STUDENT NO:
STUDENT NAME:
IOP3702: PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT 1:
1
, 1. The group of people or organisation a researcher uses to collect data from is called a sample.
Step 1 in data collection is to identify a relevant sample. As it is impossible to gather data from a
whole group, the researcher only draws a subsection from the group or organisation that is
investigated. Random sampling is where each member of the group has an equal chance of
being included in the sample and is the most common method of drawing a sample in
quantitative research.
Data gathering techniques include the following:
- SURVEYS: (Questionnaires): This can be a standardized or modified set of questions that are
used for individuals to express an opinion or answer a rating regarding a specific topic. This
instrument can be used for both quantitative as well as qualitative research.
- OBSERVATIONS: The researcher observes employees in their work setting. Observation
include watching and listening and can be done in an obtrusive or unobtrusive manner. A
pre-developed checklist is used to rate certain behaviors in a quantitative. Detailed field
notes are taken when the questions are more exploratory.
- INTERVIEWS: A more personal and natural way to interact with people. There are two
different kinds of interviews that can be used. A semi-structured interview where a list of
key topics has been set up in advance by the researcher or a personal interview where a
face-to-face approach is needed. This is however an expensive and time-consuming
technique. Interviews are normally used for answering specific research questions.
- FOCUS GROUPS: Similar to interviews, only in a group where people share the same type of
experience. The people within the group does not necessarily know each other. Focus
groups should ideally include 8 to 10 participants. Open-ended questions are asked by the
facilitator and confidentiality is required by the group.
- ARCHIVAL DATA: This is readily available company or personnel records that is easily
accessible to be used for analysis. Archival data needs to be safe and protected in digital
format. This data can be used for example to compare absenteeism of staff over the last 5
years.
2
STUDENT NAME:
IOP3702: PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT 1:
1
, 1. The group of people or organisation a researcher uses to collect data from is called a sample.
Step 1 in data collection is to identify a relevant sample. As it is impossible to gather data from a
whole group, the researcher only draws a subsection from the group or organisation that is
investigated. Random sampling is where each member of the group has an equal chance of
being included in the sample and is the most common method of drawing a sample in
quantitative research.
Data gathering techniques include the following:
- SURVEYS: (Questionnaires): This can be a standardized or modified set of questions that are
used for individuals to express an opinion or answer a rating regarding a specific topic. This
instrument can be used for both quantitative as well as qualitative research.
- OBSERVATIONS: The researcher observes employees in their work setting. Observation
include watching and listening and can be done in an obtrusive or unobtrusive manner. A
pre-developed checklist is used to rate certain behaviors in a quantitative. Detailed field
notes are taken when the questions are more exploratory.
- INTERVIEWS: A more personal and natural way to interact with people. There are two
different kinds of interviews that can be used. A semi-structured interview where a list of
key topics has been set up in advance by the researcher or a personal interview where a
face-to-face approach is needed. This is however an expensive and time-consuming
technique. Interviews are normally used for answering specific research questions.
- FOCUS GROUPS: Similar to interviews, only in a group where people share the same type of
experience. The people within the group does not necessarily know each other. Focus
groups should ideally include 8 to 10 participants. Open-ended questions are asked by the
facilitator and confidentiality is required by the group.
- ARCHIVAL DATA: This is readily available company or personnel records that is easily
accessible to be used for analysis. Archival data needs to be safe and protected in digital
format. This data can be used for example to compare absenteeism of staff over the last 5
years.
2
