Chapters 3 & 4: Research Ethics, Quality in Qualitative Research

Question 1

What are the principles of research ethics?

Answer 1

protection from harm (physical and psychological)
respect for individual dignity
right to self-determination
right to privacy
protection of confidentiality

Question 2

What is honesty and integrity in the research process?

Answer 2

declare potential conflicts of interest at the point where ethical approach is sought, and detail how these are to be avoided

avoid any fabrication or dishonest of data or presentation of findings

acknowledge fully and fairly the contribution of all those involved in the research project

Question 3

Rigour

Answer 3

the practice of doing something with great care, thoroughly and systematically to ensure the process and outcome is of a high quality

has the research been carried out in a systematic manner?

Question 4

Validity

Answer 4

in the context of qualitative research, this refers to the credibility or believability of the research - are the findings trustworthy

Question 5

Reflexivity

Answer 5

what was the relationship between the researcher and the research they have carried out?

Question 6

Transparency and Audit Trail

Answer 6

how clear is the research process?

Question 7

Coherence

Answer 7

is there a clear thread running through the research that connects it all together?

Question 8

Value/Contribution of the Research

Answer 8

is this research useful and applicable to the context in which it was conducted

Question 9

Transparency

Answer 9

means providing as clearly as possible the information needed for the reader to make their own assessment of your work

it is closely linked to the provision of audit trails in which the information of data, from its raw state to its final interpretation, is explicitly documented

Question 10

What is rigour in qualitative research?

Answer 10

the practice of doing something with great care, thoroughly and systematically to ensure the process and outcome is of a high quality

Question 11

What is validity in qualitative research?

Answer 11

in the context of qualitative research, this refers to the credibility or believability of the research - are the findings trustworthy

Question 12

What are guidelines for validity?

Answer 12

different methodologies may have different guidelines for validity

considerations regarding validity may be informed by epistemological

Question 13

What are some guidelines for validity that some methodologies have?

Answer 13

transparency of analytic claims
validation through “next turn”
deviant case analysis
questions about the institutional character of interaction
the generalizability of finding
translating into quantitative methods

Question 14

What is the transparence of analytic claims?

Answer 14

apparent validity: once you read the claim, you are convinced that they are transparently true

very similar to face validity

is the question doing what it’s supposed to?

Question 15

What is validation through “next turn”?

Answer 15

expressions are understood within the context of an interaction

in conversations, does the next person’s response validate the researcher’s interpretation?

Question 16

What is deviant case analysis?

Answer 16

some participant’s behaviors may be a departure from the expected course of events… Who are these people?

Question 17

What are three ways to deal with deviant cases?

Answer 17

can be understood within the intended framework (“exceptions prove the rule”)

modify framework

may need to be addressed individually

Question 18

What is the validity of claims concerning the institutional context?

Answer 18

our behaviors and attitudes (to some extent) is informed by our roles/institutions

an interview is an institutional context itself

individuals may have multiple “identities” and even institutional identities may be multifaceted

Question 19

What are generalizability of findings?

Answer 19

can we generalize findings to different samples, events, situations, and past studies

generalizability will be based on the research question

studies that may seem to be totally different may be able to inform generalizability

Question 20

What is quantification?

Answer 20

sometimes we may be able to quantify our data to further validate our interpretations

requires specific coding

Question 21

What is reflexivity?

Answer 21

reflecting upon how their own views, attitudes and experiences have impacted upon the research

personal reflexivity
epistemological reflexivity

less distance (vs. quantitative) requires the research to take a step back and reflect: all researchers should be doing this

write in first person

reflexive journal

transparency: to the degree that you can, confidentiality and space limits

Question 22

What is coherence?

Answer 22

is the study internally, consistent, comprehensive, and persuasive as a whole?

are you consistent with your theoretical approach, chosen method, and your interpretations and are these suitable for your research question?

is consistent with previous/related findings?

using the “golden thread”

Question 23

What are questions to ask yourself regarding rigor?

Answer 23

does my study make a contribution to the area of investigation?
does it do this in a way that shows rigour and coherence?
are the processes and decisions involved clear?
is my role in the study made explicit?
am I confident that I have done all that I can make this a piece of work of the highest possible quality?

Question 24

What is ethics in psychological research?

Answer 24

early studies in psychology (and other sciences) were not always ethical: some more than others

several countries require institutions to develop committees/boards for ethical approval

ethical principles for quantitative and qualitative studies share a lot of overlap but qualitative research may provide unique challenges

Question 25

What are the APA’s five general principles for ethics?

Answer 25

beneficence and nonmaleficence
fidelity and responsibility
integrity
justice
respect for people’s rights and dignity

Question 26

What is informed consent?

Answer 26

participants should know what the study is about, their role, and how the data will be handled, info about withdrawing

some exceptions exist

may be needed throughout process

lay out various things they need to consent to

“off the records” remarks

Question 27

What is confidentiality?

Answer 27

the condition in which the researcher knows the identity of a research subject, but takes steps to protect that identity from being discovered by others

Question 28

What is anonymity?

Answer 28

the condition in which the identity of individual subjects is not known to researchers

Question 29

Why are confidentiality and anonymity important?

Answer 29

rights to keep information confidential/anonymous is necessary

qualitative research may need to go further to ensure confidentiality/anonymity than quantitative research

unique details may get around any attempts at confidentiality/anonymity

not just the participant but those who may come up during study

Question 30

What is withdrawal of data?

Answer 30

participants have a right to request their data, in part or in whole, not be used

cannot penalize or punish participants request not to use data

clear details on the process and any possible deadlines to withdraw data must be provide

Question 31

What is assessing risk of harm?

Answer 31

researchers must consider the harm of the participating in their study: physical and psychological

may need to exclude potential participants from participating

additional considerations for specific groups

harm =/= distress

check in time to time

may address harm/distress in several forms: halting a study may actually be problematic

Question 32

What is researcher safety?

Answer 32

the researcher’s safety must also be considered

extraordinary or controversial subjects may be interesting but may also pose a risk to the researcher

Question 33

What are several ways to help ensure researcher safety?

Answer 33

choose an official setting
have someone with you
let someone know where you are and when to expect you to return
periodically communicate with someone
choose a quiet but public space
use only professional contact information

Question 34

What is deception?

Answer 34

hotly debated topic in psychological research

less of an issue in qualitative research

partially informed consent may be necessary but must be justified and then resolved as soon as possible via debriefing

Question 35

What is honesty and integrity in the research process?

Answer 35

full disclosure is crucial to the academic process

fabricating/manipulating data is out of the question: includes neglecting key information that runs counter to the rest of the report

those with significant contributions should be acknowledged in some way

Question 36

What is the role and relationships between researcher and participant?

Answer 36

qualitative studies may pose a unique situation that can easily shift the researcher-participant relationship

may need to set up clear boundaries: know your role, expertise, and limitations

good rapport may be necessary but needs to be contextualized

having a specific deadline for end of relationship may help clear things up

Question 37

What is online data?

Answer 37

online data is easy to get but requires some unique considerations

consent to use online information: just because you have access to “public” posts, doesn’t mean it is ethical to use

confidentiality and anonymity are much harder to ensure

consent may need to be required from the person as well as other parties