Lecture 11 Flashcards
What is right censoring
- subject leaves before event occurs OR study ends before event occurs
What is left censoring
- event has already occurred before enrolment
What happens if you ignore censoring
“overestimate survival rate”
- this bias gets worse when there is more censoring
When to use qualitative research methods
- emphasis on meanings, experiences, and views
- identify intangible factors
- focus on process, interpretation, meaning
- methods more flexible, greater spontaneity and adaptation
What are the qualitative research steps
- design, plan, collect
- code material, identify themes
- Analyze material
What is ethnography
studies patterns of behaviours, language, and actions of cultural group in a natural setting over prolonged period of time
What is narrative research
Combines views from participant’s life
What is phenomenology
Describes lived experiences of individuals about a phenomenon
What is grounded theory
Using multiple stages of data collection to discover patterns and new theories
1. development of theory from data
2. iterative/recursive approach
- data collection until theoretical saturation
What are case studies
In depth analysis of a ‘case’ (program, event, individual, group)
What is theoretical saturation
Point at which there is nothing to be gained by collection of new information
What are types of qualitative data collection
- focus groups discussions
- interviews
- observation
- Visual methods
What are focus groups
- group of individuals selected and assembled by researchers to discuss and comment on, from personal experience, the topic that is the subject of the researcher
- typically purposive
When to use focus groups
- exploratory or preliminary studies
- to uncover factors relating to complex behaviour or motivation
- when you want ideas to emerge from the groups
When not to use focus groups
- detailed probing of behaviour, attitudes, or needs is required
- subject matter under discussion is confidential or emotionally charged
- certain strong, socially acceptable norms exist and the need to conform in a group discussion may influence response
Advantages and disadvantages of focus groups
advantages
- enable larger sample size
- time and cost efficient
- large amount of data obtained
- participants may feel secure in a group environment
disadvantages
- group think
- summarization and interpretation may be challenging
- subjective responses
- groups can vary considerably
- groups can be difficult to assemble
responsibilities of moderator
- clear explanation of purpose
- guide discussion, probe, steer
- ensure good time keeping
- ensure people are relaxed and comfortable
- avoid showing personal opinion
What are interviews
researchers pose questions in neutral manner
What is an unstructured interview
Participant tells story
What is a semi-structured interview
Specific questions asked, but interviewers are flexible to explore responses
What are structured interviews
Questions and order predetermined
What are advantages of interviews
- flexible and responsive method
- can explore additional research questions and issues as they arise
- ability to gain rich and descriptive data
- most participants will accept
- ability of follow up research participants for clarification or further exploration if needed
- decreased distractions
What are disadvantages of interviews
- time consuming, expensive
- difficult to ensure anonymity
- potential for bias
What is observation
observer participates in daily life of people under study, either openly or not
- may use multiple observers, teams
- may include multiple observations under varying conditions
What are advantages of observation
- data collected in natural environment
- can produce insights into complex realities
- context specific
What are disadvantages of observation
- context specific
- demanding method - resources and time
- observations may vary in reliability
- representativeness of data
- may be concerns regarding privacy
What are examples of visual methods
photo voice - participants take pics relating to research question
- type of Participatory action research - research approach that places collaboration with community partners at its core
Disadvantages of large sample sizes
- data repetitive
- qualitative analysis loses depth
- increases requiring resources and could cause ethical issues
what is saturation
point in research where enough data has been collected to show necessary conclusions, any further data collected will not produce value added insights
what does iterative mean
back and forth, revising and refining process
What is looking for patterns
looking for patterns, interpreting, confirming, or refuting interpretations
What does interpretive mean
Need to explore the meaning of the themes and the data in context
What makes up trustworthiness
- credibility
- transferability
- dependability
- confirmability
What is credibility (internal validity)
is the research giving true pic of reality of participants experiences, can you believe results
What is transferability (external validity)
can the research be transferred to other settings
What is dependability (reliability)
would results be similar if study repeated? how consistent are data and findings? would it be easy to repeat the research
What is confirmability (objectivity)
- ensure researcher acted in good faith
- has researcher attempted to limit bias
What are some strategies to ensure quality researcher
- audit trail
- reflexivity
- trianfulation
- prolonged engagement
- member checking/peer debriefing
- presentation of negative/discrepant info
