fieldwork key terms

coding

carried out when analysing answers to interviews. The coder (person who analyses the data) looks through all the answers to a question, develops a broad classification system based on responses, and then uses a code to categorise responses.

qualitative data

non-numerical that are used in a relatively unstructured and open-ended way. Descriptive info, which often comes in the form from interviews,focus groups or photographs

quantitative data

numerical data such as metric-level measurements that are associated with the scientific and experimental approach and are criticised for not providing an in-depth description

sampling

to make statistically valid inferences, when it is impossible to measure the whole population, by selecting a group which will be representative of that population. This group is known as a sample

statistical population

the whole from which a sample will be chosen for a research excercise