Data Collection Methods
- Two part online Survey
- Interviews
- Observations
Survey
I asked questions concerning television and computer viewing habits; attitudes about viewing; locations of TV's in the respondents' homes; if TV is viewed during mealtimes; when sleeping; timing and duration it is viewed in the homes, and how one feels after having watched television for an extended period of time. I included questions about ones computer recreational habits since TV, in a digitized form, is now readily available on home computers. Copies of the two surveys, in their entirety, are included in the appendices.
Interviews
From the analysis of the two online surveys I formulated a set of questions that would be critical to focusing the discussions that would occur during the interview process. A large age range was represented from the online survey respondents. I carefully chose individuals to interview that would represent a variety of generational perspectives. In doing the selection I avoided using anyone under the age of 18 for the main reason that most of the online respondents were over 18 years old. I wanted the analysis that resulted from the online data to be able to be compared and contrasted with an equal age range as that used in the interview process. There were seven people who I interviewed, 4 women and 3 men.
Descriptions of those interviewed (all names have been changed):
- Frank, a 35 year old high school level English teacher readily accepted my request to interview him for my study. Very out-spoken on issues that involve society in general, he seemed pleased to be asked to participate. The interview was held in one of the computer labs after the students had left for the day. We actually sat in front of 2 computers and both logged onto the Net and began discussing the merits of online research. This proved to be a great way to focus both of our thoughts directly on the technology being discussed. Frank is married, lives in a rural community and raises a few farm animals. He has two children at home, a little boy who is 6 years old and in the 1st grade, and a daughter who is 9 years old and attends 4th grade. Frank admits that he loves being a teacher and could not envision himself being anything else. Frank enjoys raising farm animals as a way to maintain a "connection with reality". He felt that it was important for his two children to have the experience of learning the responsibilities associated with taking care of livestock. He told me that his family has 3 televisions, one in the kitchen, one in the living room and one in his and his wife's bedroom. He also has a computer that is kept in the family room and is used mainly by himself and his children.
- Tina, a 25-year-old woman who works full time in a professional field of work, was hesitant at first, to participate in the interview. Anonymity is crucial for her due to the type of work that she does. I promised her that all comments that she made would be used very carefully, with any identifying remarks either omitted or changed. This young woman was very articulate and seemed to be adept with information concerning security and technology. Currently enrolled as a part-time college student, she will have her bachelor's degree in another year. She seemed to have thought about issues relating to my research on here own, prior to my seeking her out. She has her own apartment, and it was there that we held the interview. Her place was an interesting retreat from the busy world. A casual tour of her home showed her to be a person who enjoys using colors creatively. Bookcase after bookcase were over-flowing with books on a wide range of subjects. She had two TV sets, one in her living room and one in her bedroom, plus a study with a computer. Her kitchen spoke of one who enjoys the art of cooking, with an eclectic array of cooking tools and cookbooks. Over numerous cups of coffee, she and I discussed television, society and commercialism. She provided me a wealth of information and a clear insight into the mind of the young professional. Her comments were extremely helpful. She promised to contact me if she had more to add after the interview, and she did, on several occasions, call me with more insights into what we had discussed previously.
- Joe is a high school student who will be graduating this June. He works part-time at the local mall and likes to snowmobile and play video games. He also enjoys going on the Net to chat with friends and to play online games. I interviewed Joe at his house. He has a TV in his own room along with his own computer. His family has 4 other TV sets and one other computer. Joe is a very laid back individual who is not too sure of what he plans to do after graduating from high school. He thinks that it would be "cool to program video games" and to do the artwork for some comic strip. He has not taken any courses in either of these subjects but he felt that he could learn the programming skills on his own. Joe was very open about his views on TV and computers. He added an important dimension to the study.
- Ann is a 28-year-old social studies teacher at an area high school. Living alone, she enjoys going out with her friends and shopping. Ann admits that being a teacher is not exactly what she had hoped it would be. She had some interesting comments about teenagers and education that were insightful and informative. The interview with Ann took place in her classroom during her lunch break. Noises from neighboring classrooms and people in the hallway filtered into our space as we talked. The classroom was large and 'dusty feeling'. There was one poster hung up on the wall, faded and torn at the corner, having to do with reading and featuring a movie star holding a book. We both sat in uncomfortable plastic molded chairs that had a side desk attached.
- Tricia, another high school student, also graduates this year. She has a part-time job at an area McDonalds. Tricia is a business student at her high school and does not have plans for further education after she graduates. I know Tricia through another co-worker. Tricia baby-sits the co-worker's children. The interview occurred during one of the baby-sitting jobs, at my co-worker's house. Tricia was not too articulate about her views on society and television. She does enjoy using the computer to chat with her friends and to download her favorite music. While we sat at the kitchen table to do the interview, the 2 children that she watches were occupied in the living room watching cartoons on the TV. A radio was playing in the kitchen while we talked. We each had a soda while we talked (which I had brought with me in addition to some cookies that I had made at home specifically for this occasion).
- Ed is a 45-year-old married man who I have known for approximately 6 years. He and his wife took some classes with me in the past and we had kept in touch. He was happy to be part of the study and seemed to enjoy having his thoughts taken down. Ed has worked at the same place of employment for over 20 years and is happy with his work. He has 3 children, all teenagers, two boys and a girl. Ed and I met at a local diner for the interview. Over coffee and omelets we discussed a full range of topics relating to my study. Ed seemed to have thought about the issues that I was addressing with great care. His concerns for the welfare of his children in the society in which we live were of primary importance to him. He has 1 TV and 2 computers in his home. The interview lasted a good two hours and proved to be very productive.
- Marie is a retired secretary. Sixty-seven years old, with several young grandchildren, she was very willing to discuss her views about television and society. Marie, and her husband have 5 televisions in their home, in the kitchen, living room, family room, guest room and their bedroom. They also have a computer. The interview with Marie took place in her kitchen. The TV was on the entire time that we talked. She would occasionally look at the screen and forget what she was talking about. After several times of this happening she laughed and turned off the volume yet still kept the TV visual portion turned on. Marie occasional seemed on the defensive when I questioned her about her viewing habits and had her compare them to those that she had in years past. It was an interesting and insightful interview.