Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation, 4th Edition

Part TwoCollecting Qualitative Data

Data are nothing more than ordinary bits and pieces of information found in the environment. They can be concrete and measurable, as in class attendance, or invisible and difficult to measure, as in feelings. Whether or not a bit of information becomes data in a research study depends solely on the interest and perspective of the investigator. The way in which rainwater drains from the land may be data to a soil scientist, for example, but not even noticed by the homeowner. Likewise, activity patterns in a school cafeteria, while holding little research interest to students, staff, or faculty, may be of great interest to someone studying students' behavior outside the formal classroom setting.

Data conveyed ...