Analysis of Qualitative Data Flashcards
Is grounded theory deductive or inductive?
Inductive as it involves deriving a theory from data rather than seeing if data supports a theory
When is grounded theory appropriate?
When there is no existing research in your field of interest
Does grounded theory keep data quantitative or qualitative?
Qualitative
How is a theory developed from research using grounded theory?
- 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
What are the advantages of grounded theory?
Evidence integrated in the theory as theory has come from evidence. Allows richness and detail of qualitative data.
What are the disadvantages of grounded theory?
May begin to force data to fit codes. Another person may find different codes - lacks reliability. Time consuming.
How did Coldwell et al use grounded theory in clinical psychology?
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.
What type of data does grounded theory usually use?
Interview data
How did Fleischmann et al use grounded theory in child psychology?
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.
Is thematic analysis inductive or deductive?
Identification of themes can be inductive where they come from the data or deductive where the themes are pre selected
What is the process of thematic analysis?
- 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
What data does thematic analysis use and how does it keep it?
Uses qualitative and keeps it qualitative
What are the advantages of thematic analysis?
- Valid if data not intepreted
- Qualitative data rich in detail
- Encourages researcher to derive themes from data
- Makes a large amount of data manageable
When is a thematic analysis appropriate?
When there is some research already in the area of interest
What are the disadvantages of thematic analysis?
- Themes may come from researcher rather than data
- Time consuming
- Researchers often do not explain how they arrived at themes
- Requires skill
How did Lim et al use a thematic analysis in clinical psychology?
Looked at work and support as an intervention for those with schizophrenia. Themes included dealing with the change that is required from workers.
How did Fielden, Sillence and Little (2011) use a thematic analysis in child psychology?
They looked at children’s understanding of obesity. Key concepts were ‘fat is bad’, ‘mixed messages’, ‘role models’ ‘knowledge through education’
What is a content analysis?
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.
Is the data from content analyses qualitative or quantitative?
Usually quantitative - often frequency of individual words. Can also gather qualitative data.
What is a conventional/bottom up content analysis?
Content analysed. Coding categories directly derived. Useful where data from previous studies is limited. Allows you to generate ideas for further study.
What are the steps to a conventional/bottom up content analysis?
- Create question
- Gather data
- Immserse in data
- Highlight words that capture key ideas = codes
- Sort codes into categories
- Report data
Is a conventional/bottom up content analysis deductive or inductive?
Inductive
What is a directed/top down content analysis?
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.
Is a directed/top down content analysis inductive or deductive?
Deductive
What the steps to a directed/top down content analysis?
- Use existing research/theories
- Gather data
- If data doesn’t fit codes, new codes may be added
- Sub categories may also be added
What is a summative content analysis?
Identifying the frequency of certain words or phrases and interpreting the content associated with these words. Usually used for books and TV.
What are the steps for a summative content analysis?
- Gather data
- Search for identifying words
- Identify the frequency and source/speaker
- Interpret content associared with use of words
How have content analyses been used in psychology?
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.
What are the strengths of content analyses?
- 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
What are the weaknesses of content analyses?
- 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
