Qualitative Data Analysis

Question 1

Emic focus?

Answer 1

Understanding phenomenon from point of view of the subject - what they felt

Question 2

Etic focus?

Answer 2

From the perspective of the researcher

Question 3

Qualitative vs quantitative?

Answer 3

Qualitative :

• focus on meaning rather than quantifiable phenomenon
• lot of data on a few cases rather that few data on many cases
• Study in depth and detail
• Researcher is an instrument - he gives the data a certain value
• Sensitivity to context (not researching generalisation)
• Goal: rich descriptions

Question 4

5 techniques of qualitative data analysis?

Answer 4

• Documentation
• Organisation/ categorisation/ condensation
• Examination and display of RS
• Corroboration/ legitimisation or conclusions
• Reflection on researcher’s role

Question 5

Documentation? (2)

Answer 5

Keep track of, organise and categorise data

Create outline of analytical process

Question 6

Organisation/ categorisation/ condensation? (2.5)

Answer 6

Helps make sense of data gathered
Detailed description of what was observed
Charts/matrices

Question 7

Examination and display of RS? (2)

Answer 7

Researcher moves from simple descriptions to explanations

Find pattern/map concepts

Question 8

Corroboration/ legitimisation of conclusions? (3.5)

Answer 8

Credibility of the informant
Presence of researcher influencing results
Important to understand RS + knowledge of situation in general

Question 9

Specialised or alternative approaches to analysing qualitative data

Answer 9

• Ethnomethodology
• Conversation analysis
• Narrative analysis
• Grounded theory method
• Semiotics
• Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA)
• Case orientated understanding

Question 10

Visual sociology?

Answer 10

Social world observed through visual media

Question 11

Systematic observation?

Answer 11

Type of data gathering method: explicit rules, standardised coding

Question 12

Participation action research?

Answer 12

Members of population observed are participants in the research
“Community based participatory research”

Question 13

Computer assisted qualitative data analysis?

Answer 13

Use of softwares
Find frequency of certain elements
Concept mapping - makes data more accessible

Question 14

Discovering patterns? (6 ways of looking at them)

Answer 14

• Frequencies
• Magnitudes
• Structures
• Processes
• Causes
• Consequences