Quantitative Data Collection1

Summary

This video script delves into the importance of collecting both qualitative and quantitative data for action research, with a focus on surveys as a primary tool. It covers the process of conducting surveys, writing effective survey questions, and understanding the significance of demographic information. The script emphasizes the importance of clear, structured responses, as well as the need for open-ended, qualitative questions to gather deeper insights. Key considerations include sampling strategies, ensuring accessibility, and proper survey formatting. Ultimately, the content aims to guide researchers in designing effective, actionable surveys to drive meaningful outcomes in their studies.

Takeaways

• 😀 The key to successful action research is obtaining both qualitative and quantitative data.
• 😀 Surveys are an essential tool for data collection in action research, providing valuable insights into people's thoughts, opinions, and experiences.
• 😀 Proper data analysis begins with well-designed questions that are clear, purposeful, and ethically sound.
• 😀 Demographic questions are vital in surveys as they allow for deeper analysis by segmenting data into relevant subgroups.
• 😀 Sampling clarity is crucial for research. Knowing the target sample (school, classroom, district, etc.) ensures meaningful results.
• 😀 Writing good survey items requires attention to simplicity, specificity, and avoiding bias, like double-barreled questions.
• 😀 Structured survey responses (e.g., Likert scales) provide valuable quantitative data, but care must be taken with wording to avoid misleading responses.
• 😀 Unstructured, open-ended questions offer qualitative insights, allowing respondents to express deeper thoughts and experiences.
• 😀 Pilot testing surveys is essential to ensure they take the appropriate amount of time and elicit useful data.
• 😀 Ethical guidelines must be followed, especially when collecting sensitive demographic data like gender, race, and ethnicity, ensuring privacy and relevance.
• 😀 Tools like Google Forms and other digital platforms offer accessibility and privacy, making data collection easier but still requiring careful planning.

Q & A

What is one of the key components of action research?

One of the key components of action research is obtaining quality data, both qualitative and quantitative.

What are the two major categories of quantitative data in action research?

The two major categories of quantitative data in action research are surveys (questionnaires) and tests/measures (tests of skills, reasoning, and content areas).

What should you have before starting a survey in action research?

Before starting a survey, you should have a clear sense of purpose and be able to articulate it in a brief sentence or two at the beginning of the survey.

Why are demographic questions important in a survey?

Demographic questions are important because they help break down or segment data, allowing researchers to analyze subgroups within the sample.

What ethical considerations should be kept in mind when conducting surveys?

Ethical considerations include ensuring compliance with university and organizational guidelines and maintaining privacy and confidentiality of respondents.

What type of data is typically collected with structured survey responses?

Structured survey responses typically collect numerical or categorical data that can be easily analyzed, such as Likert scales or multiple-choice questions.

What is a common issue when writing survey questions, and how can it be avoided?

A common issue is writing double-barreled questions, which ask two different things in one question. This can be avoided by separating the two ideas into distinct questions.

Why is piloting a survey important?

Piloting a survey is important because it helps determine the length of the survey and ensures that the questions are clear and easy for respondents to understand.

What are Likert scales, and how are they used in surveys?

Likert scales are a type of structured response where respondents rate their agreement or disagreement with a statement on a scale (e.g., strongly agree to strongly disagree). They are used to measure perceptions or opinions.

How can open-ended survey questions complement structured responses?

Open-ended survey questions allow for qualitative data that provides deeper insights into respondents' thoughts, experiences, or reasons behind their answers, complementing the more structured quantitative data.