Interview as a Qualitative Data Collection Technique

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Qualitative data collection believes in descriptive method rather than focusing on the numerical nature. Van Maanen (1983) stated in an occasion “Qualitative research comprises ‘an array of interpretive techniques which seek to describe, decode, translate and otherwise come to terms with the meaning, not the frequency, of certain more or less naturally occurring phenomena in the social world”. After collecting necessary information on research issue the acquired data is evaluated from numerous perspectives in a descriptive manner (Pierre and Jackson 2014). However amidst large numbers of Qualitative data collection technique the study has provided detailed overview on three major techniques which are as follows:

Interview is one of the most effective method based on which the researcher can get the opportunity to make interpersonal communication with the participants directly. By framing several numbers of questions regarding the research issue the researcher directly conduct the interview session by involving participants (Lewis 2015). Interview is constituted with two major types including structured interview and unstructured interview. In structured interview the researcher gets the opportunity to set up questions before conducting the interview. On the other hand, unstructured interview believes in no standard set of questions. Interviewer intends to throw the question to participants instantly without any preparation in quest of exploring new ideas and thoughts.

Based on the response of participants the interviewer likes to throw questions as per context. While conducting an interview the researcher gets the opportunity to gather personal opinion of the participants regarding the research issue. On the most effective strengths of interview method is that the researcher can communicate with the participants directly in order to collect their point of views regarding the business goal (Averill 2014). One of the weaknesses that are identified in interview method is that the researcher has to believe entirely on the opinion of participants involved in the research process.

Focus group is the systematic method of group interview. In this very specific technique the researcher tends to involve several numbers of participants together. The entire process is based on group discussion where the participants have every right to share their own point of views by exchanging thoughts and ideas. In this method, the researcher tends to throw question open ended way (Cameron 2014). Participants can share their spontaneous opinion regarding the fact. If one individual participant wishes to differ the opinion of previous respondent, the person can differ undoubtedly. The strength of focus group is that the researcher can gather immense additional information from the arguments. On the other hand, the weakness of this method is that researcher has to face challenges in getting a proper conclusion due to over argumentation.

Focus Group as a Qualitative Data Collection Technique

Artifacts are the method of evaluating necessary data and information based on institutional documentation, past record or any evidence. After making an in-depth case study analysis based on the previous record of the institution the researcher intends to gather appropriate information on the research issue (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault 2015). The strength of Artifacts data collection technique is that the researcher can gather statistical data which is beyond any biasness. On the other hand, the entire data is very much limited and restricted. The researcher cannot get sufficient information on the research issue based on which the data collector can come into a sound solution.

This very specific study has focused to select first data collection technique due to several reasons. The research issue that is identified in this very specific study includes school of technology and environment of Tasmania. In order to gather sufficient data and information regarding this issue the researcher need to make personal communication in order to collect reliability of data (Miles, Huberman and Saldana 2014). While justifying the reliability of data and information the researcher would make five interview questions on the research topic. This same question would be thrown to five participants individually in different places. As a result, the researcher would be able to analyze the reliability of data. If the participants’ point of view maintains the same alignment and context it would be evaluated that the data is reliable.

The researcher has chosen structured interview method so that the interviewer does not have to hesitate in the interview session while throwing questions. While critically analyzing the factors on three data collection technique it can be observed that interview is the only method where the researcher would be able to involve the existing employees of Tasmania Universities directly and collect their opinion regarding their flexibility in technology and internal work environment (Zamawe 2015). The researcher would get the scope to make personal communication for collecting individual data and information. In addition, the researcher can communicate with the participants directly in order to collect their point of views regarding the business goal. However, it is undeniable that the entire data collection technique I possessed with several weaknesses as well.  In interview method the researcher has to believe entirely on the opinion of participants involved in the research process (Woods et al. 2016). As a result, there is high chance to get biased data from the participants. However, this specific constraint can easily overcome in this case. The researcher would like to collect data from the participants one by one. As a result, the participants would not like to provide vague data.  After getting response from one participant the researcher would be able to gather data of more four participants. As a result, the research would get sufficient time in analyzing the authenticity and validity of information (Noble and Smith 2014). In addition, while conducting interview method the researcher would like to focus on evaluating data and information based on the participants who are from administrative level of Tasmania University. On the other hand, rest of the two data collection techniques are not appropriate for collecting detailed information for completing the research of this very specific research issue. 

Artifacts as a Qualitative Data Collection Technique

Qualitative data analysis technique is the method of finding and analyzing the data gathered from various authentic sources. Qualitative data analysis technique is constituted with several types among which the study would focus on analyzing narrative analysis, qualitative comparative analysis and observational analysis.

