Chapter 10 - Characteristics of Qualitative Research

Question 1

Natural Setting

Answer 1

Collect data where the participants experience the issue under study.

Question 2

Emergent Design

Answer 2

The initial plan for research can’t be tightly prescribed. Flexibility is important.

Question 3

Participant’s Meaning

Answer 3

The focus is on learning the meaning that the participants hold about the research topic. There will be multiple perspectives and diverse views on a topic.
Emphasizes purposeful sampling.

Question 4

Holistic

Answer 4

Develop a complex picture of the issue under study. Report multiple perspectives, identify many factors involved in the situation, and sketch the larger picture that emerges.

Question 5

Researcher as key instrument

Answer 5

Collects the data him/herself. Personal experience and engagement. Requires commitment to extensive time in the field.

Question 6

Reflexivity

Answer 6

The research cannot be separated from the research therefore the study is partly a reflection of the researcher’s biases, values and experiences. They must consider how these may shape their interpretations.

Question 7

What are the two parts of reflexivity?

Answer 7

1. Reflecting on one’s experiences with the phenomenon being explored.
2. Considering how one’s experiences shape the interpretation.

Question 8

Multiple Methods

Answer 8

Typically have multiple sources of data collected from various methods.

Question 9

Inductive Data Analysis

Answer 9

Patterns, categories, and themes are built from the ground up. Data analysis is an ongoing process.

Question 10

Interpretive

Answer 10

Making sense of the data while trying to set aside personal experiences from the research.