Researchers usually make observations in settings
where research projects take place. Observations can
be expensive and time consuming. When more than
one individual is involved in making observations,
the observers should confer occasionally to make sure
that data are being collected in the same manner. The
presence of researchers may alter behaviors that are
observed. Therefore, researchers may need to spend
additional time in the setting so that participants feel more comfortable and
the behaviors that are observed are more likely to be typical (Casey, 2006).
Storytelling
Sometimes qualitative researchers collect data though the use of storytell-
ing. Using interviews, participants and researchers share their stories about
the research topic. To establish trust, storytelling begins with the researcher
revealing a story that is personal in nature. Participants are encouraged to
follow with their stories, which are recorded and later transcribed verba-
tim. This works well when studying topics of a sensitive nature (Hayman,
Wilkes, Jackson, & Halcomb, 2011), as well as with ethnography and narrative
qualitative methods. Storytelling is particularly useful when participants are
from a culture that engages in the tradition of oral history (Lee, Fawcett, &
DeMarco, 2016; Palacios et al., 2015). This technique is also successful for
gaining perspectives from elders and individuals diagnosed with dementia
(Mendes, 2016).
There are three types of storytelling (Lee et al., 2016). One type involves
personal stories that describe a significant event in one’s life. For example, a
researcher may ask women to tell the story about how they were diagnosed
with breast cancer. The second type focuses on significant, historical events
that help to document the event to better understand the past. For example,
marathon runners might recount their experiences of seeing other runners
and spectators being injured during the Boston Marathon bombing. The
third type of storytelling engages participants for the purpose of changing
the attitudes or perceptions of the storytellers. For example, smokers may
be asked to tell their stories about how and why they began to smoke. Do-
ing this may help them glean new insights about their attitudes and change
their smoking behaviors. Storytelling can be effective because there is a
balance of power between the researchers and the participants (Blythe,
Wilkes, Jackson, & Halcomb, 2013; Hayman et al., 2011). When the data
are analyzed, researchers focus not only on the stories, but also on how the
stories were told. While storytelling typically is oral in nature, stories can be
expressed through other mediums such as writing, dance, song, or digital
media ( Palacios et al., 2015).
FYI
When selecting an instrument, researchers
must first ask themselves if it is valid—whether
it reflects the characteristics or concept that
is being measured. There are three kinds of
validity: content validity, criterion-related
validity, and construct validity.10.4 Collecting Qualitative Data 275