Scribd
Upload
373 views

Data Collection Methods Chapter 5

The document discusses quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. It notes that both are needed to fully understand a topic. Quantitative data focuses on numbers, statistics, and generalizability while qualitative data provides depth, context, and targeting. An example is given of collecting both quantitative and qualitative data about an oil painting. The document also discusses the philosophical differences in views of knowledge that influence whether qualitative or quantitative research is used. It describes debates around objectivity, replicability, and how findings are presented between the two methods. Mixed methods research integrating both approaches is presented as a way to minimize weaknesses and increase validity.

Uploaded by

bookwormjoey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
373 views

Data Collection Methods Chapter 5

The document discusses quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. It notes that both are needed to fully understand a topic. Quantitative data focuses on numbers, statistics, and generalizability while qualitative data provides depth, context, and targeting. An example is given of collecting both quantitative and qualitative data about an oil painting. The document also discusses the philosophical differences in views of knowledge that influence whether qualitative or quantitative research is used. It describes debates around objectivity, replicability, and how findings are presented between the two methods. Mixed methods research integrating both approaches is presented as a way to minimize weaknesses and increase validity.

Uploaded by

bookwormjoey
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 17

Data

Collection
Methods
L. Daniel

Chapter 5 Summary

J. Johnson

H. Ford

Value of Data
Quantitative
Data

Qualitative Data

Thorough Breadth and Depth and Generalizability


and Targeting

*** Both are needed to paint a full picture.

Example
Oil Painting

Qualitative data:
blue/green color, gold frame
smells old and musty
texture shows brush strokes of oil paint
peaceful scene of the country
masterful brush strokes

Oil Painting

Quantitative data:
picture is 10" by 14"
with frame 14" by 18"
weighs 8.5 pounds
surface area of painting is 140 sq. in.
cost $300

Scientific Rigor
Quantitative Methods of Data
Collection
More Objective and Accurate Information
with Standardized Methods
Can be Replicated
Summative Friendly

Qualitative Methods of Data


Collection
Sophisticated Statistical Techniques
Formative Friendly
Better Techniques developed for
Classifying and Analyzing Large Bodies
of Data

Both are affected to some degree by the perceptions and beliefs of investigators and data collectors.

Philosophical
Distinction &
Credibility of
Findings

Qualitative versus Quantitative and when to use each

Philosophical Distinction
Within the world of educational researchers and scholars, many differ on their
approaches to data and its use within educational circles. This, according to our
reading, is due to ...the nature of knowledge and how it is best acquired. (p.53)
This debate affects how research designs are created, and which form, qualitative
or quantitative, might be used.

Qualitative Research

versus

qualitative
research
Though distinction is
now being made between Qualitative work (large
Q) which relies on ethnographic fieldwork and actual observation, while
qualitative work (little q) focuses to open-ended data collection such as
interviewing embedded in structured research (Kidder and Fine, 1987).

Practical Issues affecting


Credibility of Findings
Method
Choice
Staff Skills
Costs
Time Constraints

Credibility of Findings
Evaluation and designs are created for a plethora of audiences. For this
reason, the creator of the evaluation needs to keep in mind the
audience that will be scrutinizing or using this evaluation.
For example, many stakeholders for NSF projects or within the State
favor a more qualitative approach, while those in the educational
community such as parents might be intimidated by heavy numbers or
statistical data.
*All Clipart retrieved from: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=free%20credible%20clipart&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=free%20credible%20clipart&sc=0-19&sp=-1&sk=

Staff Skills
-Qualitative methods require
staff to be highly skilled and
takes considerable training of
the staff involved.

-Small scale quantitative


methods (like the use of a
questionnaire) can be simple
and do not require as much
training.
-Large scale quantitative
methods require skilled
personnel and a trained staff.

All images retrieved from


Creative Commons.

Costs
-It is difficult to generalize which research
methods approach is more costly.
-Small studies are cheaper, but they
provide limited data (use of surveys and
questionnaires).
-True experiments (large scale) with
participants in treatment and control groups
collect more robust findings, but are
much more costly.

All images retrieved from


Creative Commons.

Time Constraints
-Any good evaluation will require time to
implement.

design and

-Additional time may be needed for many different unexpected things


that can possibly arise during the study.
-In qualitative studies data collection and data analysis can overlap
causing researchers to ask new questions.
-If a study has to be cut short, the value of the findings is limited.

All images retrieved from


Creative Commons.

The Debate goes on...


-The academic community still
debates the advantages and
disadvantages of qualitative
methods and quantitative methods.
-Practitioners have begun to
integrate the two research methods
into the mixed methods approach.
Researchers believe there are
benefits to this linkage.

All images retrieved from


Creative Commons.

Mixed-Methods Approach
-When using different methods and sources to collect data and
throughout the evaluation process, the research team can focus on the
strengths of each type of data collection.
-Using the mixed-methods approach helps minimize the weaknesses of
any one singular approach.
-The mixed-methods approach increases the validity and reliability of
evaluation data.

Triangulation
Triangulation is when researchers use more than one method to study
the same phenomenon.
Advantages:
-improved instrumentation for all data
approaches
-sharpens the evaluators understanding
findings

collection
of the

All images retrieved from


Creative Commons.

Disadvantages of
-Triangulation can cause problems during a
Triangulation
-Sometimes different sources yield different
they may even be
contradictory).

research study.
information (sometimes

-There is no set formula for resolving these conflicts.


-It is best to consider the disagreements in the context from which they
emerged.

All images retrieved from


Creative Commons.

Question:
How is data
collected at
your school
and how
does that
data drive

All images retrieved from


Creative Commons.

You might also like