Analysis of Qualitative Data

Question 1

Is grounded theory deductive or inductive?

Answer 1

Inductive as it involves deriving a theory from data rather than seeing if data supports a theory

Question 2

When is grounded theory appropriate?

Answer 2

When there is no existing research in your field of interest

Question 3

Does grounded theory keep data quantitative or qualitative?

Answer 3

Qualitative

Question 4

How is a theory developed from research using grounded theory?

Answer 4

• Immerse self in data, read and reread
• Code data - breif labels
• Note patterns
• Make codes more specific
• Memo codes - add comments
• Review more material to ammend it after testing on new ppts

Question 5

What are the advantages of grounded theory?

Answer 5

Evidence integrated in the theory as theory has come from evidence. Allows richness and detail of qualitative data.

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of grounded theory?

Answer 6

May begin to force data to fit codes. Another person may find different codes - lacks reliability. Time consuming.

Question 7

How did Coldwell et al use grounded theory in clinical psychology?

Answer 7

Looked at how people with sz might contribute to their family. Interviewed 6 people and said that those with psychosis do contribute positively to their family.

Question 8

What type of data does grounded theory usually use?

Answer 8

Interview data

Question 9

How did Fleischmann et al use grounded theory in child psychology?

Answer 9

33 websites published by parents with autistic children examined. Found that after diagnosis, parents prepared themselves for action. Parents viewed their child positively, prepared to help - internet helped them cope.

Question 10

Is thematic analysis inductive or deductive?

Answer 10

Identification of themes can be inductive where they come from the data or deductive where the themes are pre selected

Question 11

What is the process of thematic analysis?

Answer 11

• Researcher immerses themself in the data
• Either imposes preselected themes or derives themes
• Collates all data relevent to each theme
• Reflects on whether themes tell a convincing story
• Analytic narrative written up

Question 12

What data does thematic analysis use and how does it keep it?

Answer 12

Uses qualitative and keeps it qualitative

Question 13

What are the advantages of thematic analysis?

Answer 13

• Valid if data not intepreted
• Qualitative data rich in detail
• Encourages researcher to derive themes from data
• Makes a large amount of data manageable

Question 14

When is a thematic analysis appropriate?

Answer 14

When there is some research already in the area of interest

Question 15

What are the disadvantages of thematic analysis?

Answer 15

• Themes may come from researcher rather than data
• Time consuming
• Researchers often do not explain how they arrived at themes
• Requires skill

Question 16

How did Lim et al use a thematic analysis in clinical psychology?

Answer 16

Looked at work and support as an intervention for those with schizophrenia. Themes included dealing with the change that is required from workers.

Question 17

How did Fielden, Sillence and Little (2011) use a thematic analysis in child psychology?

Answer 17

They looked at children’s understanding of obesity. Key concepts were ‘fat is bad’, ‘mixed messages’, ‘role models’ ‘knowledge through education’

Question 18

What is a content analysis?

Answer 18

An observation study in which behaviour is indirectly observed in the form of written or verbal material. They come from communications that are produced by others.

Question 19

Is the data from content analyses qualitative or quantitative?

Answer 19

Usually quantitative - often frequency of individual words. Can also gather qualitative data.

Question 20

What is a conventional/bottom up content analysis?

Answer 20

Content analysed. Coding categories directly derived. Useful where data from previous studies is limited. Allows you to generate ideas for further study.

Question 21

What are the steps to a conventional/bottom up content analysis?

Answer 21

• Create question
• Gather data
• Immserse in data
• Highlight words that capture key ideas = codes
• Sort codes into categories
• Report data

Question 22

Is a conventional/bottom up content analysis deductive or inductive?

Answer 22

Inductive

Question 23

What is a directed/top down content analysis?

Answer 23

Starts with a theory or relveant eesearch findings as guidance for intial codes. Create codes first then seek them in data. Useful for extending knowledge on existing topic.

Question 24

Is a directed/top down content analysis inductive or deductive?

Answer 24

Deductive

Question 25

What the steps to a directed/top down content analysis?

Answer 25

• Use existing research/theories
• Gather data
• If data doesn’t fit codes, new codes may be added
• Sub categories may also be added

Question 26

What is a summative content analysis?

Answer 26

Identifying the frequency of certain words or phrases and interpreting the content associated with these words. Usually used for books and TV.

Question 27

What are the steps for a summative content analysis?

Answer 27

• Gather data
• Search for identifying words
• Identify the frequency and source/speaker
• Interpret content associared with use of words

Question 28

How have content analyses been used in psychology?

Answer 28

Cumberbatch and Gauntlett (2005) used a CA to see whether smoking, alcohol and drug abuse featured in TV programmes watched by 10-15 yr olds.

Question 29

What are the strengths of content analyses?

Answer 29

• High ecological validity as they come from real media
• Inter rater reliability can be obtained if multiple coders and if they are consistent with their application
• Quantitative - can do stats tests (summative)
• Bottom up - doesn’t impose previous ideas

Question 30

What are the weaknesses of content analyses?

Answer 30

• Can be open to researcher bias as relies on interpretation
• Observed trends may not reflect reality
• Reductionist - flattens topics to codes, reduces complexity
• Descriptive - doesn’t explain why
• Bottom up doesn’t create theory, less useful that GT