Module 3 - Qualitative Flashcards
In qualitative research, the volunteers who participate in a study are called
Participants rather than subjects. Participants are also known as informants.
The sampling method used for qualitative research is
Purposive; the researchers wish to obtain information from specific persons who could provide inside information about the subject being studied.
A purposive sample is one selected intentionally and it includes volunteers who are willing to tell their stories.
Key informants
Individuals who have intimate knowledge of a subject and are willing to share it with the researcher
In qualitative research, another type of sampling often used alone or in combination with purposive sampling is snowball sampling. This is…
Recruitment of participants based on word of mouth or referrals from other participants.
Qualitative researchers often find this to be an effective way to identify key informants.
The number of participants in a qualitative research study is also different from the numbers involved in quantitative methods. Generally, a smaller number is involved (often 6 to 12 participants in many studies). Instead of being determined by the number of variables the researchers might include in a quantitative study, in qualitative designs…
Data saturation is…
In qualitative designs, sample size is determined by the information being provided by the participants.
Data collection stops when no new information is being obtained and repetition of information is consistently heard. This is called data saturation.
The three main sources of data in qualitative research are ______ (3)
This data comes from fieldwork, which is…
(1) in-depth interviews, (2) direct observation, and (3) artifacts such as written documents, photographs, and physical objects
The data come from fieldwork, which is a term used to describe the time researchers spend interacting with participants through interviews, observations, and sessions during which detailed records are created. These records include field notes, methodological logs, and reflective journals.
Field notes include notations made before, during, and after contacts with participants to record observations about such details as the participant’s mood, environment, and others in the setting
The interview is often the key source of data in qualitative research. The questions are…
Generally, interview questions are open-ended, allowing the participant to respond freely and provide the most information possible. The researcher may use an unstructured interview and then follow up with questions as the informant leads. However, most researchers compile a set of questions that arise from the literature review or previous interviews, and these questions guide the discussion with interview participants.
Unlike in quantitative research, the interview questions may even change over time as the researcher collects additional data that prompt exploration in other directions.
Researchers should avoid common pitfalls of qualitative research, which are
They should pay attention to seemingly simple details such as bringing backup batteries for the tape recorder, having plenty of space on the video recorder to complete an interview that runs longer than expected, being sure there is a power source available if using electricity, and the like. A quiet place where the interview can be conducted without interruption is essential. The investigators must anticipate every problem and have a plan in place. The normal interruptions of daily life make it difficult enough to conduct an interview, even without common problems interfering.
Recruiting volunteers who are willing to be interviewed can present a challenge. Nurse scientists may find participants by
advertising in newspapers or newsletters, visiting support groups, using the media such as television or radio, posting fliers in places where potential participants might be, or partnering with a healthcare facility that services patients who may volunteer.
Snowball sampling
After an interview is complete, it is…
Transcribed verbatim and printed for review.
Participant observation is the term most often used to describe the role of the researcher in qualitative data collection. It means…
Role of the researcher in qualitative methods when the researcher is not only an observer but also a participant during data collection.
_______ provide an additional source of data in qualitative research. This is particularly true in historical research when the main source of data is governmental reports, journals, books, memos, photographs, letters, or diaries. It is important for researchers to remember when using these sources that they can provide only a snapshot in time. Furthermore, the researcher must determine the authenticity of these sources of evidence.
Artifacts
Data analysis in qualitative research involves….
________ refers to the data collection process in which the researcher “lives” with the data over time. The researcher should constantly reflect on the data and make comparisons with existing data as new information is obtained.
description, data reduction, analysis, and interpretation.
Immersion
Memoing
Researchers use a technique called memoing to record ideas that come to them as they live with data.
It is important to memo ideas as they occur because it is difficult to recreate them after a period of time
Bracketing
A strategy used by qualitative researchers to set aside personal interpretations to avoid bias.
Data reduction
The simplification of large amounts of data obtained from qualitative interviews or other sources.
Terms, ideas, or quotations from transcribed interviews are identified to help the researcher focus on the common themes and patterns that will emerge.
Computer software may be of great assistance in managing these data and helping to assign codes, numbers, colors, or other distinguishing marks to sets of data as the researcher attempts to group the data into meaningful segments.
The final phase of managing the data is interpretation. which is…
In some types of qualitative research, _______ is an expected outcome. In this case, the researcher must identify concepts and find links or relationships among them to form one
Interpretation is critical because it brings the message of the participants to the public for reading and application. The researcher uses interpretation to provide meanings that can be used in EBP. Interpretation is open to subjectivity because it is likely that no two researchers would interpret the meaning of the data in exactly the same way.
Theory development
The four essential elements of evaluation of qualitative research are
credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.
Credibility
One of four criteria for establishing a trustworthy qualitative study; refers to the truth or believability of findings.
Transferability
One of four criteria for a trustworthy qualitative study that relates to whether findings from one study can be transferred to a similar context; application of findings to a different situation.
Transferability is accomplished through techniques such as eliciting thick descriptions, executing adequate sampling, and achieving data saturation.
Thick descriptions involve rich, written comments and narrative related to the situation being studied.
Dependability
One of four criteria for a trustworthy qualitative study that relates to consistency in the findings over time; auditability; findings are reflective of data.
Confirmability
One of four criteria for a trustworthy qualitative study that relates to the rigorous attempts to be objective and the maintenance of audit trails to document the research process; findings can be substantiated by participants.
Neutrality refers to the findings of the research versus the researcher
Credibility is established through many strategies that are built into qualitative research. Strategies include…
persistent observation, peer debriefing, referential adequacy, and member checks.
Persistent observation
When the researcher has spent sufficient quality time with participants while attempting to describe and capture the essence of the phenomenon.