Lecture 11A: Qualitative research methods (Definitions and types)

Question 1

What are the main differences between quantitative and qualitative research?

Answer 1

• Quantitative research: measurable variables, follows a linear model
• Qualitative research: words/ideas, follows a circular model.

Question 2

Define qualitative research.

Answer 2

Involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data that are not easily reduced to numbers.

human behaviour = a product of how people interpret the world

Question 3

What are the paradigms that help understand the difference between quantitative and qualitative research?

Answer 3

Positivist paradigm and interpretivist paradigm.

Question 4

What is the research process in quantitative research?

Answer 4

State a research question, formulate a hypothesis, design an experiment, collect data, analyze data, draw a conclusion.

Question 5

What is the research process in qualitative research?

Answer 5

Start with a priori assumptions, collect data, analyze data, and develop theories.

Question 6

What type of research question is typical in quantitative research?

Answer 6

What causes Y? What is the effect of X on Y within a population of cases?

Question 7

What type of research question is typical in qualitative research?

Answer 7

What Xs explain Y for one or more specific cases?
e.g. What factors contribute to anxiety in
patients undergoing dental treatment?

Question 8

Fill in the blank: Quantitative research uses _______ variables.

Answer 8

measurable

Question 9

Fill in the blank: Qualitative research uses _______ as its data.

Answer 9

words/ideas

Question 10

What are the types of data used in quantitative research?

Answer 10

Measurable variables (numerical data), statistical analysis.

Question 11

What are the types of data used in qualitative research?

Answer 11

Concepts and variables as words/ideas, thematic analysis.

Question 12

What can qualitative research reveal about people’s experiences?

Answer 12

How people feel, what people say, what people think, what people perceive.

Involving feelings and impressions

Question 14

What is ontology?

Answer 14

The study of reality or being, exploring the nature of existence.

Question 15

What is epistemology?

Answer 15

The study of knowledge, focusing on what we know and how we know it.

Question 16

True or False: Qualitative research starts with theories to generate hypotheses.

Answer 16

False

Question 17

True or False: Quantitative research involves an inductive process.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

What are the two views of ontology?

Answer 18

Realistic ontology and idealistic ontology.

Question 19

What does realistic ontology assert?

Answer 19

The world has qualities that are independent of our ideas (objective) and are available to us

Question 20

What does idealistic ontology assert?

Answer 20

We only have access to our own ideas and subjective experiences

Question 21

Fill in the blank: Qualitative research involves _______ materials.

Answer 21

empirical

Question 22

What are some methods used in qualitative research?

Answer 22

Case studies, personal experiences, introspection, life stories, interviews.

Question 23

What is the purpose of the qualitative research process?

Answer 23

To describe phenomena, routines, problematic moments, and meanings in people’s lives.

Question 24

What is the ‘wheel of science’ concept?

Answer 24

Inductive

• Observation -> empirical generalization -> theory)
• For qualitative research

Deductive

• theory -> hypothesis -> observation as confirmation)
• For quantitative research

Question 25

What is a paradigm in the context of knowledge?

Answer 25

A model to generate knowledge, showing patterns. ## Footnote Refers to an organizational framework to generate knowledge, containing tools, methods, and scope

Question 26

What is ontology?

Answer 26

* The study of reality or being * Explores the nature of existence

Question 27

In realistic ontology, how can one ensure that data corresponds directly to reality?

Answer 27

By using the right methodology to avoid bias from one's perspective and/or values

Question 28

In idealistic ontology, what do researchers study?

Answer 28

Their mental constructs of the world - data does not correspond directly to reality

Question 29

What is epistemology?

Answer 29

* The study of knowledge * Explores what we know, how we know what we know

Question 30

What is the relationship between epistemology and ontology?

Answer 30

Epistemology is linked to ontology as it shares beliefs about what exists and how it may be known

Question 31

What does positivist epistemology (positivism) focus on?

Answer 31

Empirical facts that correspond directly to reality independently from the observer's expectations or ideas

Question 32

What is pragmatic epistemology (pragmatism)?

Answer 32

A middle ground that assumes phenomena operate independently from our ideas but must be apprehended through our ideas

Question 33

In interpretive epistemology, how is the world understood?

Answer 33

Arises from idealistic ontology - As a world of ideas about ourselves, society, or nature

Question 34

What do critical and ideological epistemologies share?

Answer 34

Idealistic ontological assumptions

Question 35

What is the aim of critical and ideological epistemology?

Answer 35

To construct new knowledge ideologically or creatively

Question 36

True or False: Positivist epistemology is predominant in health-related research.

Answer 36

True

Question 37

What is commonly assumed about the scientific approach to health-related research?

Answer 37

That it is positivist epistemology using quantitative methods

Question 38

Fill in the blank: Knowledge can be generated by _______ facts that correspond to reality independently from researcher expectations.

Answer 38

empirical

Question 39

Fill in the blank: Knowledge can also be generated ideologically and creatively using _______.

Answer 39

interpretation, change, and reinterpretation

Question 40

What do paradigms or models guide us through?

Answer 40

The process to generate knowledge

Question 41

What does the summary state about exploring phenomena?

Answer 41

We can explore what is real (ontology) or what we know and how we know what we know (epistemology)