Students often discover challenges when seeking to gather data, for example, having participants who are not really keen to participate, where to locate possible participants, how to persuade them to participate, and then making them comfortable to talk in an interview or complete surveys.
More specific challenges occur when one is dealing with sensitive topics and has a lack of experience conducting qualitative interviews, such as for example, corruption when dealing with public servants. Often the issue of how to dress when conducting interviews is a challenge.
A researcher may also have some difficulty and challenges on how to choose participants, and also when seeking to establish rapport with participants who are unlike them.
They may also come across participants who are resistant to participate in the interview based on concerns about the confidentiality of their information.
To overcome such issues:
One needs to select a suitable room for data collection initiatives as the venue also plays a role in making the participants comfortable.
Explain in simple terms the purpose and intent of research and why it is important to participate.
Where participants are not keen to be involved rather seek out other participants who are amenable and who are likely to possess the required knowledge on the are under study.
To make them feel comfortable, carefully select the venue for the interview and make sure that it is noise free and there is a least drinking water available.
When dealing with sensitive topics, use tact and carefully consider how you ask the questions so as not to place participants in a compromising position.
Dress formally when interviewing participants as this sets a formal tone that is conducive to the seriousness of the research.
Select participants who are likely to add value based on their positions in a workplace and knowledge of the area under study.
Establishing rapport with participants requires that the researcher be relaxed and accommodating. First, introduce yourself to your participant and tell them what your role is.
Keep an eye on your body language and avoid barriers between yourself and the participants.
Especially important is showing genuine interest in the participant.
Place participants at ease from the outset concerning their anonymity and ethical aspects must be clearly observed.
In addition, remember to pilot test the data collection instrument among the target population.
Once interviewing, include icebreakers before interview and once started on the interview audiotape the proceedings. Set limits to the number of interviews conducted in one day. In longer interviews take 30 minute breaks between interviews. When using surveys always permit participants to complete the survey using an alias name or number them.
When sampling and undertaking data collection in the context of Covid 19 pandemic great caution must be taken. Twenty-nine tips are provided below:
- If conducting research in another province, obtain the required clearance from the relevant authorities, especially if there are movement restrictions in place
- You need to adhere to all guidelines.
- Obtain and go through UNISA COVID-19 (brochures, etc.) which are available and share these with any co-researchers and the respondents/participants.
- Check your temperature every morning. In the event of you having a high temperature (above 37.5Celsius), or any other mild symptoms such as tiredness, dry cough (common symptoms), shortness of breath, aches and pains, sore throat, or runny nose (other symptoms), do not go on any physical data collecting only work remotely.
- You should in fact not engage in data collection at all and self-quarantine for 14 days if you feel ill.
- Ask all participants if they have been in contact with anyone with confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. If yes, the person should not be participating in the activity and self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days as well.
- Wash hands thoroughly and regularly(ideally every 1 to 2 hours and definitely in between each interview conducted) with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Follow the recommended cough etiquette at all times.
- Do not touch your (or anyone else’s) face–particularly eyes, nose and mouth.
- Keep at least 1 metre distance from other people at all times.
- Close-up contact should be limited to less than 15 minutes.
- No usual greetings such as handshakes, etc. are permitted.
- Sanitize all data collection items prior to each interview (pens, phone, tablets, notebooks, etc.)
- Ensure items are not shared among team members at all.
- Provide pens for each individual participant’ respondent and wipe them down with disinfectant after use.
- Safeguard that your respondents phones have internet so that they can upload any forms on a daily basis which may be required such as a survey form.
- Obtain relevant supplies for participant screening and sanitation such as a thermometers , hand hygiene items (hand sanitisers and soaps, ideally liquid soap)
- Explain that Coughing or sneezing in a tissue or flexed elbow is mandatory. Perhaps buy a box of tissues to take to the interview site. If using tissue, throw it away in a bin or a closed container (e.g. plastic bag) immediately after use; then clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub..
- Plan data collection efficiently to ensure required measures are followed and needed precautions are taken.
- Maintain the recommended at least 1-2 metre distance from another human being.
- Try to ensure your questionnaires are no longer than 15 minutes in order to avoid prolonged contact with respondents which would increase likelihood of potential infection.
- Also limit survey questions as far as possible.
- Conduct interviews in a large enough room with good natural ventilation, and spread participants out carefully if conducting group interviews, or split the group up into smaller units and conduct several rounds of interviews.
- Alternatively, interviews can be conducted remotely over MS Teams, Skype or Zoom, or some similar communication platform.
- If this is the case, make sure that all participants have access to a computer or phone and that the training material is shared with them prior to the event. If interviews are conducted remotely, it is important that the participants have prior experience in mobile data use.
- Conduct any interview or discussion outside if possible and still maintain at least 1-2 metre distance from other people throughout, specifically the respondents.
- After data collection ensure you thoroughly wash your hands with soap (for at least 20 seconds)
- Prepare a daily report on any interaction with interviewees and whether they exhibited symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath etc. Report on time and place where interviews were conducted and obtain respondents/participants phone numbers and full names.
- Enjoy your data collection!
Prof Angelo Nicolaides
