Qualitative Methods Flashcards
Define qualitative data.
Non-numerical data which cannot be counted or operationalised.
What are the characteristics of qualitative data?
Methods using subjective rather than objective data.
Favoured by interpretivists.
Used to find out what people believe or think.
Social construction rather than social facts.
Methods include questionnaires, interviews, focus groups and observations.
What is a covert observation?
When the researcher is hidden from the participants and the participants are unaware that they’re being studied.
What are the strengths of covert observations?
- We can study things that are usually off limits.
- Behaviour is natural and unaffected and therefore the study is valid.
What are the limitations of covert observations?
- The researcher may be in danger if the participants discover them.
- It may be very unethical in some circumstances.
What is an overt observation?
When the researcher is in the open/obvious and the participants know they are being watched.
What are the strengths of overt observations?
- The researcher is more trusted by the participants so may get more useful data.
- There are fewer ethical concerns.
What are the limitations of overt obersvations?
- May be less trust from participants so less opportunity to gather data.
- Hawthorne effect may affect validity.
What is a participant observation?
When the researcher takes part in the events of the study.
What is a non-participant observation?
When the researcher doesn’t take part in the study.
What is ethnographic research?
The process of describing groups and the differences between them.
What are the limitations of ethnography?
- Hard to gain acceptance from group.
- More need to record in a valid and reliable way.
- Hard to be objective.
- Need to avoid hawthorne effect.
