Open Question- Questions that give opportunities for development = on an answer- the respondent can answer how they like with as much depth as they please making this qualitative research.
Closed Questions- This is a question that requires a short, definitive answer, with no deviation from the question whatsoever, this makes the data quantitative as it focuses more on the numbers of the answer.
Direct and Indirect Questions– direct questions relate to the subject matter with little to no
opportunity to digress. Whereas, indirect questions rely on the interviewee understanding what is really being asked.
Suggestive/ Leading/ Loaded Questions- Questions that imply the answer before it is asked.
Interview bias This is when the researcher asked questions that in a way which influences the respondents.
The Imposition Problem: The study may measure what the researcher feels is important but what the respondent may agree is important.
Demand Characteristics- Researcher can potentially (and unconsciously) lead respondents (facial expressions etc.) This is known as demand characteristics- the interviewee’s responses being influenced by what he/ she feels the situation requires.
Structured Interview- where the interview is planned beforehand, meaning that questions going to be asked are fit in place and the interviewer will not deviate from the questions asked- very similar to a questionnaire.
- The responses received are usually turned into quantitative data. The benefits of using this type of data is that it generates into a large amount of quantitative data which can be easily compared. However, the disadvantage is that the interview plays a passive role, meaning that they do not deviate from the questions are inflexible- they can’t really continue on any interesting leads.
Unstructured Interviews: This is also known as an informal interview in which there is no set questions and is more like a guided conversation, however, the interviewer still manages the interview but ensuring the topic of discussion is not completely deviated from. This type of research provides more in depth and insightful data- data with meaning. However, because the researcher gathers so much data and so the researcher has to be selective about what is published.
Semi-Structured Interviews: This is a mix of structured and unstructured interviews which usually contain closed questions in order to generate facts alongside with open questions. This allows the researcher some flexibility to ask for more clarification of vague answers.
Group Interviews: This involves the interviewer talking to a group or panel of respondents. This type of research is often used with children who may feel threatened if interviewed by an adult in a one-to-one situation.
Focus Groups: In this setting, participants are encouraged to talk to one another and discuss an issue rather than simply answering than answering set questions. The researcher relies more on the dynamic of the group top keep the discussion going- there is minimal interference from the researcher. The main issue, however, is that one personality might be more dominant than the other so the researcher might not necessarily get information on all of the participants.
Questionnaires: This is simply a list of questions, written down in advanced that are sent to the respondent for self-completion. Some questionnaires will use a combination of open and closed questions – this is known as semi-structured questionnaire. Semi-structured questionnaire come in two main forms:
- Self-Report – a type of questionnaire that lists a number of items of activities and asks respondents to tick those they have experienced
2. Attitudinal Surveys – usually asks respondents on a scale of 1-5 (strongly agree – strongly disagree).
Observation: This is when the researcher observes a subject in a particular situation. It can be done via two methods: Non-participant observation and Participant observation.
Non-participant observation: This usually involves the researcher observing an activity in an un-obstructive and detached manner. However, the subject’s behaviour could be un-natural with an “unusual” observer there
Participant observation: This involves the researcher immersing themselves in the lifestyle of the group he or she wishes to study. This type of observation can either be covert or overt.
Overt – the researcher joins in activities of a group and all or some of the group know that the researcher is observing them.
Covert – the researcher inserts themselves into a group and conceals the fact that they are doing research.
Graphs & Charts: When producing and presenting your research conclusions which analyse the data, it’s important that there be supporting visuals to summarise the information. By producing graphs and charts, data can be presented in a way that is simple to read and understand.
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