Lecture 2 - Qualitative data collection methods and approaches Flashcards
What are the key characteristics of qualitative data?
- Descriptive - expressed in words
- Focuses on understanding the meaning behind human experiences, behaviour, and perceptions
What are some common methods used to collect qualitative data?
- Interviews (structured, semi-structured, or unstructured)
- Focus groups
- Online surveys
- Case studies
- Observation
Researchers may also use media content and medical records to gather qualitative data
What are the advantages of using interviews
- Interviews allow for in-depth exploration of a participant’s experience, beliefs, and thoughts
- They provide the researcher with detailed highlights and can adapt to the participant’s responses, offering flexibility
How does a focus group differ from a one-on-one interview in qualitative research?
- Focus groups involve multiple participants discussing a topic together, promoting group dynamics and providing insight into shared experiences
- In contrast, interviews allow for deeper, individual exploration of the topic
What are some common challenges with conducting focus groups?
- Managing participant dynamics (e.g., dominant voices, social divisions)
- Ensuring participants feel comfortable enough to share
- Achieving meaningful discussion that reflect a variety of perspectives
What are the key advantages of focus groups as a data collection method?
- Focus groups encourage the exchange of ideas
- They help identify group consensus or differences
- They provide insights into how people interact with each other and respond to particular topics
What are the limitations of focus groups in qualitative research?
- The risk of groupthink
- Dominance by certain participants
- Difficulties in ensuring the discussion stays relevant to the research objectives
- Focus group may also not represent a broader population
What is thematic analysis in qualitative research?
- Thematic analysis is a method of analysing qualitative data by identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns or themes within the data
- It helps uncover key insights and facilitates the understanding of the data’s significance
What does thematic analysis help researchers uncover?
Underlying themes and patterns in the data that relate to the research question, providing deeper understanding of participants’ experiences and perspectives
How did Koert et al. (2018) use thematic analysis in their research?
Koert et al. (2018) used thematic analysis to explore reasons for infertility and unidentified themes related to biomedical factors, lifestyle factors, and fate -related explanations, such as stress and other life factors
What are field notes, and why are they important?
- Field notes are detailed written accounts that document observations during data collection, such as interviews or focus groups
- They capture the context, participant emotions, and non-verbal cues that may not bd evident in the audio or written records
What should field notes focus on during an interview or focus group?
- Context
- Setting
- Body language
- Emotional responses
- Any other non-verbal cues that provide additional insight into the data being collected
What is the purpose of using online surveys in qualitative research?
- Online surveys can be used to gather qualitative data from a wide range of participants, allowing them to answer open-ended questions in their own words
- They offer convenience and can reach diverse populations
How do online surveys compare to traditional face-to-face interviews in qualitative research?
- Online surveys provide flexibility and reach, allowing participants to respond at their convenience
- However, they may lack the depth and personal connection that face-to-face interviews provide, potentially limiting the richness of the data
Wha are the benefits of using observation in qualitative research?
- Observation allows researchers to collect data in real-life contexts, providing insights into natural behaviour and interactions
- It also allows for non0verbal data collection, which can reveal hidden insights not captured thorugh interviews or surveys
What does the term “participant dynamics” refer to?
Participant dynamics refers to how the group’s interactions, individual personalities, and power imbalances can influence the discussion and outcomes of the focus group
What role does rapport-building play in qualitative interviews?
Building rapport helps establish trust between the researcher and the participant, making the participant feel comfortable sharing personal and sensitive information during the interview
What are some considerations when analysing data from focus groups?
Researchers should consider:
- The influence of group dynamics
- The impact of participant backgrounds
- The balance between individual and group perspectives
- Analysing focus group data also requires identifying recurring themes and patterns
Why is participant heterogeneity (variability) important in qualitative research?
Participant heterogeneity ensures a variety of perspectives are represented, enriching the data and helping to capture a more comprehensive range of experiences and viewpoints
How can thematic analysis be applied to complex qualitative datasets?
- Thematic analysis can be used to break down large datasets into manageable themes and categories
- Researchers can identify recurring patterns, words, or phrases that are relevant to their research question and analyse them for deeper meanings
How does the use of media content enrich qualitative research?
Media content (such as news articles, videos, or advertisements) can provide valuable context and perspectives on societal issues, cultural norms, and public opinion that can complement other qualitative data sources
