Chapter 11 Qualitative methods

Question 1

Qualitative research

Answer 1

describes and makes sense of peoples thoughts, feelings, behaviours and experiences by focusing on what they say

Question 2

theoretical approach

Answer 2

how the planning, collection and analysis of data reflects researchers epistemological stance

Question 3

Homogenous sample

Answer 3

the people in your study are similar across numerous characteristics that are relevant to the study

Question 4

heterogenous study

Answer 4

the people in your study differ on one or more of the important characteristics

Question 5

theoretical sampling

Answer 5

participants are invited to take part in a research study because they have an experience that will contribute to the ongoing development of the theory

Question 6

face-to-face method

Answer 6

collection of data from a person or group by meeting with them in person or talking to them on the phone or online

Question 7

structured interview

Answer 7

a set list of questions that the researcher asks the participant

Question 8

unstructured interview

Answer 8

unspecific list of questions, instead of an opening question, conversation is allowed to flow naturally around the specific topic

Question 9

semi-structured interview

Answer 9

when the same topics are covered with each participant, with follow up questions reflecting on how the participants answered the question

Question 10

interview schedule

Answer 10

list of main questions or topics you want to address with your participants

Question 11

focus group

Answer 11

a small and homogenous group bought together with the purpose of participating in a group interview or some topic program

Question 12

orthographic transcription

Answer 12

verbatim transcription of what someone has said

Question 13

jeffersonian transcription

Answer 13

method of transcription that captures not just what people say but how they say it. Including hesitations, pauses and overlapping talk

Question 14

Qualitative methodology

Answer 14

how a researcher conducts their research and analyses their data to reflect a specific theoretical approach

Question 15

counter-examples

Answer 15

responses that contradict the patterns a researcher identifies in the data- involves searching for the data that does not support the researchers interpretation

Question 16

credibility checks

Answer 16

checks by researchers that interpretations are logical, grounded in the data, transparent robust and coherent

Question 17

triangulation procedures

Answer 17

used as credibility check and involves examining the extent to which perspectives on an issue coincide

Question 18

participant verification

Answer 18

researcher presents interpretations of the data to participants in the study and asks them to consider whether the researchers conclusion reflects their experience

Question 19

Thematic analysis

Answer 19

grouping data into themes and patterns according to specific guidelines

Question 20

codes

Answer 20

words or short phrases that summarise qualitative data in a meaningful way and seeks to capture a salient aspect of the data

Question 21

Theme

Answer 21

patterns of the data that describes a particular phenomenon that is reflective of the research question

Question 22

epistemology

Answer 22

beliefs about what valid knowledge is and how this knowledge is obtained

Question 23

epistemological stance

Answer 23

how the researcher views what valid knowledge is and and what they see as appropriate methods for obtaining this knowledge

Question 24

Relativism

Answer 24

epistemological stance where a researcher takes up the position that no-one can hold or present absolute truth, meaning that different people have different perceptions of the world

Question 25

Realism

Answer 25

epistemological stance where a researcher believes a single measurable objective really exists

Question 26

Experiential approach

Answer 26

focus is on the participants experiences of the world, where the experiences become the research data

Question 27

phenomenological theoretical approach

Answer 27

developing an understanding of a persons perceptions and experiences

Question 28

social constructivism

Answer 28

reality is specific to the individual, and therefore multiple realities can be constructed through individuals and groups interacting with each other

Question 29

Interpretative phenomenological analysis

Answer 29

understanding the lived experiences of individuals by focusing on how they themselves make sense of a particular phenomenon

Question 30

idiographic approach

Answer 30

focuses on individuals and seeks to capture and represent the experiences of each individual

Question 31

Nomothetic approach

Answer 31

focuses on understandings of groups and seeks to represent these groups as a whole rather than as individuals within the group

Question 32

Double hermeneutic

Answer 32

the first interpretation is the participants interpretation of their experiences and the second interpretation is the researchers interpretation of the participants interpretation

Question 33

superordinate themes

Answer 33

overarching theme representing the meaning of several themes

Question 34

theoretical sensitivity

Answer 34

the ability of the researcher to display insight, understanding and meaning through developing a theory that is grounded in the data

Question 35

theoretical saturation

Answer 35

point where a researcher has developed a theory that is well grounded and confirmed by the data and no more modifications are made

Question 36

constant comparative method

Answer 36

data collection, coding and analysis occur concurrently, and influence each other and assisting the researcher in identifying and developing concepts in the data

Question 37

open coding

Answer 37

researcher codes the data with no preconceived themes in mind

Question 38

focused coding

Answer 38

the development of initial themes based on more relevant codes

Question 39

selective coding

Answer 39

a phrase in grounded theory when a researcher focuses on certain codes and initial themes for the purpose of generating a core theme

Question 40

discriminate sampling

Answer 40

conducting further purposive sampling to confirm the theory that you have developed and to demonstrate theoretical saturation