What is An Observation?

A popular data collection method is observation. Observations are simply observing the work environment of the areas of research. Observations are conducted by the researcher in many forms. The researcher can shadow an employee while conducting their normal work tasks. The researcher can shadow a team by rotating throughout a day. Another way to conduct observations is to observe a training class, course, or meeting. Conducting observations depends on the needs of the research. Make sure leadership is aware of the research or study and get the proper permissions.

Potential Challenges with Data Collection Processes

During the data collection process, especially with interviewing and focus groups, there may be potential challenges such as biases. Researchers must be sensitive in avoiding biases against race, work role/title, religion, sexual orientation, and disability (Mertens, 2015). To avoid these types of biases the interviewer must give the employee options on how they can participate. Providing options such as written expression instead of interviews and they can be allowed to participate in one option. The option should not be selected for them. Another example is that an employee should not be excluded because of their title or role. Each employee will be treated equally.

Mertens, D. M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology: integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Sage

The Four Phases of Appreciative Inquiry

Last week we introduced the Appreciative Inquiry. Let’s look at the four phases:

Phase 1. The Inquiry phase participants will discuss and ask each other questions about their experiences within the organization they believe have lead them to experience burnout.

Phase 2. The Imagine phase allows the participants to picture a perfect working environment as they would like to see it with no burnout.

Phase 3. The Innovate phase allows for the participants to job craft and use their character strengths to create what they imagined in the imagine phase. 

Phase 4. The Implement phase allows the participants to put into action, within an approved framework, the ideas and strategies they want to see implemented.

Follow these steps for your next interview session or focus group.

Data Collection Techniques - Appreciative Inquiry

A popular technique to be used within data collection methods of interviews, focus groups, and observations is the Appreciative Inquiry. Appreciative inquiry analyzes issues on an organizational level and tries to understand what is working well within the organization and what isn’t (Preskill & Catsambas, 2006). To analyze things on an organizational level the researcher should speak to the employees because they are the ones who make up the organization. Appreciative inquiry has four steps which are: inquiry phase, imagine phase, innovate phase, and the implement phase (Mertens, 2015). We will discuss these next week.

Preskill, H. & Catsambas, T. (2006). Reframing evaluation through appreciative inquiry. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Mertens, D. M. (2015). Research and evaluation in education and psychology: integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Sage