L8 21/02 Flashcards
(27 cards)
What does qualitative research assume?
That reality is experienced through the constructive processes of the human mind, never accessed directly (unlike quantitative research).
Definition of subjectivity
Personal values and biases can never be fully controlled, and are important
Definition of shared data
Created by both the researcher and the researched
Definition of holistic
Complete understanding of the phenomena
Definition of flexible
Changing design where process is as important as outcome
Definition of uncontrolled
Conducted in ‘real world’ settings
Strengths of qualitative research
- Useful in exploratory, descriptive, or evaluative research
- Able to access most human populations
- Can address sensitive topics
- Able to generate rich and detailed data
- Relatively low cost
- Compatible with the concept of ‘holism’
Limitations of qualitative research
- Value of the approach still questioned within the largely positivist research community
- Participants not anonymous
- Considerable potential for ‘causing’ real distress to participants
- Very demanding of participants time and experience
- Very labour intensive and time consuming
What are the 5 qualitative designs
Ethnography Grounded theory Phenomenology Phenomenology sampling Discourse analysis
What does ethnography involve?
Human groups evolve a culture, which determines group members view of the world and shapes their behaviours
What does grounded theory involve?
Theory is “grounded” in the data (participant views) and emerges from the reality that it explains.
What does phenomenology involve?
- Assumes that all phenomena have an “essence” which can be understood through lived experience
- Research aims to understand people’s experience and interpret the phenomenon of interes
What does phenomenology sampling involve?
- Samples normally involve small numbers (10 – 20)
- “Convenience” sampling used (such as ‘snowballing’) where subjects recruit more subjects
- The sampling strategy and participant characteristics are essential component
What does discourse analysis involve?
- The underlying assumption is that the way language is used structures cultural meanings and behaviours
- The research focus is on exploring and analysing talk, text and interactions
- Data can be both naturally occurring or socially generated (which will inform data collection methods
Give 2 data collection methods
Interviews
Focus groups
Features of interviews
1:1 discussion
poorly structured
flexible
Questions open ended and inviting narration
Check the format (face-to-face, telephone, online)
Features of focus groups
Valuable group interactions
Very dependent on quality facilitation
Need to record non-verbal cues (nodding agreement etc)
Halo effect
Facilitator skills
- Attentiveness
- Sensitivity to the feelings of the respondent
- Ability to tolerate silences
- Adept at using open language:
- Prompt, probe and check understanding of responses
- Being non-judgemental
- Respecting the rights of the interviewee
- Use an introduction to break through ‘official’ versions of the world and build rapport
- Note the situation, non-verbal cues, behaviours
- Manage humour – good to encourage engagement if appropriate
- Close the session by inviting further comments and thanking participants
- Commence leave-taking rituals
- Deal with emotional issues and debriefing
What is transcription?
- Recordings capture all the nuances of an interview interaction
- The original recording IS the data
- Accurate transcription ‘backs-up’ the data and facilitates analysis
- Transcription uses a notation system to indicate characteristics of speech and non-verbal elements
Do qualitative methods assume that reality can be accessed and measured directly?
No
Are qualitative methods are associated with a constructivist approach?
Yes
Is the biggest challenge in qualitative research design is trying to determine which respondents have provided the right answer?
No
Do qualitative methods seek to gain knowledge from the meaning that people bring to their experiences?
Yes
What words are most commonly associated with qualitative research methods?
- Biased
- Subjectivity
- Flexible
- Holistic
- Real world
