Lesson 5.2: Methods for a Written Investigation

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore various methods used in writing investigations, including surveys, interviews, observations, and documentary or secondary data collection. The goal is to help you, students, select and justify methods that align with your project's objectives and constraints. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to design a simple data-collection instrument and understand the nuances of quantitative and qualitative evidence.

Learning Objectives

Identify common methods for an investigation: surveys, interviews, observation, and documentary or secondary data.
Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative evidence and understand their implications.
Design a simple data-collection instrument fit for purpose.
Discuss sampling in brief: who or what to study and why.
Match the method to the kind of evidence required for your research question.

Common Methods for an Investigation

Surveys

Surveys are a widely used method for collecting information from a large number of respondents. They can be administered in various formats, such as online, via mail, or in-person. Surveys typically consist of closed-ended questions, which provide predetermined response options, and open-ended questions, which allow respondents to answer in their own words.

Example of a Survey

Imagine you want to investigate the effects of social media on teenagers' mental health. A simple survey could include questions like:

On a scale of 1 to 10, how often do you use social media?
Do you believe that social media positively or negatively influences your mood? (Positive/Negative/Neutral)
Please describe how social media affects your daily life (open-ended).

By analyzing the responses, you can gather both quantitative data (from closed questions) and qualitative data (from open questions), allowing for a comprehensive understanding of your topic.

Interviews

Interviews involve more direct interaction, where the investigator asks questions to an individual or group in a conversational format. This method allows for deeper exploration of opinions, thoughts, and feelings.

Example of an Interview

Continuing with the previous example, you could conduct interviews with teenagers about their social media usage. Questions might include:

What does social media mean to you?
Can you share a specific experience where you felt social media impacted your mental health?

Through these interviews, you gain rich qualitative data that can highlight personal experiences and insights, painting a fuller picture of your research subject.

Observations

Observation involves systematically watching and recording behaviors or occurrences. This method is useful when you want to understand context or environment without influencing the subjects.

Example of Observation

If researching how teenagers interact with social media in a public space, you could observe a group during a school lunch break. You would note how they use their devices, engagement with peers, and emotional responses, such as laughter or withdrawal.

Observational data can provide context to your surveys and interviews, revealing behaviors that respondents might not consciously articulate.

Documentary or Secondary Data

Documentary or secondary data refers to existing information collected by others, such as research articles, reports, or even social media analytics. This data can enhance your investigation by providing background information or comparative analysis.

Example of Documentary Data

If you wanted to understand trends in teenage social media usage over the years, you could analyze studies done by reputable organizations, such as the Pew Research Center. By comparing findings, you can contextualize your original data collection.

Quantitative and Qualitative Evidence

In research, evidence can typically fall into two main categories: quantitative and qualitative.

Quantitative Evidence

Quantitative evidence is numerical and can be measured statistically. It is useful for drawing general conclusions from large datasets. Common examples include:

Survey results (e.g., percentages of responses)
Observational counts (e.g., number of teenagers using social media at a time)

Quantitative data is often more straightforward to analyze using statistical methods, making it easier to identify patterns or trends.

Qualitative Evidence

Qualitative evidence deals with descriptions and qualities that can provide insights into complex issues. It is often gathered through interviews or open-ended survey responses. Examples include:

Interview quotations
Descriptive observations of behavior

This type of data is vital for understanding the motivations, opinions, and feelings behind the numbers, thereby enriching your findings.

Designing a Simple Data-Collection Instrument

To ensure your investigation yields useful data, it is essential to design a data-collection instrument tailored to your research objectives. Follow these steps:

Define Your Research Question: Be clear about what you aim to investigate.
Choose the Method: Decide between surveys, interviews, observations, or secondary data, based on your objectives.
Draft Questions: Create clear, concise questions that align with your goals. Consider a balance of quantitative and qualitative formats.
Pilot Test: Before full deployment, test your instrument with a small audience to refine questions and format.

Example of a Data-Collection Instrument

For a survey investigating teenage social media use, your instrument could include:

10 closed-ended questions (e.g., frequency of use, platforms used)
3 open-ended questions (e.g., experiences, feelings towards social media)

This instrument will help you gather a comprehensive dataset that speaks to both the frequency and the emotional impacts of social media use.

Sampling in Brief

When conducting an investigation, the population from which you collect data can significantly affect your results. Sampling involves selecting a portion of the population to study, and there are several methods:

Random Sampling: Every individual has an equal chance of being selected. This reduces bias and improves the applicability of results.
Stratified Sampling: The population is divided into subgroups (e.g., age groups, genders), and samples are drawn from each group. This ensures representation of all demographics.
Convenience Sampling: Selecting individuals who are readily available. While easier, this method can introduce bias and limit generalizability.

Choosing a Sample

Returning to your study on teenagers and social media, you may choose to randomly sample from a diverse high school to ensure different backgrounds and experiences are represented. This will enhance the validity of your results.

Matching the Method to the Evidence Needed

It's crucial to align your research methods with the evidence required to answer your question. Consider the following:

What type of data do you need? If you're seeking statistical relationships, quantitative methods (surveys) might be suitable. For in-depth understanding, qualitative methods (interviews) could be more appropriate.
What are your constraints? Your time, resources, and access to participants will influence your choices. Consider which methods will yield the most information within your limits.
What do you aim to conclude? The type of evidence needed for your conclusions should steer your method selection—for example, descriptive analysis versus in-depth narrative exploration.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have covered several essential methods for conducting written investigations. You learned about surveys, interviews, observations, and secondary data; how to design a data-collection instrument; and the importance of sampling. Understanding both quantitative and qualitative evidence allows for richer research outcomes and reinforces the need to match chosen methods with research goals. As you move forward in your foundation extended project, consider these concepts carefully to build a strong foundation for your work.

Study Notes

Surveys, interviews, observations, and secondary data are common investigation methods.
Quantitative evidence is statistical, while qualitative evidence is descriptive.
Design data-collection instruments that meet your research goals.
Sampling techniques impact the validity of your findings.
Always align your method with the data required to adequately address your research question.