Community Science Lab 1
Methods Collection
General guidance on research methods
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.
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.
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.
PhotoVoice
PhotoVoice is a participatory research method. Community members are asked to take photographs of places or situations regarding a particular question.
Rapid Assessment
Rapid Assessment is a methodology for conducting rapid, reliable, and valuable assessments of school or community culture.
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.
Protocols and Instruments
A School Fit for Humans?
A questionnaire or interview protocol to capture conceptions about the Self-Directed Education model of school design
Feelings at school
Survey methods to assess the kinds of feelings that students (or teachers) typically experience at school or in relation to school work
ReenvisionEd Interview on school purpose
This interview protocol has been developed by the project ReenvisionEd. It asks students and adults about the purpose of school and the role of school in society and in creating a good life.
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.
