Qualitative Methods

Question 1

What do QUALITATIVE METHODS measure? What are the advantages and disadvantages of these methods?

Answer 1

• Typically investigates behavioural and experiential phenomena
• Retrieves rich and in-depth data
• Concerns specific phenomena (not as generalisable)
• Risks subjectivity/bias

Question 2

Describe ETHNOGRAPHY; what methods does it use?

Answer 2

• Interested in music as a social process and the cultural characteristics of society
• Direct and internal (emic) engagement with research subjects
• Methods include: fieldwork, observation, interview, participation

Question 3

Describe GROUNDED THEORY (GT)

Answer 3

• Iterative process of data collection and analysis

- Entered into with a preconceived theory, findings are emerge naturally (‘grounded’ in the data)

Question 4

What is a CASE STUDY?

Answer 4

• A description of a singular experience or the experience of a single subject
• Studying an anomaly (cognitive neuroscience)

Question 5

What is INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS?

Answer 5

• Involves PHENOMENOLOGY: a research philosophy that values the lived experience of participants
• Acknowledges the notion of multiple viewpoints/realities and perspective
• Description > Explanation
• Typically engages in Case Studies and/or small groups

Question 6

Describe THEMATIC ANALYSIS

Answer 6

• A way of identifying and analysing patterns in a data set
• Codifies data and collates them into ‘themes’
• Collect additional data based on what the researcher wants to know (biased but reflexive)