Data-Gathering in Qualitative Research

Preventing Data Loss and Data Overload A qualitative researcher may have to organize, document, and track large and diverse amounts of information. Consider this scenario: A researcher has interviewed 12 participants thus far and has decided to follow up with 4 of them for further interviews. Unfortunately, the researcher has placed all of the contact information on sticky notes around the computer and now cannot find the contact information for 2 of the participants.

Moreover, the research supervisor is asking the researcher for a specific piece of interview transcript from one of the participants. These transcripts are all handwritten in a notebook, and the researcher has 15 unmarked notebooks where interview transcripts reside. Would you like to be the researcher in this position? Can you think of potential problems with this organizational strategy (or lack thereof)? In this Discussion, you will consider data organization strategies so that you will not find yourself in the position of this unfortunate researcher.

To prepare for this Discussion: Review the pages in Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook assigned this week.

How can a researcher prevent data loss and data overload during the research process? How can memoing and field notes assist with this process? How can a strong conceptual framework assist with providing a roadmap? What strategies would assist with organizing and documenting your research process and tracking data you collect and analyze? With these thoughts in mind: Post by Day 3 a response of 2 -- 3 paragraphs in which you recommend strategies for organizing and documenting your research process and tracking data you collect and analyze.

Preventing Data Loss and Data Overload A qualitative researcher may have to organize, document, and track large and diverse amounts of information. Consider this scenario: A researcher has interviewed 12 participants thus far and has decided to follow up with 4 of them for further interviews. Unfortunately, the researcher has placed all of the contact information on sticky notes around the computer and now cannot find the contact information for 2 of the participants.

Moreover, the research supervisor is asking the researcher for a specific piece of interview transcript from one of the participants. These transcripts are all handwritten in a notebook, and the researcher has 15 unmarked notebooks where interview transcripts reside. Would you like to be the researcher in this position? Can you think of potential problems with this organizational strategy (or lack thereof)? In this Discussion, you will consider data organization strategies so that you will not find yourself in the position of this unfortunate researcher.

To prepare for this Discussion: Review the pages in Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook assigned this week. How can a researcher prevent data loss and data overload.