Ch 12

Question 1

The primary goal for qualitative sampling is to

Answer 1

figure out who would be an information-rich source for the study.

Question 2

Snowball sampling is

Answer 2

having participants make referrals to people

Question 3

snowball sampling is also known as

Answer 3

network sampling

Question 4

Purposive sampling is

Answer 4

a sampling type adopted after other methods are tried first where the researchers deliberately pick participants to find those that are information rich

Question 5

Maximum variation sampling involves

Answer 5

deliberately selecting cases with a wide range of variation on dimensions of interest.

Question 6

Confirming cases are

Answer 6

cases that strengthen the credibility

Question 7

Disconfirming cases are

Answer 7

new cases that challenge the results.

Question 8

Theoretical sampling is

Answer 8

an evolving process where participants are selected as needed for relevance to the emerging theory discovered.

Question 9

The sample size for a qualitative study is based on

Answer 9

when data saturation occurs

Question 10

Data saturation is when

Answer 10

no new information is achieved, or redundancy begins to occur.

Question 11

Ethnographers start with a wide range of participants and narrow it down to a set of ___

Answer 11

key informants

Question 12

Key informants are

Answer 12

those knowledgeable about the culture and serve as the researcher’s main link to the inside

Question 13

Phenomenology uses a small sample size based on two principles:

Answer 13

All participants must have experienced the phenomenon, and they must be able to articulate what it is like to have lived that experience.

Question 14

___ have a written topic guide that the interviews use to ensure they asks questions about each topic throughout the interview.

Answer 14

Semi structured interviews

Question 15

one limitation of focus group interviews

Answer 15

some people are less forthcoming in a group setting.

Question 16

what is Photoelicitation

Answer 16

uses photos to conduct an interview. Commonly used in ethnographies and participatory action research. Photovoice involves the participants themselves taking pictures and interpreting them.

Question 17

A log or field diary is

Answer 17

a daily record of events and conversations. Field notes are broader and represent the observer’s efforts to record information and to synthesize and understand the data.

Question 18

Which sampling technique involves having participants refer other individuals to be participants?
A) Convenience
B) Purposive
C) Theoretical
D) Snowball

Answer 18

Answer: D, snowball

Snowball sampling is known as network sampling and asks early informants to make referrals.

Question 19

What is the primary factor in determining the sample size in qualitative studies?
A) Data saturation
B) Power analysis
C) Qualitative study technique
D) Sampling technique

Answer 19

Answer: A, data saturation.

Data saturation, or when no new information is provided or when answers are redundant is the primary factor in determining sample size. Power analysis is used to calculate sample size in quantitative studies. Qualitative study techniques lend themselves to certain sample sizes, and the sampling technique can influence the sample, but the sample size for qualitative studies is fluid and is finalized when data saturation is achieved.

Question 20

Which qualitative study type relies on key informants?
A) Phenomenology
B) Grounded Theory
C) Ethnography
D) Observational

Answer 20

Answer: C, ethnography

Ethnography involves immersing oneself in a cultural group and using key informants to help the study progress. Grounded theory and phenomenological studies use sample participants but not key informants. Observational studies are nonexperimental quantitative studies. Observation is a technique of data collection and not a formal study type in qualitative studies.

Question 21

Which type of data collection technique involves asking a broad general question and asking follow-up questions based on participants responses?
A) Participant observation
B) Unstructured interviews
C) Focus group interviews
D) Topic guided interviews

Answer 21

Answer: B, unstructured interviews.

Unstructured interviews do not have a list of topics and are based on the participants responses. The questions become more focused as the participants engages in answering. Participant observation, focus group interviews, and topic guided interviews all use a list of topics to provide a framework for the topics they ask questions about during the interview.

Question 22

Which type of qualitative study type takes the longest time to conduct?
A) Ethnography
B) Phenomenological
C) Grounded Theory
D) Longitudinal

Answer 22

Answer A: Ethnography

Ethnographic studies require getting entrance into an environment, getting to know a group, participating in the group activities, and collects data with a longitudinal time frame. Longitudinal may be used as a way to describe a study, but it refers to how data is collected and is not a study design. The other qualitative study types do not require the same time investment as an ethnographic study.