Qualitative Research Flashcards
Grounded theory
Qual research not based on hypothesis but used as basis for future hypotheses
Social Interactionism
Grounded theory that examines how people create meaning through social interaction. (Research based on the principles - looking at stigma etc)
Saturation
Research field is saturated - no new emerging themes/perspectives can be elicited with further interviews etc
Theoretical sampling
New cases selected (to compare with existing cases) until saturation achieved
Purposive sampling
Purposively select a population for a study because their views about the topic are considered important.
Aim = information richness, often also concerned with diverse opinions from individuals of varying background & experience
Constant comparison method
Compare new findings from new ppl with previous
Iterative method
Compare new findings with previous & change method depending on results
(Simultaneous analysis & data collection)
Triangulation
Use several:
- study populations who are likely to have different perspectives of the same situation
- theories
- data sources
- methods
- investigators
to achieve more complex & realistic understanding, avoid biases.
Respondent Validation
Participant gives feedback on developing analysis (read what written to see if thinks represented views correctly & fairly)
Name the key features of qualitative research
. Understand & interpret social interaction & behaviour
. Small sample, non-random
. Words, images, objects
. ID patterns, features, themes
. Transferability to same context
. Subjectivity expected, researcher’s interpretations central
Name the key features of quantitative research
. Test hypotheses, cause & effect, make predictions
. Large, random sample
. Numbers, statistical description/inference
. Generalisability/representativeness
. Objectively critical (researcher separate)
Name the four main uses of qualitative research
- Individual ptpt experience & help-seeking behaviours
- Part of clinical trial (feasibility, acceptability)
- Inform guideline development (scope & recommendations)
- Inform PROs and PROMs (what are they & how they’re measured)
Why is qualitative research important?
. Understand behaviours & complex reasoning
. Participants are the experts
. New insights and issues that cannot be explored quantitatively
. Depth > breadth
(Smaller samples of ‘information-rich’ participants where findings are transferrable to other similar samples)
Why is it important that qualitative studies report in detail their methodology, methods used & the rationale for these?
Qualitative studies often employ flexible methods and are not a consistent format.
What is reflexivity and why is it important?
Researchers identifying & reflecting on how their own views, beliefs &/experiences may have influenced the research process
This is crucial, so they can consider & be open about how the research process & their positionality might influence the study
What are the first 5 steps in critically appraising qualitative research?
- Clear statement of aims
Appropriate & justified:
- Qualitative methodology
- Research design
- Recruitment strategy/sampling
- Data collection
What are the last 5 steps in critically appraising qualitative research?
Considered:
6. Relationship between researcher & ptpt.
7. Ethical issues
8. Data analysis (detail, rigour, justifications)
9. Primary quotes (statement of findings
10. Value of research
Credibility
Confidence that can be placed in the truth of the research findings. Establishes whether they:
. represent plausible information drawn from the participants original data and
. is a correct interpretation of participants original views
Achieved by: participant validation
Trustworthiness
. Credibility
. Transferability
. Confirmability
. Dependability
Discordant/divergent cases
Cases that differ from more general pattern of observations within qualitative data set.
Valued for:
. what they reveal about underlying processes
. Attempt to understand why differ
Thematic analysis
Analysis process to identify patterns/themes within data
What are the advantages of focus groups over interviews in qualitative research?
- more natural & more participant-centred
(Interviews can be an artificial environment and assumes the interviewee is articulate & comfortable with talking at length) - the interaction btw group members & how they discuss/argue/come to consensus is just as important as answers
- less resource-intensive (faster and easier for researcher)
What are the disadvantages of focus groups compared to interviews in qualitative research?
- less able to capture individual thoughts/feelings/behavioural rationales in depth
(With interviews there are more opportunities to probe & ask additional questions) - potential for social-acceptability bias as participants may be reluctant to share their true opinions in the presence of the group
(Interviews are still subject to this but in theory, it is avoidable with a neural interviewer approach & good for sensitive topics) - less flexible
Confirmability
Degree of neutrality/accuracy of research study’s findings (representative of responses only and not potential bias/personal motivations of researcher - esp in interpretation).
To achieve: audit trial (highlights every step of data analysis to provide rationale for decisions made)
