Lecture 1
Data analysis
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is an important step in the research process. If it is poorly managed all previous steps will be neutralized. Fieldwork is equated to data collection and other related activities; e.g. contact with respondents administer instrument, record data, return data to central location for processing Collection of data may be by telephonic, face to face, or mail. So we should first see what method of data collection will be used and then accordingly design of field including activities of supervision, monitoring, mailing, observing all field operations etc. If field work is not properly organized, it will result into many kinds of errors. There are four main aspect of fieldwork which are as follow:
Time schedule
Budget
Personnel
Performance measurement
Time Schedule
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When we are preparing a time schedule of our activities, we must be realistic. We should allocate reasonable amount of time to data collection within the total time budget to make a time schedule, the planner should
Specify beginning and ending of the project Sequence activities within time frame Days needed to complete various activities Prepare a Gantt chart
Budget
Budget includes assignment of cost to various activities identified in time schedule. Both the time schedule and budget are prepared together. Budget shows detailed breakdown of the cost of all activities and some amount for unseen contingencies. It is reviewed and approved by some individuals in the organization.
Various cost items of cost include:
Wages and salaries
Telephone expenses
Material and supplies
Salaries of field supervisor/s.
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Reproduction expenses like photocopy etc. Miscellaneous
Personnel
Personnel mean human resources for the fieldwork. These are collectively called field force.
Management of personnel requires selection, training, supervising, authenticating and evaluation of field workers.
For selection, we have to develop Job Description and Job Specification. What should be the characteristics of the field force?
Should be healthy and have stamina to undertake strenuous work. Should have a pleasant appearance. Be communicative, listening and possess speaking skills. Educated up to BA
Preferably should have some experience. Inexperienced personnel result into excessive coding error, misreporting, and larger refusal rate
Training of Field Force
After the personnel have been recruited, these should be trained in the skills of data collection. Training is critical for fieldworkers. It should be given in person at some central
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location.
It should cover the following:
Initial contact, appointments, opening remarks to seek permission and cooperation Give training about the observation also
Asking questions, it brings high dividends in eliminating potential bias.
Be thoroughly familiar with the questionnaire Observe order of the questions
Use exact wording
Slow reading will help understand the question by the respondents. Repeat questions, if not understood
Probe carefully
Probing Questions
Probing questions are used to motivate, clarify, enlarge, or explain the answers. Techniques include the following
Repeat the question in the same words
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Repeat reply verbatim and confirm.
Silent probe by unexpected pause and looks but should not be not embarrassing
Reassure and boost the respondent that there is no right or wrong, just what it means to him/her.
Elicit clarification, by saying “I don’t quiet understand”, “please tell me more”, “what do you mean”, ”anything else”, “any other reason?”
Recording Replies
Seems simple but mistakes are common
Record unstructured question verbatim
Guidelines for recording are:
Record identification data like name, date, interviewer, project in the beginning.
Record during the interview and not afterward
Record in respondents’ own words
Do not summarize
Include everything Include all probe comments
Repeat the response so that respondent listens and verifies.
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Terminating Interview
Guidelines for closing the interview are:
Don’t close before all information is gathered
Leave the respondent with good feelings
Express your appreciation for his time and cooperation
In telephonic interview
Verify the telephone number once again
Courteous and polite
Put a smile in your voice
Speak clearly Don’t sound bored Close interview properly
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