Social Science Research - Choices in design

29 January 2011

I. Why do we research?

• reliability and validity

II. What is the most appropriate research instrument for me to use?

A. The format of the survey

1. Interview questions

a. structured

b. semi-structured

c. unstructured

2. Written questions

a. diaries

b. field notes

c. open-ended or free-response

d. short answer

e. pre-defined answers (A,B,C,D), possibly with Other (specify):

3. Length

• 4 pages, 45 minutes - 1 hour

4. Response rates

a. formats determining

b. compensation

5. The timing of the research and follow-ups

B. Getting good responses

1. Writing good questions

a. open v. closed questions

b. leading v. non-leading questions

c. using past research to develop your own questions

2. Giving good instructions

a. survey design and logic

b. answering queries when administering surveys

c. what language(s) to use

i. language barriers

ii. use of translators

iii. dual language questionnaires

3. Keeping an accurate record

a. jotting notes or shorthand

b. tape recorders, transcribing and transcription machines

c. written surveys

4. Selecting the right respondents

a. selection of respondents

b. respondent dynamics: social position, age, gender, race

c. composition of focus groups / panel discussions

d. survey methods

5. Building trust

a. ethics, consent, opt-out and confidentiality

 b. explanation of research

c. response bias

d. debriefing

6. Sensitive research questions

a. by topic

b. by the researcher's position

7. In interviews, listen more than you talk!

C. Making sense of responses

1. Comparison and contrast

2. Coding

3. Your own interpretations

a. content analysis

b. participant-observation or ethnography

D. The position of the researcher

1. Affiliation with the charity

2. Gender

3. Culture

4. Bias

Questions going forward:

1. What survey instruments will I use to gather my information?

2. What choices do I ned to make about research design? (Using translators, recording,
structuring questions, questionnaire length and design, back-up plans)

3. What other issues do I need to consider? (sensitive topics, subject-position of the

researcher, ethical issues)
 Reading List

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Sensitive Topics."

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