Chapter 12 Flashcards
Quantitative research methods
Research methods based on quantifiable data; are associated with the natural-science approach based on the hypothetico-deductive model.
Illusory correlations
Perception of a correlation between events for which no independent evidence can be found.
Confounding variable
Variable that was not taken into account in the study and that may be the origin of the effect observed.
Quantitative imperative
A bias only to find measurable topics interesting because quantitative research methods require numerical data.
Qualitative research methods
Research methods based on understanding phenomena in their historical socio-cultural context; are associated with the hermeneutic approach based on understanding the meaning of a situation.
Ideographic approach
The conclusions of a study stay limited to the phenomenon under study.
Nomothetic approach
A study is run in search of universal principles that exceed the confines of the study.
Bracketing
Requirement in qualitative research to look at a phenomenon with an open mind and to free oneself from preconceptions.
Semi-structured interview
Interview in which each interviewee gets a small set of core questions, but for the rest of the time is encouraged to speak freely; achieved by making use of open-ended, non-directive questions.
Focus group
Technique in which a group of participants freely discuss a limited set of questions.
Grounded theory
Qualitative research method that tries to understand what is going on in a particular situation and which, on the basis of qualitative analysis and induction, tries to come to a theoretical insight grounded in the data / systematic analysis to build a theory about a specific problem.
Interpretative phenomenological analysis
Qualitative research method in psychology that tries to understand how a phenomenon is experienced by the people involved.
Discourse analysis
Qualitative research method that aims to discover how social relations between people are determined by the language they use.
What are the 5 assumptions underlying quantitative research methods?
- There is an outside reality that can be discovered.
- The main aim of scientific research is to find universal causal relationships.
- Trying to avoid confounds and sources of noise.
- Suspicion about the researcher’s input.
- Progress through falsification.
Strengths of quantitative research methods (4)
- Lends itself well for statistical analyses of large datasets.
- Can produce precise predictions that can be tested.
- Makes comparison (between groups or subjects) possible/easier.
- Easier to investigate confounds and validity threats.
Weaknesses of quantitative research method (4)
- Little interest in the perception of participants
- Research limited by what is measurable (quantitative imperative)
- Better suited to testing general theories than to finding solutions for specific situations
- If you don’t have a well-developed theory yet, quantitative methods aren’t as helpful; they are not very suitable for generating theories
What are the three broad categories of quantitative research method and what are their functions?
- Descriptive research: The focus is on observation, a careful charting of the situation. The data are gathered in numerical form.
- Relational research: The way to find out whether two variables are related.
- Experimental research: To draw firm conclusions about cause and effect.
What are the two problems involved in the intuitive detection of correlations by humans?
- The failure to detect genuine correlations. In particular negative correlations seem to be difficult to perceive.
- People tend to perceive correlations that do not exist (illusory correlations).
Assumptions underlying qualitative research methods (6)
- In psychology there is little or no evidence for a reality outside people’s perception and experience
- Attempts to control the situation make the setting artificial and no longer meaningful
- Researchers must immerse themselves in the situation so that they can understand the meaning of the situation
- Qualitative research is in the first place meant to understand specific situations (ideographic), not to come to general rules (nomothetic)
- Induction is more important than deduction; the researcher must approach the situation open-mindedly and accept input from the participants.
- Qualitative research must remain evidence-based, starting from a careful and verifiable collection of data.
Qualitative researchers acknowledge that the approach they promote entails the danger of the conclusions being influenced by the researcher, but argue that: (3)
- This danger is offset by the expected gains due to an understanding of the situation.
- All conclusions, even those reached on the basis of quantitative research and falsification tests, are relative (because they depend on the prevailing paradigm).
- The most obvious biases can be avoided by being aware of them and by doing the analysis in such a way that it can be repeated and checked by others.
Thematic analysis
A qualitative research method for systematically identifying, organizing, and offering insight into patterns of meanings (themes) across a data set.
Phases of TA
- Becoming familiar with the data.
- Generating initial codes.
- Searching for themes.
- Reviewing themes (quality control).
- Defining and naming themes.
- Writing the report.
What is the four-point approach that is used when deciding upon the participant sample? And what techniques are used here?
- Defining the sample criteria by way of inclusion and exclusion criteria;
- Deciding upon the sample size;
- Selecting a sampling strategy, and
- Sample sourcing, which includes matters of advertising, incentivizing, avoidance of bias, and ethical concerns pertaining to informed consent.
Two techniques used here are semi-structured interview and focus group.
Limitations of grounded theory (3)
- Grounded theory largely assumed the existence of an objective reality that was there to be discovered.
- Grounded theory stressed the importance of inductive reasoning (from data to theory) and verification (up to saturation point). Related to positivism which was completely overthrown by the 20th century philosophy of science.
- Grounded theory did not take into account the fact that the data provided by the participants actually comprised their perceptions and interpretations of what was happening.
