Major Issues in Data Collection - Essay Example

Questions Compare and contrast the effectiveness of survey and ethnography research as a strategy of data collection. If you have to perform one or another what would be the most appropriate sampling technique you would follow? Why? Research is a source of answers to various questions that we ask in our everyday lives. It is a significant source of information if it is executed well. It is a process in which measurements are taken of organizations or individuals, and the resulting data is subjected to analysis and interpretation. Usually, research aims to provide an accurate answer to the posed research question by using the various research methods. According to Green and Dixon (1), the foundation of research is evidence, and the various research methods apply differing methods in establishing this evidence. Therefore, in collecting the essential information, a variety of procedures and methodologies are used. These are applied across a wide range of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, cognitive science, and psychology. Two such types of research methodology are survey research and ethnographic research. Both types of research methods have similarities and differences. A survey is an approach for gathering and analyzing data in which respondents answer questions or respond to statements that were developed in advance. A survey can be described as a seven-stage process. It includes; the identification of research objectives, the identification and characterization of the target audience, design of the sampling plan, design and writing of the questionnaire, administering a pilot test for the questionnaire, distributing the questionnaire, and analyzing the results and writing a report, (Williams 67). Surveys often differ from other approaches of gathering data in a significant way. When conducted properly, a survey allows the researcher to generalize about the opinions and beliefs of many people by studying a subset of them. On the other hand, ethnographic research is whereby a researcher studies an intact cultural group in a natural setting over a prolonged period of time by collecting, primarily, observational data. The focus of such a research is to focus on everyday behaviors to identify norms, beliefs, and social structures among other factors. Therefore, ethnographic studies usually try to understand the changes in the group’s culture over time. According to Williams (68), in the ethnography methodology, the researcher has to become immersed in the daily lives of the participants in order to observe their behavior and then interpret the culture or social group and systems. The first step involves gaining access to the site. Second, the researcher creates rapport with the participants and builds trust. Third, the researcher starts using the big net approach by intermingling with everyone in order to identify the key informants in the culture. Therefore, these approaches are the same, or differ in their approaches. For both methods to provide valid and usable or credible results, they require thought, planning, logistical support, time and money. This is because both research methods are used over a period time. In order for a survey research to be effective, it must be systematic, impartial, representative, theory-based, quantitative, and replicable. Therefore, survey research is usually affected by the sample that is selected for the study. If the sample selected does not adequately generalize the whole population, then the research findings cannot be described as valid or usable. However, the effectiveness of survey research is enhanced by the use of data collection methods such as questionnaires and interviews. And while ethnographic might seem similar to survey research, the former does not use a sample to generalize the whole population. Instead, the researcher observes the behavior of a whole group of people. Therefore, its effectiveness depends on how well the researcher gets immersed in the host culture. If the researcher manages to blend in the culture adequately, then he or she has a higher chance of obtaining lots of valid information about the group. With intermingling, the researcher draws much more information than using surveys. Ethnographic research is also complemented by interviews and the use of media such as audiotapes and videotapes. All these tools are used in increasing the credibility of the findings. In carrying out survey research, there are several sampling techniques. Each technique has its advantages and disadvantages. However, the most appropriate sampling technique is the quota sampling technique. Using this technique, the researcher can select individuals as they come to fill a quota by characteristics proportional to the population, (Green and Dixon 1). Using this technique ensures that there is a selection of adequate numbers of subjects who have appropriate characteristics. However, just like most other sampling techniques, it is not likely to prove that the sample is clearly represents of the entire population. On the other hand, ethnographic research requires no sampling technique. This is because the researcher gets immersed in a particular group that is under study. Therefore, it is like the whole group of people in the target area forms the study sample. However, since the researcher might need to obtain more information through interviews, a researcher is more likely to use the purposive sampling technique. With this technique, the research hand-picks subjects on the basis of can identify the key informants in the culture. These are the people that the researcher can hand-pick so as conduct further interviews, in addition to participant observation. 