Chapter 9 - Interviews, Focus Groups, and Observational Research Flashcards
____ Position leads to _____, which leads to ______ approach.
Ontological positions leads to Epistemological position which leads to methodological approach.
Objectivism - positivism - quantitative
constructivism - interpretivism - qualitative
4 Key Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative
(Non-)Numerical
Variables operationalized prior to research v themes determined after research
mathematical v conceptual data analysis
Data presented in graphs v words
5 Types of Questions that are good for interviews
Exploratory Research (grasp variables and build theory)
Process information (how does public admin work)
Explanatory information (how does this work)
Contextual information
Additional contacts and materials (snowball sampling)
4 Preparations for an Interview
Contextual understanding
Interview framework with probes
Question ordering
Question wording
4 Things Focus Groups are Good For / Questions they’re good at answering
Depth
Complexity
Group Dynamics
Efficiency (multiple subjects instead of one at a time)
7 Preparations for Focus Group Research
Contextual information Structural Framework Clarify Goals Identify characteristics of participants Ensure skilled focus group leader Determine number of groups needed Put like-minded people together
Purposive and Snowball Sampling are best for…
Elites
Small n studies
Small number of representative cases (most typical)
Non-representative cases (most extreme)
4 Ways to Verify Information with Qualitative Research
Interviewer effect
Social desirability
Memory
Salience (how important is this issue to the person)
When choosing between interview or focus group, consider:
Population of study
Sensitivity of information
Individual knowledge vs. group co-production of knowledge
Logistics/feasibility
Observation Research (Definition, pros, and AKA)
Observing and recording actual behaviour
No interview bias or social desirability
AKA Ethnography ir field research
Two Types of Observation Research
- Obtrusive
- overt presence of research is irregular. Everyone knows who each other are and it’s abnormal. - Unobtrusive
- non-participant: might not declare presence
- participant: actually becoming part of the community. This can be (c)overt.
Hawthorne Effect
When subjects under observation alter their behaviour in the presence of a researcher
Five Considerations for Qualitative Research Ethics
Informed consent Right to withdraw Confidentiality (focus groups?) Deception Risk to participants, researchers, others?
3 Different Approaches to Q v Q
theory testing v addressing questions
large v small n
deductive v inductive