The main study will be mixed method (Explanatory Sequential Design). I would like to do a small ethnographical study prior to the main study ('embedded' within a target group) in order to 'take notes,' observe and so on ... the idea is that this would probably help me to better define the structure and scope of my (quantitative) survey and (qualitative) semi-structured interviews. Does this sound okay to you research people out there? Much appreciate your ideas / guidance.
From my own perspective I would say Yes, because I am working on the same way 👍
Yes; I agree that exploratory research preceding your explanatory sequential design sounds fine.
See page 2:
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=4_3aX2A2S98C&pg=PR21&lpg=PR21&dq=Low-cost+computing+and+the+rapid+development+of+technology+have+created+new+environments+for+conducting+survey+research.&source=bl&ots=GAttmd1yDk&sig=ACfU3U3fH1YgJ5kjDGZaah0DyryoFOisIA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiBofqOyOznAhViQUEAHTa2D0UQ6AEwAnoECAoQAQ#v=onepage&q=Low-cost%20computing%20and%20the%20rapid%20development%20of%20technology%20have%20created%20new%20environments%20for%20conducting%20survey%20research.&f=false
https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=hDE13_a_oEsC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=The+goal+of+exploratory+research+is+to+formulate+problems,+clarify+concepts,+and+form+hypotheses.+Exploration+can+begin+with+a+literature+search,+a+focus+group+discussion,+or+case+studi&ots=NlXG0YDHwH&sig=jX942XgzsKF0AlydrvTiimqvqDw#v=onepage&q&f=false
I think it perfectly makes sense to explore the field ethnographically before conducting a survey and interview study. It will give you a deeper understanding of the field as well as ideas of what matters to participants and what questions to ask. You can also use your ethnographic findings to inductively generate hypotheses for your subsequent research.
Hi, Frank Stephen Thompson, methodologically your approach is perfectly fine. Conducting ethnographic study prior to the quantitative survey provides an in-depth understanding of the areas to explore/stressed upon and hence help to generate specific hypothesis and design quantitative survey tools more effectively leading to minimization of time and efforts during quantitative survey.
Regards.
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