Week 3

This week, you will demonstrate your understanding of qualitative data collection methods, and the appropriate application of these methods as prescribed by qualitative research principles. This assignment is included at this point in the course because once you have a clearer understanding of qualitative research designs, you will be in a better position to appropriately select from the multiple qualitative data collection methods that are available and to formulate a triangulated data collection strategy.

This week, you will accomplish several tasks as this is a multifaceted assignment that requires several steps. You are offered some choices, so please be sure to read over both options and select one. In line with the principles of Andragogy (the ways in which adults learn), offering you a choice serves to accommodate individual preferences and abilities.

This week, you are provided with the Kaltura User Guide which explains how to access and use this recording tool which is integrated into the NCU LMS.

Choose 1 of the following two options. Note that Option 1 includes 3 steps. Option 2 includes 2 steps.

Option 1

Step 1: Design a brief 5-question qualitative interview to explore a topic or research problem of interest to you. The interview should be designed to last no more than 5-10 minutes. Remember, a qualitative interview includes open-ended questions to elicit a research participant’s perspectives, attitudes, and perceptions, rather than closed-ended questions that would simply yield a yes/no answer. You may also add some sub-questions to probe for further information if necessary.

Step 2: Contact your professor to set up a Zoom meeting with them at a mutually suitable time this week where you will emulate a real-life interview, with you as the interviewer and your professor as the research

participant. If you prefer, you may conduct a face-to-face interview with a peer or family member. Be sure to record the interview using the Kaltura tool in the LMS, as this recording will need to be uploaded this week. This interview exercise has a dual purpose: (a) it will offer you practice in crafting interview questions, and (b) you will have a hands-on experience conducting an actual interview.

Step 3: Compile a reflection on what you feel about designing and conducting the interview process and any takeaways (insights and learning) that you derived from this experience. Include what you feel was successful, unsuccessful, or surprising. Present any ideas you have for improvement and/or revision if you were to conduct another interview on this topic in the future. In the interest of ongoing improvement, explain what you believe were your areas of strength, and what can you identify as areas that will require growth. (1 page)

OR

Option 2

This option allows you to practice developing an integrated set of data collection methods. Interviews and focus groups are some of the most commonly used data collection methods in qualitative research. Often a researcher will begin with individual interviews, and then conduct a focus group with a sample of the participants to hone in on certain issues that arose in the interviews, and probe further. This is part of a strategy called triangulation. This assignment will provide you with some hands-on practice in crafting an integrated tool-set.

Step 1: Complete 2 of the following options. NOTE: You may choose to complete more than 2 options if you would like an opportunity to practice developing the tools needed to collect qualitative data. This approach enables you to receive valuable feedback from your instructor and to acquire these important skills. Be sure to craft your data collection tools based on a potential topic or research problem of interest:

1. Write an open-ended 5-item interview protocol. 2. Write a 5 item Focus group script. 3. Write up a set of 4-6 guidelines for conducting an observation. 4. Develop a critical incident questionnaire (CIQ).

Step 2: Compile a reflection on what you feel about the process or developing your two tools, and any takeaways (insights and learning) that you derived from this experience. For both data collection methods, include what you feel was successful, unsuccessful, or surprising. Present any ideas you have for improvement and/or revision if you were to design both of these methods again in the future. In the interest of ongoing improvement, explain what you believe were your areas of strength, and what you can identify as areas that will require growth in designing these data collection methods. (1 page)

Length: This assignment’s requirements are based on the specific deliverables as outlined above. Each tool that you develop should be 1-2 pages. The written reflection that is required regardless of the option that is chosen will be 1 page.

References: Including scholarly resources is optional, and not required.

Watch the video below to get a good understanding on the assignment:

https://ncuone.ncu.edu/d2l/wcs/mp/mediaplayer.d2l?ou=359810&entryId=4cbf9645-3bd8-4a71- 8af1-a65bed03e603/latest&type=video