Lecture 14: Data Analysis in Qualitative Studies

Question 1

what is one of the most important steps in the research process?

Answer 1

analysis

Question 2

what is used when researchers generate and wish to analyze non-numerical data?

Answer 2

qualitative data analysis

Question 3

what is examples of things you can find from non-numerical data?

Answer 3

• patterns
• identify themes
• discover relationships
• develop explanations
• make interpretations

Question 4

what does the 18 qualitative analysis techniques emphasize?

Answer 4

that the choice of technique can significantly impact the research outcomes

Question 5

why is it crucial to identify the goals in qualitative data analysis?

Answer 5

the goals shape the analysis approach and the type of results sought

Question 6

what is a taxonomy?

Answer 6

a formal system for classifying multi-faceted and complex phenomena
- essentially: a way of naming and classifying things according to their similarities and differences

Question 7

what is generating themes?

Answer 7

a way to characterize the responses of participants and provide insight into the essential components of their experience

Question 8

what is useful for when the goal is to clarify and organize complex constructs?

Answer 8

a taxonomy

Question 9

what do themes act as?

Answer 9

recurrent, unifying concepts or statements that summarize the essence of the topic of inquiry

Question 10

what are some things to think about when generating themes?

Answer 10

• do the themes make sense?
• does the data support the themes?
• am i trying to fit too much into a theme?
• if themes overlap, are they really separate themes?
• are there themes within themes (subthemes)?
• are there other themes within the data?

Question 11

what might the last goal of data analysis be?

Answer 11

to develop a theory

Question 12

what is a theory?

Answer 12

a set of interlocking casual variables to explain some aspect of personal, social or physical realities

Question 13

it is important for researchers to think about the types of ________ they want from their ________.

Answer 13

results, analysis

Question 14

the types of results they want from their analysis should be informed by the?

Answer 14

goal, or purpose of the research

Question 15

what is inductive data analysis?

Answer 15

building knowledge from the bottom up through observations of the world, which provide the bases for developing theories or laws
- researchers identify taxonomies, themes, or theory from the generated data in the research

Question 16

what is deductive data analysis?

Answer 16

researchers use an existing framework or starting list of categories by which researchers code the data
- deductive logic starts with a theory from which a hypothesis is derived and applied to observations about the world
- the hypothesis will then be confirmed or rejected, thereby strengthening or weakening the theory

Question 17

what is an example of inductive data analysis?

Answer 17

if researchers conduct interviews without a predefined framework, they might identify new themes based on participants responses

Question 18

what is an advantage of inductive data analysis?

Answer 18

• it ensures that the analysis is grounded in the actual data, which can lead to novel insights and a deeper understanding of the research context

Question 19

what is the process of an inductive data analysis?

Answer 19

researchers generate categories, themes or theories directly from the data without preconceived notions
- this approach is data-driven and allows findings to emerge naturally

Question 20

what is the process the deductive data analysis?

Answer 20

researchers use an existing framework or set of categories to guide the analysis
- data is coded according to these predefined categories

Question 21

what is an example of deductive data analysis?

Answer 21

using a theoretical model to categorize interview responses about communication styles

Question 22

what is an advantage of deductive data analysis?

Answer 22

• it allows for a structure analysis that can test existing theories or hypotheses

Question 23

what type of data analysis approach does qualitative researchers use?

Answer 23

they often combine inductive and deductive data analysis

• this allows for acknowledgement of existing theory and represents the words/experiences of participants in the study

Question 24

what is the process of abductive data analysis?

Answer 24

• involves generating new hypotheses and theories based on surprising or unexpected findings in the data

Question 25

what is an example of abductive data analysis?

Answer 25

encountering an unexpected pattern in interview data that leads to the development of a new theoretical insight

Question 26

what is an advantage of abductive data analysis?

Answer 26

it fosters creativity and innovation in theory development

Question 27

what are the three key ways that qualitative data analysis is a unique and dynamic process, fundamentally distinct from quantitative analysis?

Answer 27

• immediate
• ongoing
• spiral

Question 28

what is meant by ‘qualitative data analysis is immediate’?

Answer 28

• data analysis begins immediately as part of the development of research

Question 29

what is meant by ‘qualitative data analysis is ongoing’?

Answer 29

data analysis is not confined to a single phase of the research

Question 30

what allows for a rich, in-depth understanding of complex phenomena?

Answer 30

how qualitative data analysis is immediate, ongoing and spiral