Asking chatgpt to evaluate and choose a research method to use in a housing studies dissertation project: example 1

Asking chatgpt (accessed via poe.com) to evaluate and choose a research method to use in a housing studies dissertation project

My question: "I am a part-time Housing Studies student, currently learning the subject of Research Methods. I am investigating a housing issue, namely, the stress of life experienced by the elderly residents living in the public estate in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong. There are two research methods for me to consider, as they are both feasible for me to employ. The first one is a photo elicitation-based interview with three elderly residents living in the public estate in Tsuen Wan. The second one is a questionnaire survey with about 20 elderly residents living in Tsuen Wan, via convenience sampling. Could you tell me what are the strengths and weaknesses for these two research methods, and then recommend to me which research method is a better one to use in this case and why? Tks a lot."

The reply from chatgpt: "Certainly! Here’s an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of both research methods you’re considering for your study on the stress of elderly residents in Tsuen Wan:

1. Photo Elicitation-Based Interviews

Strengths:

Rich Qualitative Data: This method encourages deeper insights as participants can discuss their feelings and experiences related to the photos, leading to rich narratives.

Visual Engagement: Photos can evoke memories and emotions, prompting participants to express thoughts they might not articulate in a traditional interview.

Personal Connection: It may foster a stronger rapport between the interviewer and participants, making them feel more comfortable sharing personal experiences.

Weaknesses:

Small Sample Size: With only three participants, the findings may not be generalizable to the wider elderly population in Tsuen Wan.

Subjectivity: The interpretation of photos and the narratives they generate can be subjective, potentially leading to bias in analysis.

Time-Consuming: Analyzing qualitative data from interviews can be time-intensive, both in conducting interviews and in analyzing the data.

2. Questionnaire Survey

Strengths:

Larger Sample Size: Gathering data from about 20 participants allows for a broader understanding of the issues faced by elderly residents.

Quantitative Data: Surveys can provide quantifiable data that can be statistically analyzed, making it easier to identify trends and patterns.

Efficiency: Questionnaires can be distributed and collected relatively quickly, allowing for faster data collection.

Weaknesses:

Limited Depth: Surveys may not capture the complexity of participants’ experiences or the nuances of their stress, as responses are often limited to predefined options.

Response Bias: Participants may interpret questions differently, leading to inconsistencies in responses.

Less Personal Interaction: The lack of personal interaction might result in lower engagement, which could affect the quality of responses.

Recommendation

Given your focus on understanding the stress of life experienced by elderly residents, a photo elicitation-based interview might be the better choice if you are looking for depth and richness of data. This method could provide valuable insights into the emotional and psychological aspects of their experiences, which is particularly relevant when exploring stress.

However, if your goal is to gather a broader understanding of trends affecting a larger group, and you're interested in quantifiable data, the questionnaire survey could serve that purpose well.

Conclusion

If feasible, consider a mixed-methods approach: start with a questionnaire to gather general trends and then follow up with photo elicitation interviews for a subset of participants to explore specific issues in greater depth. This would allow you to benefit from both methods, providing a comprehensive understanding of the housing issue."

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.