Lessons 24 and 25 dealt with the major methods for collecting data, and I was most drawn to the complexity of the types of Descriptive Research. On something like the longitudinal method, I wondered if the research would continue if the researcher were the one that died. Next, I thought that the cross-sectional method was a nifty way to collect data until Dr. Norman gave an illustration about collecting data on the effects of war from veterans of different wars. Then, I listened to him talk about the cross-sequential method and was overwhelmed by the whole complexity of that approach. To me, the cross-sequential approach for gathering data created a situation of information overload.

I felt comfortable listening to him talk about interviews and questionaires because I have been involved with them before. I also felt at ease listening to his lecture on quantitative and qualitative analysis because I know something about those things, too. I have had some experience with all of them, so I was not intimidated by any of them. For a class in Introduction to Apologetics last semester, I had to prepare a questionaire and conduct a survey of a group of people. Then, I was required to compile my data, analyze it, and write a report on my findings. While listening to Dr. Norman talk about these methods for collecting information, I tried to determine if I had followed all the rules and conducted my survey properly.

Until this lecture, I had not known about the different roles of the qualitative analyst. With the complete observer role, I thought about the one-way mirror in a police station where suspects might be observed while they are being questioned. Then, I realized that I would have never thought of that process as being a form of qualititative analysis.

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