qualitative research methods Flashcards
what does ignoring censoring lead to?
- overestimating survival probability
- create bias - gets worse the more censoring
When should we use qualitative research methods?
- when measuring meanings, experiences and views
- identifying socioeconomic factors, social , gender, ethnicity, religion
qualitative research is concerned with developing explanations for?
- why do people behave how they do
- opinions and attitudes
- how people are affected by an event
- how and why cultures have developed in the way that they have
- differences among social groups
are qualitative methods more flexible
yes
4 qualitative research steps
- design plan collect
- code material and identify the themes
- analyze material
- KTE - summarize and disseminate results
What is a ethnography?
- studies patterns of behaviour, language and actions of cultural group in natural setting over a prolonged period of time
what is narrative research?
combines views from participant’s life
what is phenomenology?
describes the lived experiences of individuals about a phenomenon
what is grounded theory?
using multiple stages of data collection to discover patterns and new theories
what are case studies
in depth analysis of a case (program, event, indvdiual group
what is the most used framework for analyzing qualitative data?
grounded theory
two central features of grounded theory
- development of theory from the data
- iterative/recursive approach
what is theoretical saturation
point at which there is nothing to be gained by collection of new information
- data collection continues up until this point
4 types of qualitative data collection
- focus group discussions
- interviews
- observations
- visual methods
what is a focus group
- group selected by researchers to discuss and comment on from personal experience the topic of the researcher
characteristics of a focus group
- they rely on interactions of the group
- 6-12 ppl
- 1-2 hours
- purposively selected groups
- there may be between-group heterogeneity
- within the group participants should be homogenous
when to use focus groups
- exploratory or preliminary studies
- uncover factors relating to complex behaviours
- when you want ideas to emerge from the group
when to not use focus groups
- Detailed probing of behaviour, attitudes, or needs is required
- The subject matter under discussion is confidential or emotionally charged
- Certain strong, socially acceptable norms exist and the need to conform in a group discussion may influence response
pros of focus groups
- large sample size
- time and cost efficient
- large amounts of data obtained
- participants feel secure in group
cons of focus groups
- Group think
- Summarization and interpretation may be challenging
- Subjective responses
- Groups can vary considerably
- Groups can be difficult to assemble
what does the moderator do in focus groups
- facilitate and ask questions
- take notes
- explain purpose and guide the discussion
researchers job in interviews
Researchers should pose questions in a neutral manner. They should not lead participants or express approval or disapproval of what participants say.
3 types of interviews
- Unstructured: “participant tells their story”
- Semi-structured: specific questions asked, but interviewers are flexible to explore responses
- Structured: questions and order predetermined
pros of interviews
Flexible and responsive method
* Can explore additional research questions and issues as they arise
* Ability to gain rich and descriptive data
* Most participants will accept an interview
* Ability of follow-up research participants for clarification or further exploration if needed
* Decreased distractions
