Chapter 3

Question 1

quantitative research

Answer 1

Uses instruments that produce quantitative measurements or numerical data
Often involves large n, think 100+ and random sampling
A focus on variables

Question 2

qualitative research

Answer 2

Involves various kinds of non-numerical data, such as texts, images, spoken language
Often involves small n, can be as small as a single case and purposive or theoretical sampling
A focus on cases

Question 3

where does qualitative research take place

Answer 3

go directly into the field, observe conditions on the ground, and ask people involved - in their own words - for their interpretation of what is happening and why

Question 4

what type of method does qualitative research rely on

Answer 4

interpretation
Data are often spoken or written language or images with symbolic content

Question 5

allows for intersubjectivity

Answer 5

Ability to understand concept or idea from someone else’s perspective

Question 6

involves purposive or theoretical sampling

Answer 6

People or cases often chosen for specific purpose or to generate theory and number of people or cases is limited b/c more intensive, time consuming

Question 7

advantages of qualitative research

Answer 7

Broad methodology wide advantages

Theory generating (model building)
Particularly for new or vaguely understood phenomenon

Uncovering causal processes or mechanisms

Rapid reconnaissance
Where time constraints do not permit other approaches

Understanding important individuals or cases, small groups and dynamics, cultures or subcultures

Analyzing visual images or conversations, historical or archival texts

Question 8

existing qualitative data

Answer 8

Archival or written documents
Including testimony, minutes, laws, regulations, strategic plans, creespondants, etc.
Visual media, popular culture, and the internet
Photos, videos, magazines, newspapers, tv, movies, etc.

Question 9

limitations of qualitative research

Answer 9

Not good for producing precise measurements of variables, estimating characteristics of a large population, calculating the magnitude of relationships between variables, or providing statistical evidence of a cause-effect relationship

Question 10

unstructured interviews

Answer 10

Have no set of predetermined questions
Interviewing takes place on many occasions over time (ethnography)
Can seem like ordinary conversation, but has important differences

Question 11

semi structured interviews

Answer 11

Follow interview guide
Set of Open ended questions, accompanied by probes that guide discussion
More in-depth interviews follow a semi structured interview guide

Question 12

focus groups

Answer 12

Small group discussions led by a moderator
Group interview of 6-12 people seated around a table
Use a moderator who asks questions and guides discussion

Question 13

why use focus groups

Answer 13

Include more people at a time
Participants cue each other
Generalizability can be observed
Mimics social process of thinking about issues

Question 14

qualitative observation

Answer 14

Directly observing a setting or behavior and taking notes of recording the observations using still or video

Question 15

participant observation

Answer 15

Joining a setting or activity in order to observe it

Question 16

ethnography

Answer 16

School of qualitative methods that use participant observation to better understand other societies and cultures

Question 17

complete participant

Answer 17

Researcher takes on central role in setting

Question 18

participant as observer

Answer 18

Researcher spends significant time in setting joining in important activities and events, but does not assume actual role

Question 19

observer s participant

Answer 19

Researcher visits setting only on one or few occasions to conduct interviews with people and make observations

Question 20

complete observer

Answer 20

Researcher attempts to remain unobtrusive and does not interview or engage with people in setting

Question 21

case study

Answer 21

Focus on one case or just a few complex cases
Typically a larger aggregate - an organization, a neighborhood, or a nation state

Question 22

paradigmatic case study

Answer 22

Selects a prototypical case that offers the greatest generalizability

Question 23

extreme case study

Answer 23

Aims to study a particularly good or bad example

Question 24

critical case study

Answer 24

Selects a case that has a unique importance

Question 25

competitive case study

Answer 25

Two or more cases used to ofer border perspective on how individuals and groups function
Allows researchers to gauge in comparisons similarities and differences in behavior
Can use cross-case analysis in addition to within-case analysis to uncover factores or explanations

Question 26

qualitative data analysis

Answer 26

Steps in qualitative data analysis
Preparing and organizing the data
Reducing and summarizing the data, through coding
Presenting data, in narrative form, figures and/or tables
Integration of analysis and data gathering
In qualitative research, the process of analyzing data often occurs simultaneously with collecting data

Question 27

coding

Answer 27

Tagging text or other qualitative data using a system of categories (a coding scheme)
Enable sorting, counting and organizing data

Question 28

interceder reliability

Answer 28

Refers to consistency with which codes are applies to the text as a part of the process of coding and content analysis

Question 29

triangulation

Answer 29

Describes how multiple sources of evidence from both qualitative and quantitative methods can converge a finding or confirm a theory
Uses both quantitative and qualitative methods
Key takeaway - if qual and quant researchers are coming to the same conclusions in their own studies it is probably a pretty darn solid theory

Question 30

presenting qualitative data

Answer 30

Often hard to disguise individual identities
“Blinding” data - dont release information about org. Where they work, school, any identifiable characteristics

Question 31

obtaining informed consent

Answer 31

Providing a formal written explanation of the study and obtaining participants’ signatures can be difficult

Question 32

uncovering sensitive information

Answer 32

Often less predictable than in quantitative research
Researcher should plan for such events and be prepared to give social service/ medical referrals if necessary