Community Science Lab 1

Methods Collection

General guidance on research methods

Questionnaires and Surveys

Questionnaires are a method for gathering written information from people on a variety of questions. Questionnaires can contain qualitative and quantitative questions, open-ended or closed questions.

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Interviews

Interviews are usually between two people – an interviewer and an interviewee. Interviews are well suited for the collection of qualitative information from people about their thoughts and experiences. Interviews allow a researcher to ask follow up questions to understand the meaning of what people are saying.

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Focus Groups

Focus groups are discussions with a group of people about a topic, led by a facilitator. Focus groups are well suited for the collection of qualitative information from people about their thoughts and experiences. In contrast to interviews, the questions are asked in an interactive group setting where participants are free to talk with other group members.

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Observations

Observations allow you to collect information about people’s behavior or about physical places using your own senses (especially your eyes and ears). Observations are done systematically using a protocol.

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PhotoVoice

PhotoVoice is a participatory research method. Community members are asked to take photographs of places or situations regarding a particular question.

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Protocols and Instruments

School Portrait

The School Portrait is a framework for capturing and reflecting on various dimensions of school. It can serve as a rapid assessment tool, or as a tool to identify areas for further community science investigations.

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