HRSS 3

Question 1

Explain Phenomenolgy

Answer 1

Answers the question: “What is it like to have a certain experience?”
* “essence” of an experience or phenomenon.

Question 2

Explain Ethnology

Answer 2

• interpret a culture or its subgroups.
• what and why
  • This method involves observation and note taking.

Question 3

Grounded Theory

Answer 3

• explore social processes
• Data collection and analysis occur simultaneously. Analysis includes constant comparison and systematic
coding. Theoretical sampling guides further data collection to explore the emerging theory.
• Analysis leads to identification of the core social processes and development of an explanatory theory based on the data.

Question 4

Explain Narrative inquiry

Answer 4

• Life-story research

* Purpose – to understand meaning individuals give to experiences

Question 5

Action research

Answer 5

Aims to change something through systematic cycles of action & reflection (plan, act, observe, reflect)
• Pursues action (or change) and research (or understanding) with local stakeholder involvement

Question 6

Explain Pragmatism & generic qualitative inquiry

Answer 6

• stay close to the data and to the surface of the words and events
• combination of sampling, data collection, analysis, and representation techniques
• Method of choice for wanting straight phenomena descriptions

Question 7

Data collection methods:

Answer 7

1. Interviews - audiotaped
   - Means: Face-to-face, telephone, Skype
   - Style: Semi-structured, unstructured, structured
   - Number interviewed: Individual, focus group (see Porter, 2008)
2. Naturalistic Observation
   - Participant or non-participant
3. Physical and Virtual Documentary Sources
   - Books, on-line websites, policy documents, graphics, artefacts

Question 8

Adv and Dis Face to Face

Answer 8

Ad
Develop rapport better 
readily collect 
supporting data eg facial expression and body language 
Can note the participants’ context 

Dis

• quiet , accessible space
• Booking and fees
• Increase resource demand for travel

Question 9

A & D Telephone

Answer 9

Ad
Convenience 
Flexibility 
increases numbers of participants 
Ic. geographical range of recruitment 

Dis 
-development of rapport dec. 
-miss the faceto- 
face cues and responses 
-recording can be problematic and 
Unethical 
-interstate and overseas connections vary in quality, and calls can be costly for interviews 30-60 minutes

Question 10

Ad and dis Skype

Answer 10

Ad
Free 
reduced time and cost of travel 
participant 
can relax in own space 

Dis

• connections quality vary (e.g.,
• may not see face clearly); interruption can occur.

Question 11

Style of interview

- Semi

Answer 11

• Open-ended questions with prompts for the interviewer
• Allows both structure and flexibility in exploring complex questions
Participant centered

Question 12

Style of interview

- Unstructured

Answer 12

• Allows Participants to discuss personal issues of importance
• Useful when know little and don’t want to influence with personal views
• minimal open ended questions
• improtu questions with focus on desired topic

Question 13

Style of interview

- Structured

Answer 13

Each participant is asked the same set of predetermined questions in the same way
• Useful for comparing answers from different participants