Qualitative 1 & 2- Qualitative Methodologies

Question 1

What does qualitative methodologies allow us to gain?

Answer 1

This type of methodology allows us to gain an understanding of the behaviours, interactions and experience. Generally starts with a broad research question.

Question 2

Where does is usually take place?

Answer 2

-Research following qualitative methodology usually takes place in the environment where the phenomena under investigation normally occur.

Question 3

What is normally conducted before the study?

Answer 3

A literature review

Question 4

What is the sampling method normally used?

Answer 4

Non-Probability sampling

Question 5

What are the most commonly used qualitative data collection?

Answer 5

• The most commonly used qualitative data collection methods are interview, diaries, focus groups and case studies.
• Participants response will drive the researcher’s subsequent questions.

Question 6

What is the most common data analysis?

Answer 6

• Most common data analysis is thematic analysis
• Whichever method is adopted the purpose is to elicit meanings from the data.
• Overall process of qualitative data analysis is described to be iterative- not a linear process.
• Often involves repetition until the researcher feels that the analysis has been completed.

Question 7

What should be obtained from the participants?

Answer 7

-Participants confidentiality and protection should be obtained which is difficult due to the small group study and the location.

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of qualitative data?

Answer 8

• Participants can share unsafe practice observed.
• Qualitative methodology is seen to be lacking scientific rigour
• Findings only apply to those who have participated in the study.
• Analytic or theoretical generalisation

Question 9

What are the examples of qualitative research?

Answer 9

• Phenomenology
• Action research
• Ethnography
• Grounded theory

Question 10

What is phenomenology?

Answer 10

the meaning of a persons life

• The ideology of Husserl and Heidegger
• Researchers wish to gain insight into the experiences of individuals and is based on the belief that are persons reality is determined by their interpretation of their world.
• ‘lived experience’ of the participant.
• Reveal new unexpected insights and is person centred and holistic
• Their whole life aspect and not just the condition. Enable researchers to focus on the whole person.

Question 11

What are the two main approaches of phenomenology?

Answer 11

oDescriptive: concept of ‘life-world’ or ‘lived-experience’ and does not require the researcher to know prior knowledge – enabling the researcher to explore issues unhampered by any preconceived ideas. If researchers have prior knowledge when researching- use bracketing. Usually by reflecting on what they know about the topic.
oInterpretive: attempts to analyse, interpret or explain the persons’ experiences. Rejects the notion of bracketing
oDifference between the two approaches is an ontological difference regarding the nature of the reality

Question 12

What are the sampling strategies in the phenomenology approach?

Answer 12

-Qualitative research
oRequires participants that the researcher is investigating.
-Decides on the inclusion criteria of the participants
-The sample should include sufficient variation to ensure that a comprehensive range of experience cam be described.

Question 13

What are the data collections and analysis strategy for the phenomenology approach?

Answer 13

o Semi-structured interviews
o Engaged and in-depth conversation.
o Narrative accounts are generated
o The questions should enable the participants to describe their feeling and tell the story without being interrupted
o Diaries and case studies can also be used
o Audio-recorded to facilitate transcription and data analysis.
o Thematic analysis: sections of the data is coded into broad themes

Question 14

What are the ethical issues in the phenomenology approach?

Answer 14

• Informed consent
• Participant confidentiality
• Due to the holisticness the participant may share very sensitive issues- therefore should be reassured that they are able to withdraw at any time.
• Should have strategies in place to deal with any sensitive issues e.g: ongoing support, counselling services or a debriefing sheet
• Imbalance of power- the participant has the power to disclose whatever they like.

Question 15

What is ethnography

Answer 15

• Social anthropology
• Wish to explore the behaviours and beliefs of groups
• Interested in cultures, customs, language and interactions.
• The researcher aims to gain insight into the social, psychological and political factors that bring individuals together.
• Unravels the different aspects of a culture

Question 16

What are the key features explored in ethnography?

Answer 16

• Accepted behaviour
• Expections of behaviours
• Social traditions
• System of communication
• Groups artefacts or symbols

Question 17

What are the sampling strategies used in the ethnography approach?

Answer 17

• Macro or microethnography
• The setting is determined by the purpose of the research
• Convenience sampling

Question 18

What are the data collections and analysis strategy for the ethnography approach?

Answer 18

• Method of data collection: observation, carried out in the setting where the group usually comes together.
• Data collection will continue until data saturation is reached.
• Researchers immerse themselves in the group to observe the norm
• Insiders perspective: the researcher may also adopt a participant approach
• Potential limitation: change of behaviour is participants are aware they are being observed.
• Strategies have changed whereby researcher will spend time with the participants
• Observations may be supported by other data collection such as interviews, diaries and focus groups.
• Data analysis: thematic analysis explain group behaviours which may culminate in the development of a theory.

Question 19

What are the ethical issues in the ethnography approach?

Answer 19

• Researcher may find it difficult obtaining permission

- Majority of the group might comply but some individuals will disagree

Question 20

What is grounded theory?

Answer 20

• First described by Glaser and Strauss
• May incorporate into quantitative approach.
• When the researchers intention is to find out more about a topic and develop a theory to explain an aspect of human behaviour.

Question 21

What are the sampling strategies used in the grounded theory?

Answer 21

• Data sources
• Non-probability sampling strategies
• During the initial period of data collection and analysis the researcher looks for factors that may explain the phenomena under investigation. Further participants or data sources who may be able to provide insight on these issues.
• Further participants are recruited using theoretical sampling

Question 22

What are the data collections and analysis strategy for the grounded theory?

Answer 22

• In-depth conversation, focus groups, semi-structured questionnaires and diaries
• Quantitative methods may be used to collect data
• Recruitment of participants, data collection and analysis occurs simultaneously
• Compares data that have been collected and look for confirmation, advantages and disadvantages
• Constant comparison allows researcher to challenge the theory and therefore strengthen it.

Question 23

What are the ethical issues in the grounded theory approach?

Answer 23

• issues often relate to factors associated with the data collection methods.
  Researcher can only describe the initial or earlier phase of the study when applying for governance approval.

Question 24

What is action research?

Answer 24

• Also known as collaborative or participatory research.
• Kurt Lewin
• Cyclical approach to solving problems.
• Aim: to assess the problem and implement a change that will address the problem and then evaluate
• Evaluation will identify if further strategies are required
• Concluded when the initial problem has been addressed.
• Particularly suited with vulnerable people.