LEC 7a Qualitative Research Flashcards

Question

Grounded theory

Answer 1

-Powerful qualitative analysis method where the intention is to create a new theory (or theories) using the data a t hand, through a series of "tests: and "revisions" -Useful method when you're researching a topic that is completely new or has very little existing research about it, it allows you to start from scratch and work from the ground up -Keep an open mind and let the data speak for itself- rather than dragging existing hypotheses into your analysis -You start with a general overarching question about a given population then you begin to analyze a small sample... -Ideally the sample should be reasonably representative of the broader population -Conduct interviews to collect the necessary info -After analyzing the interview data, a general hypothesis to pattern could emerge -Next, you will look for another small sample and see whether this pattern or hypothesis holds true for them -If not look for commonalities and adapt theory accordingly -As this process continues, the theory develops -What's important with the grounded theory is that the theory develops from the data- not from some preconceived idea -You have to let the data speak for itself

Answer 2

- Circularity- for grounded theory to work, in principle, you should know as little as possible a regarding the research question and population, so that you reduce the bias in your interpretation -In many circumstances, it is also thought to be unwise to approach a research question without knowledge of the current literature Chicken or the egg

Answer 3

-IPA is designed to help you understand the personal experiences of a subject (for example a person or group of people) concerning a major life event, an experience or a situation -The event or experience is the 'phenomenon' or the phenomena that makes up the P in IPA Phenomena may range from relatively common events to those which are extremely rare -A great choice if your research involves analyzing peoples personal experiences ot something that happened to them IPA is subject cantered= focused on the experiencer -While you'll likely use a coding system to identify commonalities, it is important to not lost the depth of experience or meaning by trying to reduce everything codes -Keep in mind that since tour sample size will generally be very small with IPA, you often wont be able to draw broad conclusions about the generalizability of your findings

Answer 4

-Researcher bias can creep into all forms of research. But with IPA delf- awareness is critically important as is can have a major impact on the results -If you're going to undertake IPA, you need to be very self-aware or you could taint the analysis

Answer 5

-Depends on your research aims, objectives and questions -Best tool for the job depends on what you're trying to build -Remember that each method has its own strengths, weaknesses and general limitations -No single analysis method is perfect -Therefore it often makes sense to adopt more than one method (this is called triangulation), but this is, of course, quite time-consuming -These approaches all make use of coding and theme-generating techniques, but the intent and approach of each analysis method differ quite substantially -Come into your research with a clear intention before you start thinking about which analysis method or methods to use -Start by reviewing your research aims, objectives and research questions to assess what exactly you're trying to find out then select a method that fits -Never pick a method just because you like it or have experience using it -Your analysis method (or methods) must align with your broader research aims and objectives

Answer 6

CREDIBILITY- Accurate description of the subjects and setting TRANSFERABILITY- would the results be useful to those in other setting or conducting research in similar settings DEPENDABILITY- how well the researcher dealt with change CONFIRMABILITY- could another individual confirm the results

Answer 7

-Prolonged engagement with the participants and setting -Audit trial of changes during the study -Providing a thick description of setting and context -Clarification of researcher bias -Cant control everything but understanding bias and working to control it can help readers place firth in results and conclusions -Triangulation of sources to support conclusions -Negative case checking to see if phenomenon is as pervasive as thought -Member checking to see if participants have information to add and agree with conclusions -Peer debriefing to have colleague challenge results and researcher provide support

Answer 8

Participants will react differently than they would if they were not in the study

Answer 9

Evaluation apprehension --->Concerned about the impressions they make on others ---->Concerned about how they will be judges Socially desirable behaviours ----->People who do not want to be perceived to be doing things that are "unacceptable" Attention-feedback regulation ----->The person being observed begins to notice (self- feedback) what he/ she is doing ----->As a result, he/ she will change (self regulation) how the behaviour is done, or even what is done

Answer 10

Deception ---->Eg. Put an observers in, then remove them although you continue to observe Reducing the degree of obtrusiveness ----->Eg. Sitting off to the side or rear of a room, use hidden cameras Pick neutral behaviours to observe Concealment ----->Don't let the participants know what is being done Is being observes (similar to deception)

Answer 11

-Reliability means dependability or consistency -Suggests that when the same things are repeated or recut under identical or very similar conditions, the outcome to results should be identical or very similar

Answer 12

Internal consistency -Are the data plausible given all that is known about a person or event -Do the pieces fit together into a coherent picture External consistency -The researched cross checks and verifies the qualitative data using multiple sources of information

Answer 13

-Check to make sure the observers are coding events in the same way (aka interobserver agreement) -Compare the data produced by the same observers watching two different events at the same time (between observers) -Comparison o coding's produced by different observers watching similar events at different items (between observers) -Examine the data from individual observers watching single events unfold (within observer)

Answer 14

In quantitative research, it is the extent which a test measurement or other device measures what it is intended to measure Example; a bathroom scale that measures someone's weight, would be considered a valid measure; if the same scale measured height, it would not be considered a valid measure

Answer 15

Demonstrating the authenticity and trustworthiness of a study by showing the researcher descriptions of the field site match those of the members (people being observes) and that the field researchers presence was not a disturbance

Answer 16

a method used to demonstrate the authenticity and trustworthiness of a study by fully disclosing actions and procedures in depth as they occurred over time Candid disclosure by the researcher of his/ her actions, assumptions, and procedures for others to evaluate

Answer 17

A method used to demonstrate the authenticity and trustworthiness of a study by having the people who were studied read and confirm what was reported as being true

Answer 18

A method used to demonstrate the authenticity and trustworthiness of a study by the researcher "passing" as a member of the group under study E.g. undercover police officers

Answer 19

Occur when the researcher is alone in the field and has little time to make a moral decision Can arise from ab unexpected event Five types of dilemmas

Answer 20

Covert research is never preferred because of the difficulties of maintaining a front and the constant fear of being caught Researcher may be covert (undercover) May assume a false name, role or identity May mislead members in some way

Answer 21

Moral obligation to uphold the confidentiality of the data Must protect all information and refrain from using direct quotes that somehow reveal the person who said them

Answer 22

-Guilty knowledge- when a researcher learns of illegal, unethical, or immoral actions by the people in the field site -Have to be careful not the get involved enough to gain their trust, byt not to get involved enough such that you cross the line of your own moral standards

Answer 23

Hierarchy of credibility- the powerful are more likely to be heard because of their position -However, you must listen to those without power Notes and evaluations have to be unbiased/ not inflected but the degree of power a person holds/ does not hold

Answer 24

-You cannot publicize member secrets (e.g. rites of passage), violate privacy, or harm reputations -A compromise may be that the researcher only publishes the information if it is essential to researchers larger arguments