Group-Analytic Contexts, Issue 80, June 2018

Newsletter – Summer 2018 85
chances (probability) that it’ll be rejected are too high.
Another aspect that you’ll have to consider is ‘data’. How
easily will they be available? I’m not thinking about Facebook here.
Does the data of your research area already exist (e. g. official
statistics, NHS data)? If they do, then you would simply need to think
about analyses.
If not (and that is more likely), then you’ll have to collect the
data yourself. You’ll have to consider what kind of methods you’ll be
using to collect your data, and you’ll have to think about access to
participants (the ‘subjects of your ‘sample’). With regard to methods,
there are several options. Would you like to use questionnaires? Then
you’ll either use existing questionnaires or design your own. You’ll
have to know a thing or two about questionnaire design and pilot
newly devised questionnaires if you choose to create new
questionnaires. If questionnaires aren’t suitable, you could use
interviews. If you do, think about your interviewing skills. And if they
aren’t up to scratch, practise.
Finally, you’ll have to concern yourself with the data
analyses - unless you’ve research assistants, who’ll do them for you,
but if that is the case then this column won’t tell you anything new.
However, if you are like many group analysts and your research skills
aren’t that great, find a statistician. S/he can help with the design and
analyses of your study. Statisticians are valuable when it comes to
identifying and illuminating potential problems. Consult them during
the early stages of the research process.
Didn’t I start the previous paragraph with ‘finally’? Well …
I lied. There is more to do, like writing your research proposal and
getting it published. But it’s time to get out of bed now, so this will
have to wait until another rainy day makes its appearance.
Until then, cheerio, I’m wishing you a sunny summer or rain
if you prefer.
Susanne Vosmer
s.vosmer@gmail.com