Qualitative Methods

Question 1

qualitative research

Answer 1

collection and analysis of text based data

Question 2

primary data

Answer 2

interviews, focus groups, open ended survey questions

Question 3

secondary data

Answer 3

newspaper articles, blogs, online forums, social media

Question 4

psychology has been heavily influenced by…

Answer 4

behaviorism and cognitive experimentalism

Question 5

Qualitative research questions what assumption

Answer 5

the assumption that there is an objective and true conception of reality

Question 6

Qualitative research shows that

Answer 6

there are multiple versions of reality even for the same person

Question 7

qualitative research focuses on

Answer 7

the experience, construction, and interpretation of reality

Question 8

Qualitative researchers tend to be concerned with

Answer 8

meaning. That is, they are interested in how people make sense of the world and how they experience events. They aim to understand ‘what it is like’ to experience particular conditions and how people manage certain situations Willig (2013)

Question 9

Researchers who use qualitative methods seek

Answer 9

a deeper truth. They aim to study things in their natural setting, attempting to make sense of, or interpret phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them Greenhalgh & Taylor (1997)

Question 10

Central goal of qualitative research

Answer 10

administer a conversation with someone to gather data

Question 11

Unexplored and sensitive topics may benefit

Answer 11

from listening to people affected

Question 12

Characteristics of Qualitative research

Answer 12

• words
  -seeks to understand and interpret in terms of local meanings
• narrow, but rich data
• tends to be theory generating
• seeks patterns. but can explore divergent narratives
• acknowledges subjectivity

Question 13

Characteristics of Quantitative research

Answer 13

• numbers
• Seeks to identify relationships that generalize to a wider population
  -Tends to be theory-testing
  -Seeks consensus (i.e., what people do on average)
• objective

Question 14

Qualitative methodologies and methods

Answer 14

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)
Grounded Theory
Narrative research
Conversation analysis
Discourse analysis
Focus groups
Thematic analysis

Question 15

Methods of data collection

Answer 15

interviews and focus groups

Question 16

aim in using interviews in research

Answer 16

Professional conversation.
Participants to talk about their experiences and perspectives, to capture their language & concepts on a topic.
To explore views, experiences, beliefs, perceptions, motivations on specific matters.
Good method when people have a personal stake in the matter.

Question 17

Advantages of using interviews in research

Answer 17

Rich & detailed data about personal experiences and/or perspectives
Flexible – can probe & ask unplanned questions
Smaller samples
Ideal for sensitive issues
Accessible – can be used to collect data from vulnerable populations

Question 18

Disadvantages of using interviews in research

Answer 18

Time consuming for researchers & participants
Lack of breadth due to small samples
Lack of anonymity
* Some people more comfortable disclosing sensitive info in group setting or anonymous survey
Not always empowering for participants – less control compared to qualitative surveys

Question 19

structured interviews

Answer 19

questions & response categories predetermined by researcher

Question 20

unstructured interviews

Answer 20

list of topics to discuss with participant; interview strongly participant-led

Question 21

Semi structured interviews

Answer 21

Researcher has a list of questions, but scope for participants to discuss issues important to them & not anticipated by researcher

Question 22

Most widely used interview method is

Answer 22

semi-structured interview

Question 23

Semi structured interview methodologies

Answer 23

-open ended questions
- interview is flexible and responsive to participant
- usually recorded and transcribed

Question 24

interview schedule

Answer 24

key to building trust and rapport with your participants (e.g., opening and closing questions).

Question 25

order of questions

Answer 25

organize into topics that flow logically and avoid asking sensitive topics immediately

Question 26

wording of questions

Answer 26

Open questions, which avoid yes/no answers. Non-leading questions Singular questions are better; questions that ask about multiple things can be confusing.

Question 27

Focus groups

Answer 27

group discussion focused on a particular topic based on a series of questions, with 6-8 participants and researcher acts as moderator

Question 28

participants may be...

Answer 28

pre existing groups such as colleagues or brought together specifically for the research based on shared experiences/characteristics

Question 29

focus groups are not always

Answer 29

just group discussion, responses to stimuli or group activities

Question 30

advantages of focus groups

Answer 30

Flexibility for exploring unanticipated issues. Access to everyday ways of talking about topics (& meaning-making). Can facilitate personal disclosure. Enables people to respond to, challenge, disagree with, add to each other, providing rich data

Question 31

disadvantages of focus groups

Answer 31

Logistically difficult – recruit & organise. Easy to get off-topic & can be difficult to manage. Ethical issues – whole group knows ‘who said what’ (privacy & confidentiality issues). Transcription can be time-consuming.

Question 32

Mixed methods

Answer 32

Combination of qualitative and quantitative methods in the design of a research study: Qualitative study (i.e., focus groups, interviews) to inform design of a questionnaire. Questionnaire, followed by interview or focus group with small sample of participants - further investigation.

Question 33

Convenience sample

Answer 33

Selection of most accessible participants. Identified as the least rigorous and justifiable sampling method.

Question 34

Purposive sample

Answer 34

Aim – generate insight and in-depth understanding of the topic of interest. Most common method

Question 35

Theoretical sampling

Answer 35

Data analysis and theory development shapes the selection of subsequent participants to elaborate the developing theory.

Question 36

Qualitative research tends to use ___ sample sizes than quantitative research

Answer 36

smaller

Question 37

There is ___ to generate the required sample size

Answer 37

no rule

Question 38

Sample size depends on

Answer 38

purpose of the inquiry, what will be useful, what will have credibility what can be done with available time and resources

Question 39

data saturation

Answer 39

refers to the point at which no new information or themes are observed in the data