Lesson 8

Question 1

How is qualitative different from quantitative?

Answer 1

NO NUMBERS
Rich and meaningful conversation; depth > breadth
Not an “alternative” to quantitative research
Answers different types of questions IE Why? How?

Question 2

Qualitative researchers are interested in _________?

Answer 2

Meaning

Question 3

What are qualitative researchers mostly concerned with?

Answer 3

Process rather than outcomes/products

Question 4

Which form of evaluation would be most appropriate for qualitative research?

Answer 4

Formative

Question 5

What is the primary instrument for data collection and analysis for qualitative research?

Answer 5

The qualitative researcher

Question 6

Pros of qualitative research?

Answer 6

Examine complex phenomena without relying on structured data collection
Can stimulate stakeholder engagement

Question 7

What about statistics makes qualitative research less useful to report outcomes with precision?

Answer 7

Statistics are very concerned with precision and a confidence interval does not exist in qualitative research

Question 8

Define “non-participant observers”

Answer 8

Unobtrusively observe ‘natives’ as they go about their daily activities
Evaluator personally observes the entity

Question 9

What are some cons for non-participant observers?

Answer 9

Observations may become “snapshots” instead of “movies”
May influence performance
Most feasible in public settings

Question 10

Explain “participant observers”

Answer 10

Has a legitimate role in the program

Provide detailed information about inner workings

Question 11

What is a pseudoparticipant observer?

Answer 11

Faker
Acting as a person in need of services
Reconnaissance

Question 12

What are the three primary elements of a social scene?

Answer 12

Actors
Actions/activities
Setting (where + when)

Question 13

Why is the setting element of a social scene important?

Answer 13

People act different in different settings

Plays a role in shaping behavior

Question 14

What is the goal of interview methods?

Answer 14

Inference development

Question 15

Define “inference development”

Answer 15

Extraction of “deeper thought and meanings” that can be encoded in linguistics

Question 16

Explain the “One-on-One” interview method

Answer 16

Broad “how” and “why” questions

These open ended questions make them talk; more talking = more info to go on

Question 17

Explain the “Focus Groups” interview method

Answer 17

Used a lot in marketing
Interviewees interact with others and the evaluator
More people = enriched by other thoughts and conversation
Homogenous make-up (similar people) gives you “pure in voice”

Question 18

As the facilitator, you should

Answer 18

Tailor the interview to respondent
Be neutral in response and body language
Don’t use direct or leading probes
Be nonjudgmental to everyone

Question 19

As the facilitator, what methods are available to you to record answers?

Answer 19

Field notes (writing is less questioning)
Audio recording (can be revisited) will have the tone of person
Use pen and paper to jot down nonverbal cues to supplement recording
Review of program documents
Can be difficult to obtain

Question 20

When do you stop data collection?

Answer 20

No built in stopping point, more concerned with situation

Question 21

The more opportunities the evaluator has to observe…

Answer 21

The more generalizations can be drawn

Question 22

Name a few methods to limit bias in qualitative research

Answer 22

Assure confidentially and/or anonymity of data
Establish audit trail (before and during data analysis)
Present/Admit author’s/evaluator’s own biases
Peer debriefing
Triangulate data
Perform member checks

Question 23

How should you establish audit trail when trying to limit bias?

Answer 23

Thorough documentation of the steps and decisions taken

Question 24

When triangulating data in order to limit bias, you must

Answer 24

Rely on more than one type of data to corroborate findings

Question 25

When performing member checks in order to limit bias, make sure to

Answer 25

Return to respondents with preliminary findings and seek verification/clarification

Question 26

What does an evaluator gain by gathering qualitative information for an evaluation?

Answer 26

Intimate involvement in data collection
Understand the program from the inside rather than the outside looking in
The qualitative evaluator IS the measurement instrument

Question 27

Cons of Qualitative research?

Answer 27

1. Not good for large samples
2. Time and labor intensive
3. Not useful for precise statistics