Exam 1 Flashcards
3 Distinctive features of qualitative research
- Inductive
- Interpretivist
- Constructionist
Inductive
With an inductive approach, research comes first and theory follows
Interpretivist
The focus is on understanding the social world via the interpretations that humans make of it
Constructionist
Social realities exist as the result of the interactions of individuals. They are not “things” that exist outside of people and their interactions
Inductive approach
From the ground up: theory is generated from research
Deductive approach
Begins from existing theories or hypotheses
Abductive
Reflects a middle ground between inductive and deductive approaches
- Collecting data about how participants see the world is the point of departure
- The theoretical account might borrow from existing literature but remains grounded in the worldview of participants
Interpretivist standpoint
We can know the social world via the interpretations that participants make of it
Constructionism
For constructionism, “social properties are seen as outcomes of the interactions between individuals, rather than phenomena ‘out there’ and separate from those involved in constructing them”
Are words qual or quan
QUAL
Is POV of participants quan or qual
QUAL
Is researcher distant qual or quan?
QUAN
Is “theory emerges from data” quan or qual?
QUAL
Is “emphasis on process” qual or quan?
QUAL
Is “micro” quan or qual?
QUAL
Research methods in qualitative social research (categories)
- Data as observation
- Data as talk
- Data as text
Data as observation
- Ethnography
- Participant observation
Data as talk
- In-depth interviewing
- Life histories
- Focus groups
Data as text
- Archival research (texts and documents)
- Discourse and conversation analysis
- Comparative historical research
Reliability asks…
Are measures consistent?
Validity asks…
Are conclusions believable?
Replicability asks…
Is the study repeatable?
Research strategy
The general approach to research
- Qualitative
- Quantitative
Research design
The general framework for the collection and analysis of data
- Case study
- Longitudinal
- Comparative
- Cross sectional
Cross sectional design
Looking at a sample of cases to look for patterns of association/themes
- At a single period of time
Typical forms of cross sectional design
- Survey research
- Structured observation
- Qualitative interviews
Longitudinal design
Data-gathering of the same sample that is repeated on more than one occasion over time
- Used to observe change
Is longitudinal qualitative or quantitative?
It can be BOTH
Typical forms of longitudinal design:
- Surveys
- Content analysis
- Ethnographies
- Interviews
Case study design
Detailed and intensive analysis of one case
Typical forms of case study design
- Surveys
- Ethnographies
- Interviews in a particular setting
Case studies can be both
longitudinal and comparative
Are case studies qualitative or quantitative?
They can be BOTH
Comparative design
Using the same methods to compare two ore more meaningfully contrasting cases
- Often involves cross-cultural comparisons
Is comparative design quantitative or qualitative?
Can be BOTH
Reliability
How sure are we about the extent to which measurements used in the study are repeatable, stable and consistent?
Validity
How sure can we be about the conclusions of a study and can they be generalized?
Replicability
Is the study repeatable?
What are the options to apply validity and reliability in qualitative research?
- Redefine terms
- Come up with new terms
Definition of internal reliability in qualitative research
Whether, when there is more than one observer, members of the research team agree about what they see and hear.
Definition of external reliability in qualitative research
The degree to which a study can be replicated.
Definition of internal validity in qualitative research
Whether there is a good fit between researchers’ observations and the theoretical ideas they develop.
Definition of external validity in qualitative research
The degree to which findings can be generalized across social settings.
Alternative criteria
- Trustworthiness
- Authenticity
Trustworthiness
- Credibility
- Transferability
- Dependability
- Confirmability
Authenticity
- Fairness
- Ontological
- Educative
- Catalytic
- Tactical
Credibility
Respondent validation/triangulation
Transferability
Thick description allows comparison
Dependability
Peer auditing of methods, procedures, and inferences
Confirmability
Evaluation of good faith of researcher
Fairness
Fair representation of different viewpoints
Ontological
Leads participants to a better understanding of the social situation
Educative
Better appreciation of other’s perspectives
Catalytic
Encourages change
Sampling
The process of deciding what or whom to observe when you cannot observe and analyze everything or everyone
Target population
The population being studied
Sampling unit
The elements considered for selection in sampling (ex. people, cities…)
Sampling frame
The full list (if available) of sampling units from which the sample is selected
Probability sampling
Large, statistically representative sample of a population
When is probability sampling more commonly used?
Quantitative research
When probability sampling is used in qualitative research it is usually for…
Large-scale interview-based studies
Non-probability sampling
Selecting units from a population using a non-random method
What is NOT the aim of non-probability sampling
Describe characteristics of large populations
Pro of non-probability sampling
More in-depth
Con of non-probability sampling
Not generalizable
Factors that affect sample choice
- Time
- Money
What are the 2 main reasons why samples are selected?
- Their ability to exemplify the population we are interested in
- Their relevance to research questions
Purposive sampling
Sampling strategy in which researchers choose the case or cases and participants that they believe will be especially informative for answering their research questions.
Is purposive and convenience sampling the same?
NO
Convenience sampling
Involves sampling whoever is available by chance because it’s cheap and convenient.
Purposive samples can be:
- Sequential (evolving)
- Non-sequential (fixed from the outset)
Types of purposive samples (cases)
- Extreme/deviant case
- Typical case
- Critical case
Critical case sampling
Type of purposive sampling.
Most likely to give you the info you need
Types of purposive sample (units)
- Maximum variation
- Criterion
- Theoretical sampling
- Snowball
- Opportunistic
- Stratified purposive
- Generic purposive
Theoretical sampling
A sampling strategy associated with the grounded theory approach of Glaser and Strauss.
- The sampling approach evolves to fit the emerging theory
What does theoretical sampling emphasize?
Theoretical saturation
- Data collection continues until all theoretical concepts are fully supported
What is snowball sampling?
A sampling technique that can be useful when there is no sampling frame, making probability sampling impossible
Sample size in qualitative research
- The larger the scope and the more comparisons, the larger the sample
- Goal: saturation
When can snowball sampling be especially useful?
When networks of individuals are the research focus
