Research methods

Guidance on, and examples of, each research method
General views of Shaugh Prior woods

This section of the toolkit should help you choose your research methods and guide you on how to use them to gather evidence about woodland wellbeing.

Key to research methods

The contents list below links to guidance on and examples of each research method. Each page includes a key to help you decide which methods are suitable for different participant groups and activities.

It may be useful to read the guidance on how to choose suitable research methods before looking at these.

Research methods comparison table

Research method Preparation time Time to gather data Time to analyse data Not suitable for ... Does data indicate wellbeing? Who, what, where people experience wellbeing? Is it an activity in itself?
Using pictorial flashcards Quick: print and cut up cards (finding your own could take time) 20 mins – 1 hour Quick as controlled outcome - Yes, if people talk about why they’ve selected pictures Yes, if people talk about why they’ve selected pictures Yes
Using indicator flashcards Quick: print and cut up cards 30 mins – 1 hour Quick as controlled outcome People with limited literacy skills, young children Yes Yes Yes
Peer interviews Undirected interviews: none Directed interview: can prep questions Fortune tellers: can print template 10-30 mins Slow – need to listen to all recordings/read notes Quicker if using prepared questions People lacking in confidence, or where group dynamic is problematic - Groups who don’t know each other - People with limited verbal communication Yes, if people talk freely Yes, with appropriate questions Yes
Surveys If using standard questionnaire, very little time. More time needed for devising own questions  Depends on how survey is administered (e.g. online or paper) Depends on size and scope of survey (e.g. closed versus open questions) Self-administered not suitable for people who have limited writing skills, Online not suitable for people who don’t use/have access to the internet Yes, with appropriate questions Yes, with appropriate questions No
One-to-one interviews Need time to devise interview questions Approx. 15 mins each interview Slow – need to listen to all recordings/read notes People with limited verbal communication Yes, with appropriate questions Yes, with appropriate questions No
Group interviews and discussions Need time to devise interview questions Approx 30 mins to allow time for discussion to get going Slow – need to listen to all recordings/read notes People lacking in confidence, where group dynamic is problematic, parents looking after children, people who struggle to communicate complex ideas Yes, with appropriate questions Yes, with appropriate questions Yes
Circle time and presentations Short – but need to decide on focus or give some guidance for presentations Presentations 2-10 mins each, Circle time 10-15 mins Slow if analysing video/audio where group dynamic is problematic - people who don’t like to talk in public - One-off activity days where people don’t know each other Yes, if people talk freely Yes, with appropriate guidance Yes
Slideshow or video discussion 2-3 hours to put together slideshow or video Fast if recording electronically Depends on the length of the discussion – may be time consuming if it prompts a long discussion Individuals who don’t like to talk in front of a group. Doing out in the woods unless you have laptop and a small group! Yes, if people talk freely Yes, with appropriate questions Yes
Reflective diaries and discussions None Approximately 30 mins each session (depending on how much depth you go in to). This is best done immediately after your session. (If typed directly onto a computer it can immediately be used at the analysis stage)  Slow: requires looking through diaries or listening to audio (quicker if the diary was typed directly on to a computer as can copy and paste evidence) written diary: researchers who can’t read/write - audio recording: researchers who aren’t verbal communicators Yes Yes Not for activity participants
Participant video None – unless you set tasks/parameters 10 – 30 mins Can be long if there is a lot of recorded video to watch and analyse People who haven’t given consent to photography/video. People who might find it difficult to use a video camera It can do – but depends on what has been filmed It can do – but depends on what has been filmed Can be
Making observations Quick: you may prepare video/audio recorders or print out recording sheets 10 mins – several hours Can be quick if you observe short ‘snap shots’ or can be long if you have recorded a lot of video/audio People who haven’t given consent to photography/video. People who are very self conscious Yes Yes No
Feedback games None but could prepare examples Approx. 10 mins Quick Adults/young people (who might feel patronised) Yes but data can be limited No Yes
Sentence starters 30 mins – to prepare starter sentences 10 - 20 mins Fast if recorded as notes, possibly longer if video/audio recording Non-verbal communicators Yes – if people talk freely Yes No
Sharing research findings with participants See individual methods for times 30 mins – 1 hour Quick unless new things come to light People who haven’t engaged with the research process Used to validate (or not) previous findings Yes – can be used to find this if missing from original data gathering No