Part II Flashcards
(50 cards)
Triangulation
When two or more methods are used to check or clarify qualitative research findings
Sampling method that is LEAST likely to produce a representative sample
Snowball sampling
Coding
The process of marking segments of data with symbols, descriptive words, or category names
Phenomenology has its disciplinary origins in:
Philosophy
Assumptions to be met when Pearson product moment correlation (r) is used
Data should be interval or ratio and Normally distributed and the relationship (correlation) should be linear
What is meant by “potential confounders”?
Factors/variables which are not the focus of the study but can confound (affect) the findings.
What is a “confidence interval” (CI)?
Range of values within which the mean lies. Level of confidence as a percentage (95%) that the true mean is between the upper and lower values given
What is meant by “covert” observation?
Researcher observes people in whom s/he is interested, without informing them that they are being observed
What ethical concerns do covert observational studies raise?
People being observed cannot consent to the research. The researcher may have to lie about who they are/what they are doing, which can put them in a difficult position. Full anonymity is not possible, although confidentiality can be maintained, but this is completely in the control of the researcher. Particular issues of anonymity arise for people not directly involved in the study (e.g. passers-by)
Distinguish between structured, semi-structured and unstructured interviews
Structured: follow standard script, each interviewee is asked the same questions
Semi-structured: outline interview script/schedule followed, core questions asked of each interviewee, but individual responses pursued as felt appropriate
Unstructured: no script, close to a conversation, the interviewee is free to talk about whatever is deemed relevant
What is The Cochrane Library?
A library maintained by the Cochrane collaboration, containing all systematic reviews conducted according to Cochrane principles
What are randomised controlled trials?
Trial = experimental study comparing one or more interventions with none (or current best practice). Participants randomly allocated to group. One control (non-intervention) group plus one or more experimental group or groups
What is meant by “loss to follow-up”?
Participants were not available for later stages of the study, e.g. to explore long-term effects
Why did the review exclude studies in which more than 15% of participants were lost to follow-up?
If participants are lost to follow-up, impossible to measure long-term effects/outcomes. Exclusion criterion set at 15% lost to follow-up to enable meaningful long-term comparisons
Why did the two authors independently assess the quality of the trials and extract data?
To ensure that criteria were applied consistently/in a non-idiosyncratic way
What is “heterogeneity”?
Variability, difference between studies, here in relation to the analyses conducted
Distinguish between methodology and method
Methodology: general approach to conducting a research study, Method: specific technique, usually for data collection (sometimes also used in relation to data analysis)
Give a qualitative example of method
interviews, observation, focus groups
Give a qualitative example of methodology
IPA, grounded theory, discourse analysis, conversation analysis, visual methodology, ethnography
Why would a qualitative researcher choose to use interviews rather than focus groups?
Seeking to obtain in-depth information. Interested in individual perspectives, rather than outcomes of group discussion. Exploring highly sensitive or personal topics/issues (1 mark). Exploring topics/issues where social acceptability is likely to shape responses. Concerns re anonymity/confidentiality
What is meant by “saturation” in qualitative research?
Data saturation occurs when researchers decide that they are no longer hearing or seeing new information in their data. Qualitative researchers analyse the data they collect while the study is continuing. When researchers decide that no new data are emerging since data from new research participants are repeating themes/topics/concepts identified in responses from previous participants, and therefore future participants are unlikely to say anything which has not already been identified. researchers then stop recruiting/interviewing new participants, because further recruitment will not produce anything new
Which approach to qualitative research generally uses “bracketing,” and
Bracketing is generally used in IPA
What is meant by “bracketing”?
It is a process whereby qualitative researcher/s consciously/actively seek to identify/become aware of their own prejudgements and prior knowledge. Aim: researchers are seeking to suspend the influence of their prior knowledge and preconceptions, the researcher aims to analyse participants’ accounts with increased awareness of what the researcher brings to the analysis
Why do some qualitative researchers recommend bracketing?
Discusses:
awareness of prejudgements may help researchers to address the subject matter on its own terms.
bracketing assists researchers to be mindful of their own presence and influence in the whole research process
researchers aim to increase their awareness of how participants’ accounts might challenge existing theory/expectations.
