Interviewer bias and misguided questions are two issues that can arise during qualitative data collection. The information can be difficult to interpret because qualitative data collection methods include focus groups, interviews, and observations. For both data collectors and participants, some level of training is required. Additional methods for gathering qualitative data include case studies, personal documents, and interviews with highly specialized individuals.
One of the main concerns with qualitative data collection is the collector’s inability to remain objective. Even if the collector is simply observing a focus group, it can be difficult for him to see the group objectively or from a different perspective. The fact that some questions are open-ended can add to the data’s ambiguity. Participants may also misinterpret questions’ intent or respond to them with a skewed understanding.
It’s critical to make people feel at ease when they’re asked to participate in surveys, behavioral observations, or focus groups. When participants fear retaliation for being honest, their responses have been known to be incomplete or inaccurate. Respondents to surveys should be well-informed about the process and understand that they are giving their permission voluntarily. Many qualitative research studies obtain respondents’ signatures while informing them that they may be recorded on video or audio tape.
Recording the responses of survey participants is one way to reduce qualitative data collection errors. To reduce individual bias and interpretation, it’s sometimes helpful to have more than one collector go over the responses. Participants’ questions should be phrased in a way that is not confusing, leading, or overwhelming. Despite the fact that qualitative research is often unstructured and open-ended, asking specific, universal questions can help ensure more accurate and quantifiable results.
Interviews should be conducted by people who are able to maintain a neutral perspective and approach. Interviewers may need to be trained on how to maintain neutral tactics. Even those who observe study participants may need to be trained to simply record the responses as they are, without adding their own personal opinions. Prior to a study, it may be beneficial to screen potential interviewers for extreme biases.
The cost of gathering qualitative data is one of the factors to consider. Examining case studies or personal documents is less expensive than observational studies and interviews. Gathering public records and scouring through previously written first-person accounts can be more efficient at times. The main benefit is that these sources have already been compiled, and all that is required is interpretation.