Which data collection method is most suitable for gathering in-depth personal experiences?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When selecting a data collection method for in-depth personal experiences, it's important to match the method to the depth and nuance of the data sought.
Option a: Online questionnaires with Likert scales typically yield quantitative data and are efficient for large samples, but they constrain responses to predefined, closed-ended items, which limits access to rich, personal narratives and context.
Option b: In-depth interviews involve open-ended questioning, flexible prompts, and rapport-building, allowing participants to share detailed personal experiences, feelings, and meanings in their own words. This method is well-suited for capturing depth, complexity, and nuance that surface in personal stories.
Option c: Focus group discussions encourage interaction among participants and can generate ideas through group dynamics, but the data tend to reflect collective viewpoints and social influences rather than deeply personal, individual experiences. Privacy and candidness may also be reduced in a group setting.
Option d: Structured surveys with closed-ended questions, like Likert scales, provide consistency across respondents and ease of analysis, but they similarly restrict depth and spontaneity, making it harder to uncover unique personal experiences or context behind responses.
In summary, methods that prioritize flexibility, probing, and personal storytelling are more capable of eliciting rich, in-depth experiences, whereas the other options favor breadth, standardization, or crowd dynamics over depth.

FOUND304-25B (HAM) - Research Methods

Which data collection method is most suitable for gathering in-depth personal experiences?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Otto is planning to run a study to understand international students’ sources of social support during their university studies. Which of the following would be a potential advantage of using interviews for this study?

Question at position 27 ____________ can be directly obtained from conducting interviews.All of theseInformation about technical knowledge and practicesCausal hypothesesInsight into individuals’ views and opinionsIdeologies of organizations and movements

You want to understand the experience of students in STEM at UCI. You schedule individual meetings with STEM students where you ask them open-ended questions about their classes and their feelings of belonging. You are conducting...

Which of the following is not an advantage of an in-depth interview?

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler