Data collection considerations:
To establish credibility, techniques such as prolonged engagement, persistent observation, and member checks. Before the survey is given out to the respondents, adequate time would be spent with them. This would help determine whether or not they could be having any other reasons for not being motivated in science learning. Spending time with the students would also determine whether they could be having health issues that could prevent them from taking the survey. It would also be good to ensure that they get used to the person who would give out the survey. When adequate time is spent, a researcher builds trust with the respondents. He/she is also able to learn about the culture of both students and teachers. Comment by Juliet Krummick: This sentence would be clearer if you flip it. Adequate time would be spent with respondents before the survey is given. Comment by Juliet Krummick: ? This is random information. Everyone should be able to take the survey unless absent. Comment by Juliet Krummick: Won’t the teacher be handing out the survey? Comment by Juliet Krummick: Are you going to spend time with the respondents? If so, you need a reference here to support this idea.
Persistent observation would also be used to establish credibility. Persistent observation would be useful to provide depth. “… the purpose of persistent observation is to identify those characteristics and elements in the situation that are most relevant to the problem or issue being pursued and focusing on them in detail” (Lincoln & Guba, 1985, p.304). Another strategy used to establish credibility was member checking. To member check, the interpretations and data would be taken to the participants. Only the teachers would member check due to their vast knowledge and experience in the field. The teachers would first be asked to give consent to participate in the member check. Thereafter, they would be given the analysis and all data findings to member check. Comment by Juliet Krummick: Would be… you haven’t completed the study yet. Comment by Juliet Krummick: Here you should be discussing how the tools, listed above, will cover all of these different elements. How will interview and surveys provide credibility to your study?
External audits would be used to establish dependability. An external researcher would be asked to research study. She would evaluate the accuracy of the findings and interpretations of the data. Triangulation would also be used to establish confirmability of which two evaluators would be asked to review both quantitative and qualitative data. Comment by Juliet Krummick: This is another new thing. Unless it is listed above and explained, it should not be used.