SayPro Considerations When Choosing Your Method

Before choosing your method, be clear about three methodological aspects:

• the difference and overlap between methods for qualitative and quantitative information;
• the implications of working with individual or group-based methods;
• what makes a method participatory – or not.

Several steps need to be followed to select the most appropriate method(s) (see 6.2.2 for more details):

1. Check that you are completely clear about what information you need collected, collated, analysed or fed back, for which you are seeking a method.
2. Check that another group, person or organisation is not already collecting the data. Check, where possible, how the information was collected to see if it is reliable enough for your needs.
3. Be clear about how accurate you need to be.
4. Does the information relate to a specialist area? If so, seek specialist advice or documentation before proceeding with the method selection.
5. Be clear about the task that needs to be accomplished, and whether this concerns qualitative and/or quantitative information. Consider whether a method is needed to collect, collate, analyse, synthesise or disseminate information.
6. Decide the extent to which the data gathering or analysis process is to be participatory, and therefore whether you need to work with individuals, groups or a combination.
7. Decide if your data-collection coverage is to be sampled or comprehensive. If working with a sample, decide on your sample size, clarify the "sampling frame" and select your sample (see D.1).
8. Do you have several methodological options or is there only one? List your method options and make an initial selection. If using a sequence of methods, check that the methods complement each other.
9. List your methods and make an initial selection.
10. When you think you’ve got the right method for the task at hand, consider if it is: feasible, appropriate, valid, reliable, relevant, sensitive, cost-effective and timely.
11. Pre-test your method, with a small number of participants who are similar to those from whom information is going to be sought. Adjust your method based on recommendations from the test run.
12. Determine the frequency of use.

Please visit our website at www.saypro.online Email: info@saypro.online Email: info@saypro.online Call: + 27 11 071 1903 WhatsApp: + 27 84 313 7407. Comment below for any questions and feedback. For SayPro Courses, SayPro Jobs, SayPro Community Development, SayPro Products, SayPro Services, SayPro Consulting, and SayPro Advisory visit our website to www.saypro.online