Coding + Content And Thematic Analysis Flashcards
What is content analysis
A type of observational technique which involves studying people indirectly, through qualitative data e.g. video, audio, interview transcripts, written responses even drawings
What does content analysis help do?
Classify responses in a way that is systematic which can allow clear conclusions to be drawn
Why is content analysis helpful when conducting research that would otherwise be unethical
Any data e.g newspaper articles has already been released into public can be analysed without explicit consent
Therefore sensitive material e.g. domestic violence can be analysed and data of it can be used
What is coding
When the researcher develops categories for data to be classified
From qualitative to quantitative data, for further analysis
Strengths of content analysis
- High ecological validity (as based on observations of what people really do)
- Observations can be tested for reliability as the content analysis can be replicated when sources are accessed by others
Weaknesses of content analysis
- Researchers can be biased when putting the data into categories which reduces the reliability and validity of the data because different researchers interpret different
- Cultural differences may contribute to inconsistent interpretations
What’s thematic analysis
A technique that helps identify themes throughout qualitative data
Like content analysis but more refined
Strength of thematic analysis
High ecological validity as much is based on real life behaviour observations
Weakness of Thematic Analysis
Can produce findings that are subjective, as people interpret things their own way
How to conduct a content analysis:
Identify / devise important categories / themes
Example of possible category theme
Work through transcribed convos
Count / tally occurrences per categories/ themes
How 2 assess content analysis reliability
Test-retest reliability
Inter-rated reliability
What’s a meta analysis
Processes where researchers collect & clllate a wide range of previously conducted research on a specific area
Collated research is reviewed together & statistically tested to provide & overall conclusion
Pro & con of time sampling
Easy to manage / appropriate for recording ongoing behaviours likely to occur + p if there’s many
May not be representative as some may be missed out or may occur outside of set time frame for observation
How to carry out a time sampling
Record the child’s behaviour at set time interval during the 5 min period
- check off at the specific time ones e,g, every 20s, tick off what is occurring based off the categories
-ignore behaviours observed in between the time sampling frames
