ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the big issues in deciding which method to use to collect data from people and discusses the key elements for collecting data through interviews and focus groups. The initial data collection focused on news stories, speeches, and official documents in the state archives. Gathering data from people always depends on the willingness of people to participate. To encourage participation, researchers sometimes offer small incentives, such as a promise of a copy of the report, a discount shopping coupon, or an entry in a drawing for a prize. Face-to-face interviews can be structured, semistructured, or a combination. The degree of structure generally reflects the intention to do qualitative or quantitative research. A focus group is a qualitative method to collect data from people in a small group setting. An expert panel makes sense when the issue is very technical or requires a high degree of expertise in making sense of data and evidence.