2. In your opinion, what principles from the ASA Code of Ethnics should any researcher observe? How is the Code of Ethnic enforced? The Code of Ethics outlines a common set of standards upon which researchers build their professional and research work. The code has the intention of providing both general rules and principles covering professional situations encountered by researchers, (ASA 3). The primary goal of the code is protection and the welfare of persons and groups with whom researchers work. Every researcher has a responsibility to aspire to the utmost possible values of conduct in research. There are five principles that researchers need to observe. First is professional competence. Researchers need to strive to uphold the highest competence levels in their work. This means that they should recognize the confines of their expertise and undertake only the tasks that they are qualified by training, education, or experience. Also, researchers should recognize the necessity for ongoing education so as to remain professionally competent. It also means that they have to use the appropriate professional, scientific, administrative, and technical resources that are necessary in ensuring competency in their undertakings, (ASA 4). Researchers should feel obliged to consult with their fellow professionals when need be, for the benefit of clients, research participants, and students. Second is integrity. Researchers need to be fair, honest, and respectful of other people as they undertake their professional activities. This means that a researcher is not supposed to deliberately act in a manner that jeopardizes his or her own professional welfare, or that of others. According to ASA (4), researchers need to conduct their research works in a manner that inspires confidence and trust, and should therefore avoid making statements that are misleading, false, or deceptive. As such, according to ethical standard 3, researchers are not supposed to accept contracts, work assignments, and grants from organizations or individuals whose intention is to achieve results that violate the standards of the code. Basically, researchers should not misrepresent their work or misuse their expertise. Third, researchers have a professional and scientific responsibility. Therefore, it is their duty to conform to the highest professional and scientific standards stipulated by the code of ethics. Plagiarism should be strictly avoided. This means that they accept accountability for their work, and thus can be held accountable. Researchers should also understand that despite their disagreement on methodological, theoretical, or professional approaches to professional work, they create a community and thus must show respect for other researchers, (ASA 5). Due to their valuing of public trust, researchers have to be aware about their ethical conduct as well as that of other researchers that might compromise this trust. Many researchers always endeavor to be collegial, but this desire should not be at the expense of the shared accountability for ethical behavior. This mans that they can consult with their colleagues so as to avoid unethical conduct. Fourth, researchers have to respect people’s rights, dignity, and diversity. This means that when conducting research, they should strive to remove bias in their professional undertakings. A researcher must not accept any type of discrimination that is based on gender, age, race, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, health conditions, disability, domestic, marital, or parental status, (ASA 5). As such, they need to be sensitive to individual, cultural, and role differences when studying groups of people who have distinctive characteristics. As they undertake their work in research, researchers need to be able to acknowledge the rights of others to hold attitudes, opinions, and values that disagree from their own. Fifth, researchers have a social responsibility. Researchers have to be aware of the professional and scientific responsibility they have towards the societies and communities in which they work and live. They should apply and make their knowledge public so that it can make a contribution to the public good. Therefore, in undertaking research, researchers have to strive to improve the science of research and serve the public good. COPE (Committee on Professional Ethics) is responsible for the enforcement of the code. Enforcement involves twelve steps. First is jurisdiction. COPE has jurisdiction to accept and decide on any complaint of the contravention of the code by a current member of the ASA. The next step involves the filing a complaint. If a non-member or member of the ASA perceives that a member of ASA has violated a certain ethical standard, then he or she can file a complaint. After filing the complaint, the next step involves the preliminary screening of the complaint so as to determine whether the alleged violation is covered in the code. If it is covered, then a notice of complaint and informal resolution is issued to the complainee. Settlement is encouraged through an informal means, (ASA 22). If the complainee and complainant reject an informal dispute settlement, the complainee responds to the complaint by writing to the complainant. This is followed by an initial determination of the chair. This is used to determine if there is sufficient or enough evidence to carry on with the case. Next is the investigation and recommendation. This is then followed by a determination of the violation whereby COPE determines if the violation really occurred. The next step involves sanctions when there is a determination of violation, (ASA 23). COPE has to notify the complainee and complainant of the determination. The next step involves an appeal of termination whereby the complainee can appeal the determination. Works Cited American Sociological Association. Code of Ethics and Polices and Procedures of the ASA Committee on Professional Ethics. New York: American Sociological Association, 1999. Green, Judith, and Dixon, Carol. Research Methods: Qualitative and Ethnographic. 26 June 2008. Web. 10 December 2012. http://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2364/Research-Methods.html Williams, Carrie. “Research Methods.” Journal of Business and Economic Research, March 2007, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp.65-73. Read More