Chapter 12 Indirect Data Collection: Working with Observations and Existing Text Zina OLeary.

Chapter 12Indirect Data Collection: Working with Observations and Existing Text

Zina O’Leary

Indirect Data Indirect data is data that

exists regardless of a researcher’s questioning, prompting and probing.

It is found in social situations, documents, databases, and artefacts and is not created by the researcher for research processes.

Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Observation

A systematic method of data collection that relies on a researcher’s ability to gather data through their senses.


Types of Observation In conducting observations,

researchers can be anything from removed to immersed: • Non-participant - in this role, the

researcher does not become, nor aims to become, an integral part of the system or community they are observing.

• Participant - in this role, the researcher is, or becomes, a part of the team, community, or cultural group they are observing.


Types of Observation Researchers need to consider

the advantages and disadvantages of full disclosure: • Candid - the researcher offers full

disclosure of the nature of their study and the role the observations will play in their research.

• Covert - can be non-participant, i.e. watching pedestrian behavior at an intersection, or watching interactions at a school playground. But they can also be participatory. This involves researchers going ‘undercover’ in an attempt to get a real sense of a situation, context, or phenomenon.


Types of Observation Observational techniques can

range from highly structured to unstructured:• Structured - highly systematic and

often relies on predetermined criteria related to the people, events, practices, issues, behaviors, actions, situations, and phenomena being observed.

• Semi-structured - observers generally use some manner of observation schedule or checklist to organize observations, but also attempt to observe and record the unplanned and/or the unexpected.

• Unstructured - observers attempt to observe and record data without predetermined criteria.


What You See Isn’t Always What You Get

Observation provides the opportunity for researchers to document actual behavior rather than responses related to behavior.

However, the observed can act differently when surveyed; and researchers’ observations are likely to be biased by their own worldviews.Zina O’Leary (2009) The Essential Guide to Doing Your Research Project. London: Sage

Filtering Observations


The Observation Process

Taking the world in through our senses needs to be tackled systematically in order to ensure we can:

• take in a full range of sensory inputs

• keep biases in check • aim for saturated

understanding.


The Observation Process

The collection of credible data through observation requires:

• thorough planning• careful observation • thoughtful recording • reflexive review • considered refinements • appropriate analysis.


Recording Observations Recording observations

involves preservation of raw data through audio recordings, photographs, and videos or capturing impressions through note taking and journaling.

Observations can be quite subjective so it is important to confirm through strategies that ensure thoroughness and confirmation.


Existing Text

Existing ‘texts’ are traces of social activity that include official data and records, electronic/internet material, corporate data, personal records, the media, the arts, and social artefacts.


Existing Texts Working with existing texts

allows researchers to:• be neutral• capitalize on existing data• explore what people produce• and eliminate the need for

physical access to research subjects.

But researchers need to work through data not expressly generated for their particular research question(s).


Textual AnalysisTextual analysis involves:

• planning for all contingencies

• gathering ‘texts’• reviewing credibility• interrogating witting and

unwitting evidence • reflecting and refining your

process• and analyzing data.


Document Analysis Document analysis sees

researchers working with pre-produced written, rather than generated, texts.

This requires researchers to consider two potential sources of bias:

• the original author’sand• their own.


Document Types Authoritative sources - documents that by

their authorship or authority attempt to be unbiased and objective.

The party line - documents that have an ‘agenda’ or identifiable bias.

Personal communication - letters, e-mails, memoirs, sketches, drawings, photographs, diaries, memos, journals etc. that are personal and subjective.

Multi-media - newspaper or magazine columns/ articles, current affairs shows, news reports, TV sitcoms, commercials, etc.

Historical documents - records, minutes, and policy documents, or any other materials that have been authored or produced within a particular historical period.


Historical Analysis Historical analysis refers to the

exploration of various forms of data in order to better understand the past, including:• what happened• why it happened• and its implications.

Data includes:• testimony• social book keeping• secondary accounts • and social artefacts.

Gathering a full range of credible evidence can be a challenge.


Cultural Artefact Analysis Cultural artefact analysis refers

to the exploration of various human-made objects in order to ascertain information about the culture of its creator(s) and users.

Measures include those of erosion i.e. wear and tear, and accretion i.e. things people produce or leave behind.


Secondary Data Analysis Secondary data analysis refers to

the exploration of existing data sets.

While this can save time and resources, you do not develop and ‘own’ the data.

Before any statistical analysis is attempted researchers need to assess both the relevance and credibility of their data sources.


Chapter 12 Indirect Data Collection: Working with Observations and Existing Text Zina OLeary.

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Transcript of Chapter 12 Indirect Data Collection: Working with Observations and Existing Text Zina OLeary.