Week 1:Intro to Qualitative Research Flashcards
Summarise Warren-Findlow’s (2013) qualitative research definition
-contributes to theory development
-allows us to experience the marginalised individual’s voices
-helps us understand the thinking + processes towards everyday life events whether small OR life changing
What are some common myths about qualitative research?
-biased and subjective (can be seen in any research)
-lacks rigour (thoroughness and methodical processes)
-Quantitative-centric terms: variables and hypothesis (has neither)
-qualitative is not empirical
Myths: What did Glassner and Hertz (1999) say about qualitative research?
“Take the ordinary events and make them extraordinary, and demonstrate how the extraordinary is routine”
■I.e., qualitative findings are usually invisible unless paying close, psychologically informed attention.
Give 6 advantages of qualitative research
1.Reduce, reuse, recycle
2.Spontaneity (diverging can find useful info especially if it links back)
3.Exploratory, helps with theory formation and development
4.Systematic and transparent (accessible for all to do)
5.Flexible and open to change
6.Simultaneous data collection and analysis (both done concurrently so one can inform the other)
Epistemology: What’s positivism?
Formed by Auguste Comte (1798-1857) with 3 principle attributes:
1. Realist perspective- always an element of prediction and control in variables due to correlation (i.e., X causes Y)
2. Causal knowledge- data is objective and quantifiable
3. Deductive reasoning- starts with a theory then a hypothesis, then observation and confirmation
What led to post-positivism in the 60s?
■Criticisms of quantitative methods such as:
–Bias in experimentation and data analysis
–Reductionism and determinism (can’t reduce complex phenomena down to fit a study)
– Data do not ‘speak for themselves’
What is post-positivism (1960s)?
■Lived experience and context
■Words over numbers
■Inductive reasoning (no preconceptions, look for patterns and then potentially form a theory/hypothesis)
Give 3 examples of qualitative methodological frameworks
1.Phenomenology
2.Ethnography
3.Grounded theory
What’s Phenomenology?
Captures the individual’s interpretation of a particular phenomenon e.g., people’s experiences of cancer NOT cancer itself (can be a case study)
Give a pro and con of phenomenology
P-Interpretive approach remains close to the raw data.
C-Can miss important precursors, consequences and factors associated with the phenomenon itself. (may not be needed however)
What’s Ethnography?
Examines characteristics that define us as being part of a particular cultural group, and how members of that group ascribe meaning to everyday life.
Give a pro and con of ethnography
P-Captures the wider perspective unlike phenomenology.
C-Does not capture the dynamic interactions between individuals within a group (not good at explaining individual differences)
What’s the Grounded Theory?
Generates inductive theory that is fundamentally grounded in the data.
Give a pro and a con of grounded theory
P-Bridges principles of quantitative and qualitative methods.
C-Fails to acknowledge the researcher’s role in constructing and interpreting data. (assumes you can go into it blind which you can’t)
What aspects could be in a quantitative approach?
-survey or standardised interview
-likert scale response options
