QUALITATIVE RESEARCH APPROACH What it is (Characteristics), why we need it (Rationale) and designs

Question 1

What is qualitative research?

Answer 1

An approach that seeks to describe and analyze culture and behavior of humans from their point of view.

Emphasizes comprehensive understanding of social settings.

Question 2

What characteristic of qualitative research allows for flexibility?

Answer 2

The research strategy that is flexible, allowing for reduced bias through comfortable interview environments.

This flexibility enables discovery of important topics.

Question 3

How do qualitative and quantitative research complement each other?

Answer 3

Qualitative research identifies factors for surveys; quantitative research generalizes findings to larger samples.

This methodological complementation maximizes strengths and minimizes limitations.

Question 4

What are some characteristics of qualitative research?

Answer 4

• Intense contact with participants
• Context identification
• Emic perspective
• Data in original form
• Flexible instruments
• Qualitative analysis in words

Emphasizes understanding from the inside.

Question 5

What is the emic perspective in qualitative research?

Answer 5

The insiders’ point of view, focusing on how people view their own situation.

In contrast, the etic perspective is the outsiders’ viewpoint.

Question 6

When is qualitative research most appropriate to use?

Answer 6

• Subject matter is unfamiliar
• Exploratory research needed
• For explanatory depth
• When meaning, not frequencies, is sought
• When flexibility is required

Useful for in-depth investigations.

Question 7

What are some uses of qualitative research in health?

Answer 7

• Exploring little-known health issues
• Identifying local health perceptions
• Investigating new health program feasibility
• Designing information and communication materials

Example: Vaccine hesitancy studies.

Question 8

What is the goal of exploratory qualitative research?

Answer 8

To identify salient themes, patterns, or categories of meaning.

Aims to generate meanings for participants.

Question 9

What defines the emancipatory approach in qualitative research?

Answer 9

Creating opportunities and will for social action.

Focuses on how people problematize their circumstances.

Question 10

Who should conduct qualitative research?

Answer 10

A multidisciplinary research team involving local community members.

This helps focus on relevant issues and understand social contexts.

Question 11

What are the main differences between qualitative and quantitative research?

Answer 11

• Qualitative: explores phenomena, open-ended questions
• Quantitative: confirms hypotheses, closed-ended questions

Quantitative methods rely on numerical data, while qualitative methods focus on words.

Question 12

What is the purpose of probing in qualitative research?

Answer 12

To elicit adequate answers and direct interviews effectively.

Probes help reduce irrelevant and ambiguous responses.

Question 13

What is triangulation in qualitative research?

Answer 13

A method to check consistency of findings across different methods, sources, or analysts.

Ensures rigor in qualitative data collection and analysis.

Question 14

What are the types of qualitative research designs?

Answer 14

• Phenomenological design
• Qualitative description
• Grounded theory
• Ethnography
• Narrative research
• Case study research

Each design serves different research purposes.

Question 15

What is a case study?

Answer 15

An in-depth examination of a specific instance or individual within its real-life context.

Commonly used in clinical and health settings.

Question 16

What defines ethnography?

Answer 16

The in-depth study of a cultural or social group to understand their behaviors and beliefs.

Involves participant observation and interaction in the group’s environment.

Question 17

What is phenomenology focused on?

Answer 17

The study of subjective experiences and perceptions of individuals.

Aims to describe the essence of phenomena through participants’ experiences.

Question 18

What characterizes participatory action research (PAR)?

Answer 18

Involves stakeholders in co-creating knowledge and identifying solutions to health system challenges.

Emphasizes empowerment and local innovation.

Question 19

What is qualitative description?

Answer 19

A design that provides straightforward, minimally theorized answers relevant to practitioners.

Useful for understanding the who, what, and where of events.

Question 20

What does narrative research focus on?

Answer 20

Exploring and conceptualizing human experiences through personal stories and narratives.

Aims for in-depth understanding of individual perspectives.

Question 21

What is the primary aim of narrative research?

Answer 21

To enable understanding of the meanings people assign to their experiences and their personal perspectives

Narrative research focuses on the rich discourse of participants’ experiences.

Question 22

What types of methods are used in narrative research?

Answer 22

Methods include:
* Stories
* Interviews
* Life histories
* Journals
* Diaries
* Autobiographies
* Photographs (photo voice)

These methods allow researchers to gather diverse narratives.

Question 23

How do researchers analyze narratives in narrative research?

Answer 23

By identifying recurring themes, patterns, and meanings

This analysis helps to connect individual narratives to larger events.

Question 24

What is the focus of narrative research?

Answer 24

Exploration and description of events and personal accounts that are chronologically connected

It also explores individual identities, cultural beliefs, and historical events.

Question 25

Define grounded theory.

Answer 25

An inductive research design and method aimed at generating new theories through systematic data collection and analysis ## Footnote Grounded theory starts with open-ended questions.

Question 26

What is the purpose of coding in grounded theory?

Answer 26

To identify patterns, categories, and relationships in the data ## Footnote This process involves constant comparison and continues until a comprehensive theory emerges.

Question 27

List the qualitative approaches discussed.

Answer 27

* Narrative * Phenomenology * Grounded Theory * Ethnography * Case Study ## Footnote Each approach has distinct focuses and data collection methods.

Question 28

What is the focus of phenomenology in qualitative research?

Answer 28

Understanding the essence of experiences about a phenomenon ## Footnote This approach emphasizes the subjective experience of individuals.

Question 29

How does ethnography differ from grounded theory?

Answer 29

Ethnography describes and interprets a cultural or social group, while grounded theory develops a theory grounded from data in the field ## Footnote Ethnography often requires extended time in the field.

Question 30

What type of data collection is used in case studies?

Answer 30

Multiple sources including documents, archival records, interviews, and observations ## Footnote Case studies can involve in-depth analysis of a single case or multiple cases.

Question 31

Fill in the blank: The first step in grounded theory analysis is _______.

Answer 31

[Open coding] ## Footnote Open coding is the initial coding pass in grounded theory.

Question 32

What does selective coding aim to achieve?

Answer 32

To define a new theory or modify an existing theory based on research ## Footnote Selective coding is part of the grounded theory analysis process.

Question 33

What is the narrative form of analysis in qualitative research?

Answer 33

A detailed picture of an individual’s life ## Footnote This form captures personal stories and experiences.

Question 34

True or False: Grounded theory is primarily a deductive research method.

Answer 34

False ## Footnote Grounded theory is an inductive research method.

Question 35

What type of interviews are typically used in phenomenological research?

Answer 35

Long interviews with about 10 people ## Footnote This approach seeks to gather deep insights into the essence of experiences.

Question 36

What is the goal of the iterative process in grounded theory?

Answer 36

To develop a comprehensive grounded theory based on recollected data ## Footnote This process involves continual refinement of categories and themes.