Human Society: Qualitative Research Methods Flashcards
What are the features of Qualitative Research?
-involves the gathering and analysis of data that is less quantifiable and more subjective; this means it tends to deal with opinionated or observational data
-usually involves individuals or small groups
-does not usually allow statistical analysis, and depends on how the obtained data is interpreted
How can many research methods that tend to produce qualitative date be carried out?
Overtly or covertly
Who is overt research carried out on?
Subjects who are aware they are being observed
Who is covert research being carried out on?
Subjects who are unaware they are being observed
What are the considerations in both overt and covert research?
Validity and ethical considerations
What are the features of participant observation?
-The researcher effectively becomes part of the subject group.
-The researcher receives a first-hand experience of the group’s actions and conversations.
-Research can be carried out overtly or covertly.
What are the advantages of participant observation?
-High degree of validity — the researcher is present and can experience what the subject group experiences.
-Confidence — the researcher can gain the subject group’s trust by being part of it.
-Potential to be more ethical — if overt, then there is a good degree of ethical robustness.
-Potential for even higher validity — if covert, then the validity is higher as the subject group should act without being concerned that they are being observed.
What are the disadvantages of participant observation?
-Time consuming — the researcher must be present and much of the group activity may not be directly relevant to the research.
-Unreliable — it is difficult to replicate the researcher’s observations, and therefore has an incredibly low degree of reliability.
-Potential for low validity — if overt, then the researcher’s presence can affect results due to the Hawthorne effect or because subjects are wary or showing off. This affects validity.
-Ethical and safety concerns — if covert, there are profound ethical and safety considerations for a researcher joining a group under false pretences and potentially being involved in unwelcome or criminal group activity.
What are the features of non-participant observation?
-The researcher observes and notes the subject group’s actions.
-The researcher receives a first-hand experience of the subject group’s actions and conversations.
-Research can be overt or covert.
What are the advantages of not participant observation?
-High degree of validity — the researcher is directly observing the subject group and can see and hear what they are experiencing.
-Easier to document — the researcher can take notes or record the subject group as they are not part of it.
-Potential to be more ethical — if overt, then there is good degree of ethical robustness.
-Potential for even higher validity — if covert, then the validity is higher, as the subject group should act without being concerned that they are being observed.
What are the disadvantages of non-participant observation?
-Time consuming — the researcher must be present and much of the subject group activity may not be directly relevant to the research.
-Low degree of reliability — it is difficult to replicate the researcher’s observations.
-Potential change in behaviour — if overt, the subject group’s behaviour can change if they know they are being observed, due to the Hawthorne effect or because they are wary or showing off. This affects validity.
-Ethical considerations — if covert, there are profound ethical considerations for a researcher observing a subject group without their knowledge or consent.
What are the features of unstructured interviews?
-These are one-to-one interviews where, rather than a rigid set of questions, the interviewer has an outline of the areas they wish to cover.
-Questions are open-ended and invite the interviewee to elaborate on their answers.
-Interviews tend to be long and in-depth.
What are the advantages of unstructured interviews?
-Freer responses — the interviewee is likely to be put at ease by being in a position to express what they want to say, rather than being restricted by set or closed questions. This increases validity.
-Potential for richer data — when the interviewee can go into greater depth and the interviewer can ask different questions based on how the conversation is going, the data obtained can be ‘richer’. This also increases validity.
-Potential for greater depth — the researcher can obtain expert knowledge and opinion through this method, as those with experience of the subject matter can be asked searching questions and have time to explore the subject matter in their answers.
What are the disadvantages of unstructured interviews?
-Time-consuming — this limits the number of interviews that can be carried out, which means a smaller sample size.
-Low reliability — each interview is effectively unique, with different interviewers asking different questions of different people as the conversation evolves, so they are almost impossible to replicate.
-Ethical considerations — there can be ethical issues involved with unstructured interviews as they are often based on personal experience and opinion. It may be hard for the interviewee to avoid answering sensitive questions or subjects they don’t want to talk about.
