ARM - extra qualitative

Question 1

• Realism (ontological): (Q&A)

Answer 1

there is a world out there that exists independent of the mind – AND – our understanding of that world can be true/absolute;

Question 2

• Positivism (epistemological): (Q&A)

Answer 2

whatever exists can and should be verified through empirical observation (experiments, measurements, etc).

Question 3

• Anti-realism (ontological) (Q&A)

Answer 3

the world does not exist independent of our minds – and our understanding of that world is never absolute;

Question 4

• Relativism (epistemological) (Q&A)

Answer 4

we construct an understanding of the world through specific conceptual schemes and principles.

Question 5

application spotting (Q&A)

Answer 5

a shortage of a particular theory or perspective in a specific area of research (complementing)

Question 6

quasi problematization (Q&A)

Answer 6

challenging the assumptions underlying existing theory by smuggling in a prefabricated, ready-made alternative to

Question 7

problematization (Q&A)

Answer 7

challenging the assumptions underlying existing theory

Question 7

confusion spotting (Q&A)

Answer 7

competing explanations in the literature

Question 8

neglect spotting (Q&A)

Answer 8

pointing towards an overlooked or under researched area, or to lack of empirical support

Question 9

Sensitizing concepts: (Q&A)

Answer 9

‘are concepts that suggest directions along which to look’ (Blumer, 1954). They sensitize the researcher to certain phenomena worth studying and certain (but not definite) explanations of such phenomena….. As such, they provide a sense of where to look and how to look (Gengler -> CHC -> Kelly Reed Hospital -> how parents mobilized resources to access cutting-edge care)

Question 9

Theory-field-theory: (Q&A)

Answer 9

a way of saying that ethnographers (a) enter a field-study with specific theoretical concepts at the back of their minds that help interpretation, whilst (b) simultaneously stay open to the nuances and specific insights these sites offer; and (c) use such specific insights to contribute to further theory development
E.g., Gengler and the conceptual framework of CHC used as a lens. Her contribution to that framework: micro advantages through care captaining and care entrusting behavior.

Question 9

Abduction (Q&A)

Answer 9

is a more systematic explanation and approach towards this theory-field-theory process in the social sciences. It is defined as ‘an ongoing reflection on data and its positioning against different theories such that data can contribute to and develop further the chosen research questions’ (Conaty 2021). The starting point is often a surprising event or unanticipated observation (Tavory and Timmermans 2012)
‘Abductive analysis, consequently, rests for a large part on the scope and sophistication of the theoretical background a researcher brings to research. Surprising observations are strategic in the sense that they depend on a theoretically sensitized observer who recognizes their potential relevance’ (Tavory and Timmermans 2012)