Project Summary: Journal This is a suggested Journal topic for this week: Write a Journal entry about the process of developing and testing a data collection tool. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Developing a Data Collection Tool Introduction Often, qualitative data is collected using a tool such as an interview protocol. As any carpenter knows, in order to achieve the expected results, you must use the correct tool. If you are addressing a new project, you may need to test a variety of carpentry tools to determine the appropriate tool for the project. Similarly, in qualitative research, it is vital to test the tools that you will use to gather data to ensure that the tools are getting you the data you need. This week you will develop and test a tool that you will use to collect the qualitative data that you will analyze in order to answer your research question. Learning Outcomes By the end of this week, you will be able to: Assess strengths and weaknesses of interviewing methods Develop and pilot a data collection tool _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Required Resources Course Text: Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches o Chapter 7, "Data Collection" In this chapter, you will read about the process for collecting data, including forms of data, sampling strategies, recording procedures, and field issues. Course Text: Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. o Chapter 6, "Fieldwork Strategies and Observation Methods" o Chapter 7, "Qualitative Interviewing" Chapter 6 describes fieldwork strategies and observation methods in qualitative research, including variations in observational methods, sources of data, the data-gathering process, and the stages of fieldwork. Chapter 7 provides an overview of qualitative interviewing, including variations, question options, neutrality, feedback, gathering interview data, cross-cultural interviewing, and ethical challenges in interviewing. Course Text: Janesick, V. J. (2011). "Stretching" exercises for qualitative researchers (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. o Chapter 2, "The Observation and Writing Habit" o Chapter 3, "Advancing the Observation and Reflection Habit" o Chapter 4, "The Interview and Writing Habit" Chapter 2 provides information about the observational process in qualitative research, including constructing a reflective portfolio, types of portfolios, and portfolio contents. Chapter 3 includes additional observation exercises and an example of an observation write up. Chapter 4 outlines the interview process, including types of interview questions and preparation of questions. Research Toolkit Handouts o Walden Dissertation Rubric Available from http://researchcenter.waldenu.edu/ The Dissertation Rubric is a Word document linked in the section for PhD Dissertation Process and Documents. o Walden Qualitative Dissertations This document directs you to dissertations in the Walden Library that use a variety of qualitative approaches and disciplines.