Chapter 7:

Data Gathering

To accompany Anderson, D. L. (2017).

Organization Development (4th ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
 Data Gathering
• Argyris:
• “Without valid information it would be difficult
for the client to learn and for the
interventionist to help . . . Valid information is
that which describes the factors, plus their
interrelationships, that create the problem for
the client system.”
• Helps us work with the client on a valid
fact-based diagnosis and develop a fact-
based intervention to solve the problem

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 Data Gathering
• Helps to distinguish between the
presenting problem versus the
underlying problem
• Distinction between the technical/business
problem and the organizational and
personal problem
• Understand how the problem is being
managed

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Common Data Gathering
Techniques
• Interviews
• Focus Groups
• Surveys
• Observation
• Unobtrusive Measures

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Interviews
• Distinction between confidentiality
and anonymity
• Confidential: No one will know what
was said.
• Anonymous: No one will know that it
was you.
• Emphasize interest in interviewee,
not in one particular answer

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Interviews
• Use a partner – one asks, one writes
• Develop an interview guide – but let
the conversation flow where it will
• Choice: census vs. sampling
• Summary for client: use of quotes?

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Focus Groups
• Similar issues to interviews
• Confidentiality vs. anonymity
• Focused interview guide
• Facilitator and scribe
• Homogeneous vs. heterogeneous
• Watch for less vocal participants
• Audio or video recording

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Surveys
• Combine with focus group before or
after
• Census vs. sampling
• Anonymity of respondents
• Careful wording of questions
• Statistical accuracy; careful how much
statistical info to present to client

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Observations
• Decision to share your
identity/purpose?
• Share ideas with a colleague to avoid
bias or use two or more observers
• Amount and detail of note-taking in
the moment vs. later on privately
• Audio or video recording

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Unobtrusive Measures
• Examples: Historical data, official documents, Web
chat, discussion boards, databases, physical
environment, language
• Usually already exist apart from the OD engagement
• Can be time and resource intensive; be careful to
define what question you’re answering
• Can contradict or substantiate (validate) information
obtained through other means
• Multiple interpretations: invite the client or
organizational members to help explain what the data
mean
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 How do you determine the right
data-gathering approach?
“Facts” from the Our interpretation of Data we would Best suited
client’s point of what might be need to have to method
view causing the client’s validate our
presenting problem interpretation

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 Choosing the Right Strategy
• All methods of data gathering have advantages and
disadvantages. How to choose?
• Investment required: time and money
• Access
• Relevance
• Accuracy
• Flexibility

• “Select a method that fits with the time available, the

motivation of the client, and the severity of the
problems. Don’t overinvest.” (Peter Block, Flawless
Consulting)
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