A brief note on the comparison of the data gathering strategy of narrative interview and questionnaire survey

A brief note on the comparison of the data gathering strategy of narrative interview and questionnaire survey (information from perplexity.ai)

My question: "Briefly compare the data gathering strategies (e.g. recruitment of participants, sample size, etc.) of the research methods of (1) narrative interview and (2) questionnaire survey with reference to 4-month MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects."

The reply: "The data gathering strategies for narrative interviews versus questionnaire surveys differ notably in participant recruitment, sample size, and data collection approach, especially in the context of 4-month MBA and Housing Studies dissertation projects.

Narrative Interview:

• Recruitment tends to focus on purposeful sampling of information-rich participants who have relevant experiences or stories to share. This sampling is usually small and qualitative to gain in-depth insights.

• Sample sizes are typically small to allow detailed, rich narrative data collection. Several interviews may be conducted sequentially, allowing time for transcription and reflection.

• Data collection involves open-ended, non-directive interviewing following structured phases: initiation, main narration (non-interruption), questioning, and concluding talk. This is time-intensive and requires interviewer skill to elicit rich personal narratives.

Questionnaire Survey:

• Recruitment is often broader and may use random or convenience sampling to achieve a larger, statistically representative sample.

• Sample sizes tend to be large to allow for quantitative analysis, hypothesis testing, and generalization of results.

• Data collection is done through structured instruments with closed-ended questions designed for quick and efficient data gathering and analysis.

In a 4-month MBA dissertation, narrative interviews might be used for exploratory qualitative understanding from a few participants, while questionnaire surveys permit quantitative measurement involving larger samples within tight time constraints. In Housing Studies projects, narrative interviews can capture rich personal housing experiences of targeted participants, while surveys can identify broader trends within Gen Z middle-class populations. The choice between the two depends on research goals, time, and resource constraints.

This summary aligns with narrative interviewing principles emphasizing depth and rich storytelling from a small, purposively selected sample, versus questionnaire surveys prioritizing breadth and statistical representation with larger samples. Narrative interviews typically involve purposive recruitment of a small number of information-rich participants to elicit detailed personal stories through open-ended, non-directive interviewing. Sample sizes are small due to the time-intensive nature of collecting and analyzing rich qualitative data. The interview follows phases including initiation, uninterrupted narration, questioning, and concluding talk. This method suits 4-month MBA and Housing Studies dissertations when deep understanding of individual experiences is prioritized.

Questionnaire surveys recruit larger, often random or convenience samples to achieve statistical representativeness. Sample sizes are larger to allow quantitative analysis, with data collected via structured instruments containing closed-ended questions for efficiency. This method fits dissertations needing broader trend identification or hypothesis testing within the constraints of a short project timeline.

For 4-month MBA projects, narrative interviews are used for exploratory insight with few participants, while surveys enable data collection from many respondents. In Housing Studies, narrative interviews uncover rich personal housing stories among selected Gen Z middle-class participants, whereas surveys capture wider population patterns. The strategies differ mainly in recruitment purpose, sample size, and data depth, reflecting qualitative versus quantitative goals and timing considerations."

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