondary data - these are collected by someone besides the researcher.

Examples of secondary data sources include media reports, published
research, public documents, and Internet materials, among others.
Writing the Data Collection Procedure
Here are the guidelines that you may follow when writing the data collection
procedure of your study.

1. Discuss how you informed the participant about the study and obtained their
consent.
2. Specify the person/s who collected the data. It may be the researcher,
research assistants, or a third party.
3. If applicable, discuss the training or orientation sessions held for the data
collectors. If no training session was conducted, discuss the data collectors'
educational background or experience that makes them fit to do data collection.
4. Name the place where the data were collected. Was the data collection held at
home, in school, or in the office? Was the venue private and secure? This
concern is especially important if the researcher collects confidential
information.
5. Explain how the actual data collection was conducted. Be sure to arrange
the activities chronologically. Specify the duration of each activity in the data
collection procedure.
6. Discuss the method of recording the interview or observation. Specify
whether note-taking or an audio or video recorder was used.
7. State whether the participants received an incentive or not.
 Data Analysis

After planning your data collection procedure, you will also need to design your
data analysis procedure.

Data analysis is the process of transcribing, examining, classifying, tabulating,

testing, and recombining data. Through data analysis, you are able to make
conclusions about your findings or understand a phenomenon based on them.
 In qualitative research, data analysis typically involves analytic
generalization. Analytic generalization requires making an inference from
qualitative data using a previously developed theory. Analytic generalization
links findings to a theory. In contrast, quantitative research utilizes statistical
generalization, which generates an inference from samples and applies this to
a larger population.

A method often used in qualitative data analysis is coding, which is used to

categorize data and make sense of the concepts emerging from them. This
process involves the use of codes, which refer to words or phrases that
describe a concept or piece of information.
 Structure of the Methodology
Methodology
3.1 Research Design
> General research design (qualitative)
> Specific qualitative research design
3.2 Context Participants
> Setting of the study (i.e., where and when it was conducted and its
justification)
> Participants' demographic characteristics, quantity, and sampling.
3.3 Instruments
> Instrument 1 (justification, description, validation, reliability)
> Instrument 2 (justification, description, validation, reliability)
> Instrument 3 (justification, description, validation, reliability)
3.4 Data Collection
> Procedure for data collection method 1
> Procedure for data collection method 2
> Procedure for data collection method 3
3.5 Data Analysis
> Initial coding
> Intermediate coding
> Advance coding
> Results of interceding reliability
Reflective Questions:

1. How did you determine the suitable and appropriate qualitative research
design?
2. What were the challenges you have experienced during the planning of
data collection?
3. How did you manage to overcome these challenges?
4. How did you utilize various materials and techniques in creating original
work?