Narrative analysis implies that the researcher would like to analyze data based on the written document or spoken version of the participants. In narrative analysis the researcher does not get enough scope in interpreting as well as exploring the data from different point of view. Based on the point of view of participants the collected data is gathered and evaluated for coming into conclusion (Merriam 2015). One of the most effective strengths of Narrative analysis is that the researcher does not get enough scope in interpreting point of views of various participants. As a result, the research findings are quite genuine in comparison to other data analysis techniques (Bernard, Wutich and Ryan 2016). On the other hand, as the data cannot be analyzed critically the researcher may have to focus on finding the result based on biased response.

Qualitative comparative analysis is the combination of intervention and interpretation. Without interpreting necessary data an effective comparative analysis is never possible. However, after gathering effective data and information from different resources the researcher has to compare the response of participants by using different methodological tools and theoretical approaches (Cope 2014). When the exiting theories are compared and constructed with the response of participants the researcher can get a clear result on the research issue. Qualitative comparative analysis is generally used at the time of conducting an interview session by involving participants. Qualitative comparative analysis is not devoid of major strengths and weakness.

The most recognizable strengths of comparative analysis are that the researcher gets the scope to evaluate gathered data from numerous points of views. The data analyst does not have to depend on participants’ description only (Elo et al. 2014). QCA is theory-based, so its strength comes from the quality of the theory it is based on. On the other hand, Qualitative comparative analysis finds the ultimate result based on the participants response along with relating the existing theory. The data analysis is not devoid of major disadvantages as well. The entire method is very much time consuming and cost effective. In order to gather appropriate data the researcher has to collect the participants’ response. After evaluating the response of participants the researcher has to relate their response with the existing theory. Automatically, the entire process of conducting research can be delayed due to its long systematic method. 

Qualitative Comparative Analysis as a Data Analysis Method

Observational analysis is completely based on the keen observation of the researcher. As per the belief of numerous positivist researchers, observation is always repeatable but the phenomenon is isolated. While making a keen observation on the research issue the data analyst can get the scope to observe the gentility and ongoing behavior of the participants. If the response is spontaneous the researcher would realize that the participant is not providing any biased response. Observational research is particularly prevalent in the social sciences and in marketing (Gilbert, Jackson and Gregorio 2014). In order to make in-depth overview about the consumers’ purchasing behavior and their current needs and demands this specific analysis is used. The strength of Observational analysis includes the researcher get the scope to see the response of participants directly. On the other hand, observational method depends on the view point of the researcher which is a major drawback. If the observation made by the researcher is not correct and relevant the entire research findings would be wrong. 

In this very specific study Qualitative comparative analysis is used for making in-depth data analysis and findings. As already stated the research issue includes school of technology and environment of Tasmania. In order to gather necessary data and information the researcher has focused to select interview method by involving five participants associated with administration in Tasmania. On the other hand, it is also undeniable that individual interview session is effective enough in comparing and contrasting the point of views of participants. As a result, the researcher can easily evaluate the reliability of data and information. After evaluating the existing theories results are compared and constructed along with the response of participants (Houghton et al. 2015). The researcher can get a clear result on the research issue. Qualitative comparative analysis is used in this study as an interview session is conducted by involving participants. On the other hand, Qualitative comparative analysis finds the ultimate result based on the participants response along with relating the existing theory.  As a result, the researcher can get empirical data at the support of evidence. Automatically the research result would be proved as more authentic and systematic. Direct narration of the participation may not be effective enough in giving good findings about the research issue. Therefore, in comparison to that Qualitative comparative analysis is more appropriate.   

It is however undeniable that Qualitative comparative analysis is possessed with major drawbacks. The entire method is very much time consuming and cost effective. In order to gather appropriate data the researcher has to collect the participants’ response. After evaluating the response of participants the researcher has to relate their response with the existing theory. Naturally, the entire method is extremely time-consuming. However, in order to overcome this very specific issue the study could have focused on several solution methods. The researcher can use advanced technology while conducting the interview session (Mayer 2015). While gathering response of five participants one by one the researcher has to wait for long time. In order to avoid this matter, data analyst can skip verbal communication by selecting written method. By using five technological devices the participants may be instructed to share their own opinion on computer and save the response on drive. As a result, the participants will take equal time in exchanging their thoughts by keeping confidentiality of data. The entire method would be conducted very fast. Automatically, the research would not have to invest large amount of time for analyzing the response of participants.  Therefore, the decision of selecting Qualitative comparative analysis is justified for this study.

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