Collecting Quantitative Data

Chapter five in Creswell’s book is really worth and informative.  I have no experience in the field of research, so each page in this chapter was new for me. Creswell provided an excellent explanation for collecting quantitative data; also he illustrated the concepts by examples and tables, which was helpful for me. Five steps in the process of quantitative data collection were explained clearly. First, identify the participant in the research. Quantitative sampling strategies include probability sampling and nonprobability sampling. Second, obtain permissions. Then, identify the types of measures that will answer my questions. Several types of measures were addressed such as performance, and attitudinal measures. There are many options for collecting quantitative data and new researchers may do not know how to decide which one can be the best, the author helped readers who are new in research to answer the question of How to decide what types to choose by ask themselves three questions: what I’m trying   to learn about participants of my research questions and hypothesis? What information can you realistically collect? How do the advantages of the data collection   compare with the disadvantages? Of course the author explain each question clearly. The fourth step, locate instruments in the research. There are some choices for obtaining instruments to use: develop a new one, locate one and modify it, or locate one and use it. Some criteria for choosing a good instrument were mentioned. Reliability and Validity many times I read these words and I didn’t think about the method of using these concepts. Types of reliability and sources of validity evidence were explained clearly.  Finally, describe procedures for administering quantitative data collection. A lot of information was mentioned in this chapter and I considered it as a worth source to help me in my research. 

Collecting Qualitative Data

Throw Creswell book chapter7, I’m still learning and discovering things that I have never think about them. Five important steps in qualitative data collection were explained clearly in this chapter. First, identify participants and sites on purposeful sampling based on people and places that can best help to understand the central phenomena. Two types of purposeful sampling were described based on when they occur (before data collection or after collection has started). This part of the chapter was new for me, especially the types of purposeful sampling. Then Creswell moved to the types of permission in order to gain access to participant and sites, which is considered as important step for researchers. After that, types of qualitative data (observation, interviews, documents, and Audiovisual materials) were explained by their definitions, strengths and weakness. This part of the chapter is useful for each student plans to make a research. Creswell made a good reference for students who are not familiar with research and participants, because he mentioned some challenges may face researchers and how can they force these challenges. When I was reading the part of types of data collection I simulated a site and participants for each type to understand my role and how can I deal with my participants. Then, some processors for recording data and ethical issues were clarified.