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.
General methods
General classes of methods
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.
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.
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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Rapid Assessment
Rapid Assessment is a methodology for conducting rapid, reliable, and valuable assessments of school or community culture.
Scientific clarification
The clarification of scientific concepts.
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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.
Content analysis
You can analyze the world of text and other communications within and around your school community.
Using existing data
Often it is helpful to collect and interpret existing data as part of your community science projects.
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Ethnography
Ethnography is the documentation of culture. There are many ways to develop an ethnography, depending on the aims, context, and resources of the researchers.
