Approaches To Qualitative Research

Question 1

Name the different approaches to QR

Answer 1

-Narrative Research (NR)
-Phenomenological research
-Grounded Theory
-Ethnographic research
-Case study research
-Participatory Action Research (PAR)

Question 2

What is Narrative research ? What do researchers collect and how do they collect it ?

Answer 2

Narrative research focuses on people’s experiences as expressed in lived and told stories. A narrative is a spoken or written text giving account of an event/action of series of events/actions that are chronologically connected.

Narrative researchers collect stories from individuals about their lived and told experiences. It sheds light on the identities of the individuals and how they see themselves. Stories are gathered through interviews, observations, documents, pictures and journels

Question 3

Name and explain the different types of Narrative Research.

Answer 3

• biographical approach: the researcher writes and records the experience of another person’s life
• autoethnographic approach: written and recorded by the individuals who are the subject of study
• life history approach: portrays an individual’s entire life
• an oral history approach: consists of gathering personal reflections of events and their causes and effects from one or several individuals

Question 4

What is phenomenological research ? How do researchers collect the data ?

Answer 4

It describes the common meaning for several individuals of their lived experiences of a phenomenon. Researchers collect data through purposive sampling and interviews

Question 5

What is meant by ‘bracketing’ ?

Answer 5

The researcher brackets themselves out of the study by discussing their personal experiences with the phenomenon. It helps focus the researcher on the experiences of the participants

Question 6

Name and discuss the types of phenomenology

Answer 6

• Hermeneutic phenomenology: involves the interpretation of the meaning of the lived experiences
• Transcendental phenomenology: focuses on bracketing and involves a textual and structural description of experiences

Question 7

What is Grounded Theory ? How do researchers collect data ?

Answer 7

Grounded Theory seeks to move beyond description towards generating or discovering theory - an explanation

Data collection through interviews

Question 8

What is memoing ?

Answer 8

Involves writing down notes as data is collected and analyzed

Question 9

Name and explain the types of Grounded theory

Answer 9

• Systematic Grounded Theory: involves the researcher systematically developing a theory that explains process, action or interaction on a topic (focus more on procedure)
• Constructivist Grounded Theory: includes enphasizing diverse local worlds, multiple realities, and the complexities of particular worlds, views and actions (focus more on context)

Question 10

What is Ethnograpic research and how is data obtained ?

Answer 10

Examination of shared patterns in larger studies of an entire culture-shared group.

Data is obtained through observations and interviews

Question 11

Name and explain the different types of ethnographies

Answer 11

• Realist ethnography: it is an objective account of the situation, written up in third person, and reported objectively
• Critical ethnography: the authors advocate for the emancipation of groups marginalized in society. Researchers are often politically oriented who challenge the status quo

Question 12

What is case study research ?

Answer 12

Involves the study of a case within a real life, contemporary context.

Includes observations, interviews, documents and audio-viduals

Question 13

Name and explain the different case studies

Answer 13

• Single instrumental case: the researcher focuses on an issue or concern, and then selects one bounded case to illustrate the issue
• Collective case study: One issue or concern is selected, but researcher uses multiple case studies to illustrate the issue
• Intrinsic case study: the focus is on the case itself as it presents unusual or unique situation

Question 14

What is Participatory Action Research ?

Answer 14

• It combines research with activism
• it aims to produce knowledge in partnership with those affected by that knowledge for the purpose of improving their social, educational and material position
• It is focused on the community, rather than the individual
• it challenges objectivity, and encourages active engagement

Question 15

PAR can be understood as straddling a series of 3 tensions. Name these tensions

Answer 15

• the tension between science and practice
• The tension between individual and collective needs
• The tension in the relationship between researcher and researched

Question 16

What is meant by ‘championing’

Answer 16

• the everyday world of social give-and-take over ‘rational’ scientific discourse
• the interest of research participants over researcher
• the needs of disempowered groups over powerful elites

Question 17

What are the three phases in PAR ?

Answer 17

1. Definitions of problems
2. Data collection and analysis
3. Utilisation of results

Question 18

What is the ultimate goal of PAR

Answer 18

• Structured transformation which is achieved in a collaborative relationship between researcher and participants
• Improvement of lives of those involved
• Raise awareness in people of their own abilities and resources to use for social action (Empowerment)

Question 19

How does Photovoice work and explain the basic procedures

Answer 19

Uses photography and audio or written captions as a way of collecting narratives of lived experiences

-Researcher and participant come together to discuss their lives
-Researcher fascilitates the process in consultation with participants
-Participants are given a camera and taught basic photography
-Participants go out and takes photographs
-Photographs and captions are showcased at exhibition

Question 20

Photovoice is a powerfull tool and process for _______

Answer 20

A social justice framework

Question 21

Photovoice disrupts _________ against people and places studied

Answer 21

Epistemological violence

Question 22

Photovoice focuses on _________ the communities studied

Answer 22

Changing and empowering

Question 23

Name the conceptual tools that guide Photovoice

Answer 23

-Participation
-Empowerment
-Critical consciousness
-Social Capital

Question 24

What is meant by Participation ?

Answer 24

A political process that challenges the opressive structures and lived experiences of disenfranchised groups

Question 25

Participatiom disrupts ______ and is the power to __________

Answer 25

Power processes

Represent oneself and gain recognition and access to resources needed for change

Question 26

Participation allows for :

Answer 26

• People’s daily lives to be discussed
• Solutions to be debated
• Action to be taken towards particular goals

Question 27

What are the 3 mechanisms that enable participation, name and explain

Answer 27

• Empowerment: Both an individual psychological state and a social process by which individuals and communities are inspired to act towards social action, are engaged in activities that promote their well being, and feel confident and in control of their lives

-Critical consciousness: A process of action and reflection to understand how individuals’ are shaped by their social context and how this impacts their daily realities

-Social Capital: Refers to levels of trust and collaboration among communities and common norms and beliefs

Question 28

How can we analyze photovoice data ?

Answer 28

Can take many forms:
-Thematic or Content analysis
-Discourse or narrative analysis

Question 29

Name three ethical considerations with Photovoice

Answer 29

Consent
Safety
Power and representation