Data Collection and Management Techniques for a Qualitative Research Plan

Over the past few weeks, you have been introduced to two common data collection techniques used by qualitative researchers: observation and interviewing. For this assignment, you will be asked to consider data collection techniques for your qualitative research plan and think about how you will manage the data that you would collect.

To prepare for this Application:

• Consider the kinds of data that would be most useful and relevant for your qualitative research plan.
• Consider whether observation would be an appropriate way to collect data for your qualitative study. Why or why not? If yes, what would you need to consider (legal or ethical issues, bias, context, etc.)?
• Consider whether interviewing is an appropriate way to collect data for your qualitative study. Why or why not? If yes, what would you need to consider (legal or ethical issues, bias, context, etc.)? What questions would you ask? How do you know these are good and appropriate questions for your research? What kind of interviewing protocol would you need to develop?
• For the data collection techniques you would use, think about what data management techniques you would employ. How would you organize your data? How could a software package such as NVivo assist you with managing your data?
• Remember, you are not expected to collect data for the qualitative research plan, only to plan out what could be done.