Chapter 4 - Qualitative Research

Question 1

What is qualitative research?

Answer 1

• Exploring and explaining human experiences and the meanings ascribed to those experiences – subjective experiences.
• Develop deep understanding of phenomena that occur in their natural settings – the real world
• It is more concerned with why phenomena occur (qualifying) rather than counting or measuring (quantifying).
• Increasingly used to inform quantitative research by providing more depth and meaning

Question 2

Qualitative research - Sample

Answer 2

• Small samples are more often used to enable an in-depth exploration.
• Saturation refers to the idea that no new information /data is generated from the participants in a study → the sample is sufficient in size.

Question 3

Qualitative research - Data Collection

Answer 3

Variety of data collection methods are used e.g. interviews, focus groups, document analysis.

Question 4

What is the Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research - Focus on Qualitative Research

Answer 4

• Exploration of a specific area.
• Collects data via interviews, observations, or documents.
• Generates ideas from the data – Inductive reasoning: specific observations → general conclusions.
• Strength – Validity or closeness to the truth, depth rather than surface level.

Question 5

What is the Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research - Focus on Quantitative Research

Answer 5

• Begins with an idea expressed as a hypothesis.
• Measurements to generate data – numbers, an average view.
• Deduction leads to the drawing of conclusions: general ideas → specific conclusions.
• Strength – Reliability or repeatability of results, consistently time after time.

Question 6

State the common purpose of Qualitative and Quantitative Research?

Answer 6

Qualitative:
- Discover Ideas
Quantitative:
- Test hypotheses or research questions

Question 7

State the approach of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Answer 7

Qualitative:
- Observe and interpret
Quantitative:
- Measure and test

Question 8

State the data collection of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Answer 8

Qualitative:
- Unstructured and free form
Quantitative:
- Structured response and categories provided

Question 9

State the reasoning of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Answer 9

Qualitative:
- Inductive
Quantitative:
- Deductive

Question 10

State the researcher independence of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Answer 10

Qualitative:
- Researcher is involved and results are subjective
Quantitative:
- Researcher uninvolved and results are objective

Question 11

State the strength of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Answer 11

Qualitative:
- Validity
Quantitative:
- Reliability

Question 12

State the samples of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Answer 12

Qualitative:
- Small and in natural settings
Quantitative:
- Large to produce generaliasable results

Question 13

State the question of Qualitative and Quantitative Research.

Answer 13

Qualitative:
- What is?
Quantitative:
- How many?

Question 14

What are the three approach to increase validity?

Answer 14

Triangulation:
- Confidence
- Using more than one method in combination to collect data and explain findings
- e.g. interviews and observations.
Reflexivity:
- Critical reflection
- Researchers examine how their own beliefs, assumptions, and perspectives might have an influence on the research process.
Inter-rater reliability:
- Consistency
- The use of more than one researcher to independently analyse the data and achieve consistent findings.

Question 15

What are the different qualitative methodologies?​

Answer 15

• Ethnography (passive observation)
• Ethnography (participant observation)
• Phenomenology
• Case Studies
• Grounded theory
• Semi-structured interview
• Unstructured/ Narrative Interview
• Focus Groups
• Discourse Analysis

Question 16

How will you evaluate papers that describe qualitative research?​

Answer 16

1. Did the paper describe an important clinical problem addressed via a clearly formulated question?
2. Was a qualitative approach appropriate?
3. How were (a) the setting and (b) the subjects selected?
4. What was the researcher’s perspective, and has this been taken into account?
5. What methods did the researcher use for collecting data — and are these described in enough detail?
6. What methods did the researcher use to analyse the data — and what quality control measures were implemented?
7. Are the results credible and, if so, are they clinically important?
8. What conclusions were drawn, and are they justified by the results?
9. Are the findings of the study transferable to other settings?