(a) Critically examine why most research projects are undertaken based on a sample of the targeted population.

(b) Discuss in detail how the following methods are used for collecting qualitative data.

Explain at least four (4) advantages and four (4) disadvantages of using each method for data collection.

• Interviews

• Focus group discussions

• Participant Observation

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

research identifies the traits of the people who meet the requirements for the study gives the range of the entire population or universe so that the appropriate sample size can be chosen In interviews two or more persons exchange information through a sequence of questions and replies in order to gather data In contrast to quantitative data qualitative data is descriptive and seeks out context it concerns peoples perceptions Qualitative approaches for gathering data individual interviews Interviews are one of the most popular strategies for gathering qualitative data and theyre a terrific strategy when you want toa requirement to collect very specific data Openended questions that let you learn rich detailed context are best used in casual conversational interviews Openended polls and forms of inquiry Instead of selecting from a predetermined list of options participants can freely and indepthly respond to openended surveys and questionnaires For instance you might inquire Why dont you eat pizza from the ABC brand Then rather than just providing folks a list of options to choose from like Im a vegan Its too expensive or I dont like pizza you would give them opportunity to respond narratively Focus sessions Focus groups resemble interviews with the exception that they are conducted in a group setting When oneonone interviews are insufficient you could turn to a focus groupscheduling is challenging or timeconsuming They can in handy when you need to compile information about a certain population Focus groups are a wonderful option for instance if you want to collect feedback on a new marketing campaign from a large group of demographically comparable people in your target market or give people the chance to express their opinions on a new product Observation A data collector will observe subjects as they go about their daily lives record them on camera or audio and take thorough field notes as part of the observation method Focus group discussions are widely employed as a qualitative strategy to comprehend social topics in depth The approach seeks to collect data from a deliberately chosen sample of people rather than from a sample of a larger population that is statistically representative Focus group discussions are widely employed as a qualitative strategy to comprehend social topics in depth Instead of using a statistically representative sample of a larger population the strategy seeks to collect data from a deliberately chosen group of people Participant observation is a study method used in anthropology and sociology that involves an investigator trying to fit in with and be accepted by a foreign culture or alien group in order to better understand the internal dynamics of the civilization The following are enefits of using interviews It offers interviewers flexibility Compared to sent questions the interview ... View the full answer