Chapter 1: Intro to the Course, What are Qualitative Methods and Why Use Them? Flashcards
What are the commonly occurring features of qualitative methods?
tendency to use relatively unstructured data
involves generating theories that are localized and context specific
tendency to use data-analysis practices that seek out themes in the data
a focus on language and way things are represented in text
interest in perspectives, sense-making, and individual experiences of people
What is qualitative research?
a method of research that produces descriptive (non-numerical) data, such as observations of behavior or personal accounts of experiences
may take several forms
considerable differences with quantitative data
What are myths about qualitative research?
that doing research is purely a matter of learning a few techniques and, hence, is atheoretical
qualitative research is in competition with quantitative research
qualitative research is just about understanding people’s “experiences”
anything goes in qualitative research (i.e., not rigorous)
How was qualitative research developed through history?
qualitative research was used in many important, classical works of psychology
quantitative methods dominate modern psychology but qualitative methods are on the rise
growth in theoretical positions consistent with qualitative approaches
critique of social-cognitive approaches
recognition of the limitations of quantitative methods
influences from outside psychology
What are the key elements of qualitative research?
unstructured data is common
localized/context specific theories over large-scale ones
seeking out themes
focus on language and representation
an interest in perspectives, sense-making, and individual experiences of people
but not all qualitative methods have these elements
Why would a researcher use qualitative methods?
philosophical assumptions
beginning research in a new area or new direction
desire for “richer” data
mixed-method validation
restricted by the situation
