Qualitative Data Flashcards
Finals preperations
What is Qualitative reserch?
- explain the reality of the world though the perspective of the participants
- Data:
# Descriptive ( words)
# collected from natural setting (no laboratories)
# analyzed inductively ( collect first ask later) - instrument:
# The researcher itself ( no equipment).
# Researcher is active with the participants.
# results are subjective ( based on perceptions, opinions and experiences of the participants). - Researchers:
# Concerned with the process, not the outcomes.
Difference of Qualitative research and quantitative research?
Qulaitative reserch:
- relatively smaller population samples
- context specific
- carefully selected sample (aka “purposive sampling”)
- may include accessing:
# subject matter experts(SME)
# group members
# witnesses
How to Do qualitative research: Steps?
- define the problem
- identify the theoretical framework
- develop the research question(s)
- choose the most appropriate study design
- select the participants; purposeful
- training and pilot work
- entering the setting
- data collection
- data analyses
- generate a report of the findings
The Theoretical Foundations of Qualitative research?
It will allow researcher and will:
- Help design our research questions
- determine how we conduct qualitative research
- guide the selection of relevant data
- influence how we interpret the data
- Propose explanations
What are the Key Theories that used in the Qualitative research?
- phenomenological perspective
- symbolic interaction
- critical theory
What is Penomenological perspective?
- “principal architect of modern social science” –> Max weber a social theorist
- Understanding the world through the participant
- The researcher must rid his/ her mind of preconceptions about the participants
What is Symbolic Interection perspective?
- George Herbert Mead –> philosopher and social theorist
- theory suggest: how people create and understand life based on their interactions with others
- gestures =symbols
- examples:
- Language
- Action of people
What is Critical theory?
- Karl Marx - philosopher, sociologist, historian, economist
- Wrote the “Communist Manifesto”
- These theorist study:
# study how the construction of knowledge and the organization of power in society generally can lead to the subjugation or oppression of particular individuals, groups, or perspectives# concerned with equity and justice in relation to issues.# seeks to end oppression
What are some Research Designs?
- case studies
- ethnography
- Phenomenology
- historical analysis
- grounded theory
- content and discourse analysis
Case studies:
- Study that involves the in-depth study of a person,
- Study that is done in a long period of time and can be used to narrow down a very broad field of researcher into one or few examples.
-Data:
# personal interviews
# observations
# direct interaction with participants
# may occur over multiple sessions
- Caution:
# unsystematic and uncontrolled - Benefits:
# description
# evidence
Ethnography:
- the study of specific cultural group to get a clear understanding of their:
# belief systems and practices
# organizational set up
# lifestyle - Most used by anthropology
- reports usually very accurate
- Data:
# personal interviews
# observations
# first-hand testimonies
# immersion into the culture
# done within a specific time frame - To be successful u need to:
# unobtrusive observations
# unobtrusive measures
# potential pitfalls
Unobtrusive observation means
observations that are not influenced by the presence of the investigator
Unobtrusive measures means:
measures taken from the results of behavior not the behavior itself
Potential pitfalls for ethnography:
- Internal and external validity might be compromised
- errors might be on the way compromising results
- researcher should be aware that varying perspectives exist within the setting.
- not appropriate a large population
Phenomonology:
- recognizes that each person has a unique and meaningful experience
- Used to identify participants, experiences, struggles, adaptive strategies/ coping mechanism
- result presented = detailed discussion of the lived experiences of participants
-Data:
# personal interviews
# focus groups discussion
# observations
# done a a specific time
Historical anaylsis:
- Allows researcher to correlate between past an present events and researchers rely on historical evidence.
Data:
# personal interviews with experts about a specific topic
# direct account if events
# archival data
# official documentations
# personal records
# eyewitness records
Content and discourse Analysis:
- Analyzing communication content to identify differences.
-This type of analysis conducted to:
# Identify communication trends and intentions.
# Understand attitudes and behaviors toward messages.
# Highlight international communication differences.
# Detect patterns in communication.
# Assess psychological or emotional states.
- Data:
# analysis or examination of:
- journals
- articles
- audio materials
- visual materials
Grounded Theory:
- The researcher develops a new theory during data collection and analysis to explain how and why a specific phenomenon occurs, addressing participants’ main concerns.
- Data:
# Interviews
# observations/ fieldwork.
# focus group discussion
# study artifacts
What are some types of data collection? DOLANIT
- Narrative (continual recording)
- tallying (frequency counting)
- Interval methods
- duration method
- observing
- listening
- argot –> special language or terminology
what are some type of field notes?
- Jotted notes
- Direct observation notes
- Research interference notes
- Analytic memos
- Personal notes
- Maps/ Diagrams
# spatial map
# social map
# temporal map - Machine recordings
- interview notes
How to sort or categories data?
1st - Transcribe interviews and transfer field notes to another medium
2nd- 2 ways to sort data:
- Keep index cards
- computer programs now are typically used
What is Qualitative Data analysis?
- A way researchers attempt to merge data into a holistic portrayal of phenomenon
6 other types of QDA:
1. Content Analysis
2. Narrative analysis
3. Discourse analysis
4. thematic analysis
5. Grounded theory
6. IPA
Content analysis:
- most common and straightforward QDA
- Evaluate pattern within a piece of content
- words, phrases, or images, collection of newspaper articles
Limitations:
- Time consuming– lots of reading
- loosing important nuances in communication due to involving both qualitative and quantitative aspects of data
- Vey specific timeline- dont take account what happened before and after
Narrative Analysis:
- analyze data through listening stories
- provides insight into their view of the world
- important to understand the way information if being shared or told
Limitations:
1. Sample sizes
2. Time consuming
3. researcher bias can have a strong influence
4. can lead t broad conclusion