qualitative data Flashcards
What is the key difference between quantitative and qualitative research?
Both quantitative and qualitative research generate and evaluate explanations on how things work, but quantitative focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis, while qualitative focuses on understanding experiences, behaviors, and perspectives.
What is the primary goal of science in research?
Science aims to make accurate observations, valid inferences, and assemble these observations and inferences in a coherent way.
What are key features of qualitative research?
Key features include interviews, focus groups, diaries, broadcast and print media, social media, participant observations, and visual methods.
What are some common qualitative data collection methods?
Grounded Theory, Content Analysis, Thematic Analysis, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), Discourse Analysis, Narrative Analysis, and Conversation Analysis.
Why was qualitative research delayed in psychology?
Psychology historically focused on quantification and experimental methods, and qualitative research was not systematically accounted for until later developments in the 20th century.
What historical event led to the rise of qualitative research in psychology in the 1980s?
The second-wave feminism movement, which emphasized phenomenological analysis and qualitative approaches.
What are four reasons for the increasing visibility of qualitative research methods?
- The turn to language in social sciences.
- Critique of positivism.
- Recognition of the limits of quantitative methods.
- Influence from other social science disciplines.
What kind of research questions are typically found in qualitative research?
Research questions that start with “what” or “how,” focused on understanding social interactions, perceptions, processes, and sensitive issues.
What data forms are used in qualitative research?
Textual Data (e.g., interviews, conversations), Visual Data (e.g., photos, videos), and Audio Data (e.g., recorded conversations).
What is textual data in qualitative research?
Textual data includes narratives, conversations, and responses to open-ended questions, used to analyze meaning and experiences
How is visual data used in qualitative research?
Visual data includes images like photos or videos, which capture social interactions and environments, and help reveal additional layers of meaning.
How is audio data used in qualitative research?
Audio data, like recordings of natural conversations or interviews, are analyzed for content and meaning in social contexts.
What are the types of interviews used in qualitative data collection?
Structured (same for everyone), **Semi-structured **(set topics but flexible), and Unstructured (general themes with more freedom).
What are focus group discussions in qualitative research?
Group discussions aimed at gathering information on how people think or feel about a particular issue, typically involving 6-10 participants and moderated to facilitate social interaction.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using diaries in qualitative research?
Advantages: Deep, contextual data and first-person insights. Disadvantages: High dropout rates and potential for inconsistent entries.
How is broadcast and print media used in qualitative research?
It is used to analyze content for trends, themes, or public opinion, often through secondary research methods.
What are ethical considerations when using social media for qualitative research?
Ensuring user privacy, data security, and obtaining necessary permissions, as these can change frequently.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of participant observation in qualitative research?
Advantages: Rich description and insights into human behavior. Disadvantages: Time-consuming and may invade privacy.
What are visual methods in qualitative research?
These include the analysis of images like graffiti, murals, or photos to gain deeper insight into social interactions and meanings.
What is grounded theory?
An inductive data collection and analytic method that builds theory from data through systematic comparison of text segments.
What is content analysis in qualitative research?
A research technique to classify and describe communication content, often using coding frames to analyze textual material.
What is thematic analysis in qualitative research?
Thematic analysis identifies patterns of meaning or themes within textual data, emphasizing meaning over prevalence.
What is IPA (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis)?
A qualitative analysis method focused on understanding people’s lived experiences and interpretations of their world, using reflexivity in the research process.
What is discourse analysis in qualitative research?
It examines language and text as constructions of reality, analyzing rhetorical devices and their functions.
What is narrative analysis in qualitative research?
It focuses on how people tell stories about their lives and experiences, integrating individual and external factors in constructing meaning.
What is conversation analysis in qualitative research?
A study of the structures of interaction in conversations, analyzing how social activities are accomplished in verbal exchanges.
What are the advantages of qualitative research?
Rich, detailed data, useful in exploratory research, addresses “how” and “why” questions, empowers participants, and enhances face validity.
What are the limitations of qualitative research?
Requires significant time, has small sample sizes, and may lack generalizability. It also faces challenges in representativeness.
What is the purpose of qualitative research?
To understand the depth and complexity of human behavior, thoughts, and experiences, with a focus on “how” and “why” questions.
What are the key characteristics of qualitative research?
Flexible, in-depth, contextual, and focused on themes and meanings rather than numbers. It often involves interviews, focus groups, and media.
What are the strengths of qualitative research?
Provides in-depth insights, uncovers nuances not captured by quantitative methods, and is adaptable to various research contexts.
What ethical considerations must be taken into account in qualitative research?
Ethical considerations are critical, especially in relation to privacy, consent, and data security.
