Intro to Qualitative Research

Question 1

What can we gain ?

Answer 1

• Recurrent themes
• Hypothesis generation
• survey components
• Classification systems
• Theoretical frameworks

Question 2

Philosophical foundations in research

Answer 2

ontology -> epistemology -> methodology -> methods -> sources
- Hay 2002
- , ontology + epistemology combined is a paradigm ( holistic view)

Question 3

Ontology

Answer 3

• Nature of reality
• What exists
• views of reality
• What’s out there to know
• multiple perspectives on what is reality

Question 4

Epistemology

Answer 4

• Theory of knowledge
• HOW can we study the world
• what do you know + how can you know it
• multiple perspectives on how we generate knowledge

Question 5

Research paradigms

Answer 5

• positivism = one reality we measure objectively
• critical realism = one reality we know through interactions
• Constructivism = multiple realities that need interpreting
• pragmatism = Whatever works

Question 6

Collecting Qualitative Data- Interviews

Answer 6

• structured, semi + unstructured
• Semi: most common + most practical
• emphasis on same meaning

Question 7

collecting Qualitative Data- Focus Groups

Answer 7

• group interview that uses interactions as data
• ppts can respond to + comment on each others constributions

Question 8

collecting Qualitative nata- observations

Answer 8

• covert Vs overt
• ppt Vs non-ppt

Question 9

Existing Data

Answer 9

• Data in public domain: news articles, media broadcasts, social media posts
• Archival data: diaries, letters , newspapers

Question 10

Reflexivity

Answer 10

• Aim for objectivity but researchers are sceptical g this
• we all have different views but need to observe facts objectively

Question 11

Non-Text methods of analysis

Answer 11

• Repertory grids
• Q-methodology
• microanalysis of audio/video
• method pluralistics

Question 12

Text based methods of analysis

Answer 12

• Thematic analysis
• Interpretive phenomenological Analysis (IPA)
• Discourse analysis (DA)
• content analysis
• grounded theory

Question 13

content Analysis

Answer 13

• Highly flexible
• Focuses on identifying frequency of themes, words + concepts
• conceptual analysis = looks for existence + frequency of concepts /themes
• Relational analysis = examines relationship between themes

Question 14

content Analysis stages

Answer 14

• Prepare - dev aims
• familarise yourself with data
• Break text up + condense
• Apply initial codes
• Identify themes
• Adjust codes where needed
• create codebook

Question 15

evaluating content analysis

Answer 15

• Highly flexible + adaptable
• systematic analysis
• Time consuming
• can’t draw cause + effect conclusions
• coding is subjective to researcher