Qualitative Data Collection

Research Methods – Data Collection and Review

In this course, Dr Eduardo Vasquez (University of Kent) explores data collection and review in psychological research. In the first lecture, we think about qualitative data collection methods, including interviews and focus groups. In the second lecture, we think about quantitative data collection methods, including experiments and surveys. In the third lecture, we think about the advantages and disadvantages of primary data. Next, we think about the advantages and disadvantages of secondary data. In the fifth and final lecture, we think about systematic reviews of data, specifically focusing on meta-analyses.

Qualitative Data Collection

In this lecture, we think about qualitative data collection, focusing in particular on: (i) defining qualitative data as word-based data, which can include feelings, views, and attitudes; (ii) collection methods, which include interviews and focus groups; (iii) other collection methods, including emails, natural observation and case studies; (iv) content and thematic analyses as methods of making sense of an individual’s communications; (v) some key advantages of qualitative data, including that it is more in-depth, flexible with regard to the type of questions which can be asked, and externally valid; (vi) some key disadvantages of qualitative data, which include difficulties with replication and analysis, as well as its vulnerability to bias.