QUESTION 2

a. Four methods that could be suitable for collecting data in a qualitative study are:

1.Interviews: Interviews involve asking open-ended questions to individual participants and allowing them to provide detailed responses. This method allows for the collection of rich, in-depth data and allows the researcher to probe further if necessary. However, it can be time-consuming and requires skilled interviewers to ensure that the data collected is accurate and reliable.

2.Focus groups: Focus groups involve bringing a group of participants together to discuss a specific topic or issue. This method allows for the collection of data from multiple participants at the same time, which can be useful for identifying patterns and themes in the data. However, it can be challenging to control the direction of the conversation and ensure that all participants have an equal opportunity to contribute.

3.Observations: Observations involve observing and documenting the behaviours and actions of participants in a natural setting. This method allows for the collection of objective data and can be useful for understanding the context in which a behaviour occurs. However, it can be challenging to ensure that the observations are unbiased and that the data collected is accurately interpreted.

4.Document analysis: Document analysis involves reviewing and analysing written materials, such as reports, documents, and transcripts. This method allows for the collection of data that has already been collected, which can be useful for triangulating data collected through other methods. However, it can be challenging to ensure that the documents being analysed are relevant and representative of the research question.

b. Most researchers tend to use samples in their studies rather than the research population because it is often impractical or impossible to study the entire population. Sampling allows researchers to select a smaller group of individuals from the population that is representative of the larger group, which can be more efficient and cost-effective. Additionally, sampling allows researchers to generalize their findings to the larger population with a degree of confidence, provided that the sample is selected and analysed properly. However, it is important to ensure that the sample is representative of the population and that the sampling technique used is appropriate for the research question. If the sample is not representative or the sampling technique is not appropriate, the results of the study may not be reliable or valid.