Lecture 6: Qualitative Content Analysis Flashcards
What are the two approaches to analyzing text in qualitative research?
Text as data & Text as text
Text as data
data coding = structured data coding + abstract text analysis.
Text analysis= indirect (on abstract data)
This method is typically used for analyzing texts from archival data collections (documents).
(examples: comparative manifesto project + comparative agendas project)
Monroe & Schrod describe text in political behaviour:
“the most pervasive – and certainly the most persistent – artifact of political behavior
Text as text
More flexible data coding, no abstraction from text.
Text analysis is a direct interpretation.
Often used for participant + archival data collection.
Text as textThe aim of qualitative research is understanding social phen
Philosophical perspectives towards qualitative content analysis
- purist (interpretivist) perspective
- neo-positivist perspective
- Dualist (pragmatist) perspective)
What is the Purist (Interpretivist) perspective in qualitative content analysis
- Quantitative and qualitative content analyses techniques are fundamentally different
- Reality can either be measured + quantified or is socially constructions + depends on interpretation.
What is the neo-positivist perspective in qualitative content analysis
- Quantiative + qualitative content analyses techniques can both be used following a positivist approach (same logic of inference)
What is the Dualist (pragmatist) perspective) in qualitative content analysis
Both quantitative and qualitative content analysis have their strengths and weaknesses (aims for refinement of systematic techniques)
What are the key steps in Qualitative Content Analysis according to Schreier (2013) (4 steps)
- Deciding on a research question.
- Data Collection & Preparation:
selecting material, conducting interviews, and transcription. - Building a coding frame: defining main and subcategories, text segmentation, trial coding, and modifying the coding frame.
- Coding and analyzing the text:
main analysis, presenting, and interpreting findings.
What is key distinction between quantative and qualitative content analysis
Quantitative content analysis involves the systematic counting and quantification of content, while qualitative content analysis focuses on interpreting meanings, themes, and patterns within the text
What are main steps in conducting qualitative CONTENT analysis (4)
- deciding a research question
- Data collection & preparation
( selecting materials, interviews, transcription) - Building a Coding frame
(defining main + subcategories, text segmentation, trial coding) - Coding + analyzing text
(main analysis, presenting & interpreting findings)
What are the main criteria for building a coding frame in Qualitative Content Analysis?
- Main categories should be unidimensional (representing one concept).
- Subcategories should be mutually exclusive (no overlap).
- The category system should be exhaustive (cover all possible categories, including a residual category if necessary)
What are key steps in inductive coding frames + category formation
- Definition of level or theme of categories
- Establishment abstraction level
- first round of coding to determine inductive categories
- revision category system
- final coding + analysis of material in line with relevant theories
—> think about tree diagrams
Deductive coding frames and category formation: key steps
- Determining the fundamental structuring dimensions (theory-based)
- Specification of subcategories
- Test coding to assess applicability
- Coding with potential inductive revisions
- Final analysis of material in line with theories
(theoretical validation)
What key Research Design Decisions (text analysis considerations) should be made before conducting qualiative text analysis?)
- Number + role human coders
- use of computer-assisted coding
- text segmentation (defining coding unit)
- Establishing a clear, concept-driven coding frame
What are two main approaches to category formation in qualitative content analysis?
- Concept-driven (deductive)
- based on pre-existing theory - Data-driven (inductive)
- categories emerge from data itself during analysis
What is method used by Kirk Hawkins to measure populism
Holistic grading: qualitative, hand-coded content analysis
What is key difference between holistic grading and Dictionary approach in content analysis?
Holisitc grading: involves qualitative evaluation of content
Dictionary approach: uses predefined word lists to quantify text
What are methods used to assure TRUSTWORTHINESS in Qualitative research design
- Triangulation: corroborating one’s findings with multiple sources/methods
- intense exposure + thick description
- audit trails + discrepant evidence
(increasing transparancy)
What should be considered as coding units in qualitative content analysis?
Whole sentences in paragraphs or bullet points that convey meaning.
Excluding headings, subheadings, pictures, diagrams and tables
What is purpose of coder training in Qualitative content analysis?
To ensure coders have theoretical and conceptual understanding,
sensitivity to linguistic peculiarities, knowledge of the code system, and familiarity with coding software (e.g., MAXQDA).
What are the 4 key aspects of trustworthiness in political science research
Authenticity
Portability
Precision
Impartiality
Authenticity:
accurate reading or genuine interpretation of reality
Content validity (positivist)
Credibility (interpretivist)
Portability
Contribution to knowledge accumulation
External validation (positivist)
Transferability (interpretivist)
Precision
Transparancy in the way analyses are conducted/ accuracy
Reliability (positivist view)
Dependability (interpretivist view)
Impartiality
Concerns regarding researcher bias
objectivity (positivist)
Confirmability (interpretivist)
assuring trustworthiness. Positivist view on authenticity
content validity: accuracy in capturing reality
assuring trustworthiness. Interpretist view on authenticity
Credibility: faithfulness to participants perspectives
assuring trustworthiness. Interpretist view on Portability
Transferability: how well finding apply to other settings and cases
assuring trustworthiness. Positivist view on Portability
External validation: findings can be generalized to other contexts.
Assuring trustwortiness: : Positivist view on Precision
Reliability: conistence in research methods + findings
Assuring trustwortiness: : Interpretivist view on Precision
Dependability: transparancy + stability in research
Assuring trustwortiness: : Interpretivist view on Impartiality
Confirmability: ensuring that findings are shaped by participants, not researchers bias
Assuring trustwortiness: : Positivist view on Impartiality
Objectivity: removal of researcher bias
