Qualitative Data Flashcards
What does qualitative data seen to explore?
Human experience and phenomena
Is qualitative data interpretative or positivist?
Interpretive
Is the theoretical focus of qualitative data deductive or inductive?
Inductive: qualitative data generates a theory rather than testing a hypothesis
Is the involvement of the researcher within qualitative research objective or subjective?
Subjective- researcher is aware of how their own opinion may effect the study being undertaken
Qualitative data is obtained using:
Open ended questionnaires, interview, focus groups, observation studies
Can qualitative data findings be generalised?
Typically not due to smaller sample sizes.
Name three methods of qualitative methodology:
- Phenomenology
- Ethnography
- Grounded theory
Briefly describe phenomenology
Describes lived experiences and phenomena experienced by individuals. Generally uses interview technique and analyses data collected into themes.
Briefly describe ethnography
Ethnography focuses on the importance of culture and population experience. Recognises both historical and cultural influence on individual behaviour. Ethnography is rooted in anthropological and sociological beliefs.
Briefly describe grounded theory
Theory is collected from data which has already been collected. I.e. a theory emerges as the data is progressively collected by the researcher. Questions are typically used to gather data and the theory gradually emerges.
Define ‘ontology’
The study of ‘being’
Name three sampling methods used in qualitative research:
- snowball
- purpose sampling
- convenience
Name the 7 stages of thematic analysis
- Data collection
- Management of data
- Familiarisation of data and data coding
- Defining themes within the data collected
- Representing the data
- Producing a narrative using data collected
- Conducting a report
Define reflexivity in qualitative data collection:
Reflexivity describes how the researcher is aware of how they themselves may effect the process and outcomes of the research undertaken. i.e. the knowledge and opinions of the researcher themselves should be acknowledged and valued.
Give three features of qualitative interview techniques:
- Questions are open ended
- Questions may change as interview progresses
- Interviewees are encouraged to participate information outside of interviewer questions
How may the rigour of a study be impacted?
- By a lack of data
- By a lack of data collection time
- By inconsistent data which doesn’t demonstrate a theme
What does evidence informed decision making begin with?
A focused question regarding a problem arising within practice.
EIDM combines knowledge from which three sources?
- An individuals clinical expertise
- Preference of the patient
- Research and resources available
What are the 7 steps involved in evidence informed practice?
- Define
- Search
- Appraise
- Synthesize
- Adapt
- Implement
- Evaluate
What are the 5 stages in the hierarchy of evidence?
- Systematic reviews
- Randomized clinical trials
- Observational studies
- Case reports/ case studies
- Opinions and ideas
Give three barriers to EIDM:
- Time constraints
- Inability to access research
- Inability to understand language of research used
Findings of qualitative data are generally expressed using:
Words or written documentation.
What are qualitative approaches concerned with exploring?
Phenomena or human behaviour from an internal perspective.
What is the philosophic origin of qualitative data?
Interpretativism- prepared to sacrifice reliability and representativeness for greater validity.
Are qualitative studies undertaken in a natural or a clinical setting?
Natural setting
Is the theoretical focus of qualitative data inductive or deductive- describe why.
Inductive- qualitative data aims to generate a theory from research rather than establishing a theory beforehand.
Is the involvement of the researcher in qualitative research subjective or objective?
Subjective.
Briefly describe ethnography as a qualitative research method.
Ethnography is concerned with studying culture and environment to understand systems and phenomena. It is rooted in sociology and anthropology and recognises the importance of history and cultural significance.
Briefly describe phenomenology as a qualitative research method.
Studies an individual who has experienced a single phenomena of interest. Recognises the importance of psychology, sociology and philosophy.
Narrative inquiry is an umbrella term used within qualitative research methodology. What does it describe?
Narrative theory aims to capture human experience over a period of time. Narrative theory is a means by which we systematically gather, analyse and represent peoples stories as told by individuals or documents.
Briefly describe grounded theory as a qualitative research method.
Grounded theory aims to gather as much data as possible and then gather a theory from the data once analysed. The goal is to discover an emerging theory that fits with the data collected.
Describe a case study.
A case study can be defined as an intensive study about a person or a group of individuals which is aimed to generalise over several units once a theory has emerged.
Describe non-probability sampling as a qualitative sampling method.
A technique whereby the researcher subjectively selects participants based upon their own judgement rather than randomly..
Describe convenience sampling as a qualitative sampling method.
Convenience is a type of non-probability sampling whereby the sample is taken from the population which is close to hand. It is used as it is quick, cost effective and easily available.
Describe purposive sampling as a qualitative sampling method.
A non-probability sampling method where the researcher chooses participants based upon particular characteristics which they demonstrate. The sample is created with a purpose in mind.
Describe theoretical sampling as a qualitative sampling method.
Theoretical sampling aims to find data which fits with an emerging theory. It is often used to produce more data or to add to data which has already demonstrated a theory.
Describe snowball sampling as a qualitative sampling method.
Snowball sampling occurs when research participants recruit others for a test or a study. It is used when potential participants may be hard to find.
State the 7 stages of thematic analysis:
- Data collection
- Data management
- Familiarisation and coding
- Defining themes
- Representing data
- Making an account/narrative of data collected
- Reporting on data
Define ontology:
The study of being.
Describe interpretivism:
The study of the relationship between society and the individual.
Describe epistemology:
The theory of knowledge with regards to its methods, validity and scope.
What does PICOT stand for in relation to EIDM?
P- Population I- Intervention C- Comparison O- Outcome T- Time
What does SPIDER stand for in relation to EIDM?
S- sample PI- phenomenon of interest D- design E- evaluation R- research type
What are the three research methodologies used within qualitative research?
Phenomenology, ethnography and grounded theory.
What are the 3 steps in the evidence informed practice process which allow for new skills to be developed?
- Constructing clinical questions
- Searching for relevant research
- Evaluating literature
What is the primary benefit of EIDM?
It reduces the gap between effective research and excellent practice within nursing.
