Almost thereI can't believe it- I am one interview off from completing data collection. Then I will need to get them all transcribed and sort of link themes, looking for stuff.
I will also need to go back to drafting chapters, get my model validated and get going in general. Just gotta keep the momentum going...........
Data management
I suppose recruitment is part of data management in terms of tasks? The whole thing is beginning to exhaust me. I have to keep track of 6 documents per site, 18 in total. I am so glad I saved them properly. If I didn't know how to use Windows Directories properly, I'd go crazy.
I keep my files on 3 computers and 2 thumb drives. I try and maintain an up to data copy on each machine and drive, as well as old copies on the computers. I have a work computer and a home computer and a notebook computer. The finger drives are used to store and migrate data from machine to machine. Last week one of my thumb drives needed reformatting. All the data was gone. Thank heavens I had current back ups or I would have screamed.
The other thing I have noticed is that my data is the most precious thing I own. Until it is backed up somewhere I have to take it everywhere. This meant that when I was in the country, I couldn't risk the theft of my notebook from my room, so it lived in my cat boot. The paper copy went with me just in case the car was stolen and I carried it for kilometers every day. On the one hand I feel I am a bit crazy to do all of these things, on the other hand, their theft or loss would mean many months of work if I could be bothered to do it all again anyway.
I was talking to another PhD student the other day. I think as a group, we are all pretty erm... neurotic? Right at the moment I want a holiday and I can't wait to complete data collection. At the same time, I really would like not to bother about it at all, and spend my days weeding the garden or something else that's physical. I want to enjoy birthdays and Mothers days and stuff and I'd really like a lot of sleep. I'm tired of being married to a PhD.
Data collection in the bushWell, the site is not that far away but it's a decent drive. We stopped and had lunch on the way there last Sunday and checked in mid afternoon. I spent the day sorting out interview schedule, clothes, and notes about what was going on.
At the time we left, I had about 7 interviews locked down but none of these were with clinical nurses or doctors. However late on Friday afternoon, 1 person cancelled due to schedule conflicts. I decided that at worst, if this was all I could get, it was probably still worth going. I might have to go back for another round of meetings, but well... That is what research is about I guess.
By Monday morning, Friday's cancellation was rescheduled and various secretaries were giving me the run around about interviews. I also had to go to the offices that had been offered to me for the conduct of interviews to say thank you, it is nice to meet you, but the people I am talking to would prefer our meeting to take place at their workplaces. I went and introduced my self to them late Monday afternoon. I am so glad I did, they were lovely and, who knows, I may need them again for something.
By mid Monday morning I had received another interview cancellation but by the close of day I had seen 3 participants. I saw 2 the next day. I also received a phone call to say that 2 nursing participants would see me the next day and we spent some time scheduling these.
On Tuesday, I also dropped in on my Friday interview to say that I probably wouldn't be available then and could I either schedule for another time or do it by mail please? He was great and I will follow up the interview next week. The other Tuesday cancellation is also happy to be interviewed by mail. She had a schedule conflict for the first time that we had arranged.
On the Tuesday, I spent the entire afternoon been shown around the hospital, including all emergency and business continuity areas and the server rooms. The tools they use are very impressive.
On Wednesday I visited a data centre at 8.30 am and was ready for my first interview at 10 am. About 15 minutes prior to that, my interview with a medical clinician was confirmed for 10.30 am. My 10.00 was late and I was in a panic. Nevertheless, I did a 10.00, a 10.30 and an 11.00 appointment. Phew! Thank heavens my first appointment was the short survey and my second meeting was not with a chatty person. I couldn't believe I had managed all 3 interviews and a tour that morning.
All in all, I got 9 interviews. I need to follow this up with 2 mail surveys, which are actually not that good, but better than nothing. Hmm maybe phone surveys will be the thing- I will try and work on them next week before I send the survey by mail. I have completely rewritten it just in case it needs to be sent. I also will try and contact another clinical nurse and doctor for data validity reasons.
Hmmm I think I will need to send schedule stuff by phone, send all of the paperwork by snail-mail and conduct the interviews by phone. I will also need to obtain verbal consent by phone. I also need to follow up the 1 participant who signed a consent form but hasn't told me how to deal with their information. I might phone him next week.
Now I need only 1 participant from 1 site, 2-3 from another and the ones listed above. I can't wait to get through data collection, scheduling interviews and selling my research just isn't my cup of tea. I have never felt like such a nag as I did last week- but I only had 3 days and was doing the field trip on my own money.
The end of the week was spent making "To Do" lists and transferring data. I am almost there...
