Qualitative Approaches

Question 1

Define Interpretivism

Name a researcher who pushed the importance of interpretivism in qual. research?

Answer 1

The assumption that there are multiple legitimate ways of answering or exploring phenomena depending on the individual context/reality.

Avoid assuming that there is only one legitimate experience of reality - ie. whats common sense to one person may appear irrational to another (eg. lay health beliefs)

Goffman 1961 - important to see the world through the research subjects eyes

Question 2

Define Naturalism?

How does this relate to PH policy and practice?

Answer 2

The assumption that qual research takes place in a natural environment for a particular phenomena, not in tightly controlled laboratory settings because behaviour is contextual (changes with settings)

Qual research can inform policy implentation - how realistic is it to work on the ground? etc. How will policy be implemented (or not) in real life?

Question 3

Define a flexible research strategy?

Answer 3

Follows an open research plan

No structured steps like quant research

Question 4

Define theoretical sampling?

Answer 4

Analysis begins as soon as data collection begins and often the first analysis informs later samples.

Question 5

When is the use of qual research appropriate?

Answer 5

1. When developing new theories or concepts
2. As a precursor to quant research - to find out what the variables are, gather info on a phenomenon, What can e measured, esp. if a new area of research
3. When quant research is not appropriate - e.g observational or ethnographic research
4. It is essential is q’airre design that the language and phrasing is meaningful to the sample.