Chapter 1 Introduction

Question 1

Learning Objectives

Answer 1

1. 1 Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative methods in research
2. 2 Describe how the triangulation methodology is used in research
3. 3 Analyze the general purpose of qualitative data
4. 4 Examine symbolic interactionism as a school of thought of the social sciences
5. 5 Recognize the significance of the right tools for effective qualitative research

Question 2

General Orientations: Quantitative and Qualitative Research

Answer 2

Quantitative:
Uses numbers and statistics in the collection and analysis of data.

Qualitative:
Uses mainly words and other non-numeric symbols in the collection and analysis of data.

Question 3

Qualitative data collection methods

Answer 3

Interviewing
Focus groups
Ethnography
Unobtrusive methods
Case studies
Action research

Question 4

The Relationship between Theory and Research

Answer 4

One way to conduct social scientific inquiry is through deduction.

Using deduction, one begins with a theory or explanation for something, then goes out into the world and tests it.
A most common approach to social research.
First, start with a theory or know something and try to go further and come up with idea to test it.
Another way to conduct inquiry is by using induction.

Here one begins by gathering or examining data, and then tries to derive a theory or explanation from the data.

Question 5

Use of Triangulation

Answer 5

Point 1 – Research methods
Various methods favored by researchers
Impose perspectives on reality
Canvassing, direct observation, content analysis, and so on
Each method = different line of sight
Point 2 – Triangulation
Originally referred to surveying, navigation, and so forth
First used as metaphor in social sciences
Multiple operationalism, convergent validation
Now, equals multiple-methods approach
Requires fluency in multiple methods
Point 3 – Denzin’s approach
Multiple theoretical perspectives
Multiple analysis techniques
Multiple data-collection procedures
Increases depth of understanding

Question 6

Multiple Lines of Action in Triangulation

Answer 6

Research idea → multiple lines of action
E.g. multiple theories, researchers, data technologies
Lines of action → research findings

Question 7

Qualitative Strategies: Defining an Orientation

Answer 7

We do not conduct research only to amass data
The purpose of research is to
Discover answers to questions through the application of systematic procedures
Research on human beings affects how these persons will be viewed

Question 8

Main Goals of Qualitative

Answer 8

Empathy: seeing through the eyes of the people studied
In-depth description and emphasis on context
Emphasis on process: showing how events and patterns unfold over time
Flexibility and limited structure
Empathy: ability to understand others feeling or thoughts. On their spot , perspective.
Not sympathy, have sorry feeling for others

Looking for detail description ,

Question 9

From a Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

Answer 9

Symbolic interactionism: “meanings as social products formed through activities of people interacting”
Social interactions
Negotiation of definitions
Empathic role-taking
Definitions of situation (eg. Sleep)
Human behavior depends on learning
Human interactions form the central source of data
Participants’ perspectives form theory
Definitions of situation (eg. Sleep)

Point 1 – Symbolic interactionism
One theoretical school of thought
Herbert Blumer; two “meaning” types
Meaning derived from interaction
Point 2 – Interactionist elements
Human interactions = central data source
Participant perspectives, empathy = key issues
Participant definitions of situation/setting
Point 3 – Different schools of thought
Iowa School
Twenty-statement test (TST)
Point 4 – Blumer versus Kuhn
Differences center on symbolic processes operation
Causality
Differences led to differing methodological approaches
Nongeneralizing/idiographic versus deterministic emphasis