Qualitative Research

Question 1

What is Observational Research?

Answer 1

Non-experimental approach where researcher observes the effect of a specific variable as it occurs naturally without making any attempt to intervene.

Question 2

What are Types of Observational Research?

Answer 2

1. Observation without Interaction
2. Observation with Interaction

Question 3

What is Observation without interaction?

Answer 3

Naturalistic Observation
No interaction with participants
Watch and record all behaviors

Question 4

What are three types of observation with interaction?

Answer 4

a. Participant observation (case studies)
b. Structured Observation
c. Field experiment

Question 5

What is difference between disguised and undisguised in observation with interaction?

Answer 5

Disguised- people who are being watched do NOT know they are being observed
Undisguised - people DO know they are being observed

Question 6

What is Structured Observation?

Answer 6

Typically the researcher “sets up” a situation to observe how participants will respond

Question 7

What is Field experiment?

Answer 7

Manipulation of one or two independent variables in a natural setting

Question 8

What is inside a structured observation

Answer 8

Confederates - actors who work for the researcher and behave in a prescribed manner

Question 9

What is inside field experiment?

Answer 9

Control group vs experimental group
Realistic setting used lab would not produce “honest” results

Question 10

What are qualitative ways to record behavior?

Answer 10

1. Written descriptions of behaviors
2. Researcher will group similar behaviors and calculate frequencies
3. Narrative records
4. Video recording - less subjective
5. Content Analysis

Question 11

What are quantitave ways to record behavior?

Answer 11

Frequency or duration of behaviors
Rankings (ordinal scale) in comparison to others
Rating scales (Likert scales)

Question 12

What are 4 types of measurement scales with examples of each?

Answer 12

Nominal EX: ethnicity and race (the numbers don’t matter)
Ordinal: ranking of some kind
EX: class ranking based on GPA scores
Interval: Does not start at zero
EX: Grades in the Class
EX: how high your blood pressure is
Ratio: Starts at zero
EX: 1:2 is representative of fraction 1/2

Question 13

What is Interobserver reliability activity?

Answer 13

degree to which two independent observations AGREE

Question 14

What is reactivity?

Answer 14

a change in a participant’s behavior because they know they are being watched

Question 15

How do you reduce reactivity?

Answer 15

Give time to relax and adjust
Hidden recording (two way mirrors)
Repeated measurements (people will get tired of trying so hard)

Question 16

What is a Demand characteristic?

Answer 16

a change in a participant’s behavior because they have tried GUESS what the goal of the research is

Question 17

What is social desirability?

Answer 17

change in a participant’s behavior because they want to “fit in” with the social norms.

Question 18

What is observer bias?

Answer 18

as the researcher, we see what we “expect” to see blind studies and double blind studies

Question 19

What is blind study?

Answer 19

A blind study is a type of research study where the observer or participants are unaware of which individuals or groups are subject to the treatment or procedure variable

Question 20

What is double blind study?

Answer 20

A double-blind study is a type of randomized clinical trial in which neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving which treatment

Question 21

What are the 5 basic types of qualitative research?

Answer 21

A. Narrative Study (One person, such as the story of a 9/11 survivor) - portrait of an individual
B. Phenomenological Study (A phenomenon, such as a group of people’s experience with AIDS or refugees)
C. Grounded Theory Study (Generate theories of how partners tolerate domestic abuse)
D. Ethnographic Study (A long term study, which looks at the core values of a particular group; survivors of Hurricane Katrina) - portrait of a culture sharing group
E. Case Study (An unusual event or condition that is studied to learn more about an understudied topic. Ted Bundy)

Question 22

What is a narrative study?

Answer 22

1. Researcher tells a story of a single individual as the central focus
2. Data collection consists of “conversations” or stories; reconstruction of life experiences through researcher/participant observations
3. Individual recalls a special event of his/her life; an “epiphany”
4. Researcher reports significance of special event through detailed information about the setting, historical context, personal insights
5. Researcher is present in the study, reflecting on his/her own experiences in relation to the research subject; and acknowledges that the article is his/her interpretation of the research subject’s life.

Question 23

What is the grounded-theory approach?

Answer 23

1. Goal of research is to generate a “theory” based on the results of their interviews
2. Similar to Phenomenological research, however it goes a step further to develop theories.
3. Researchers generate a visual model, a coding diagram of their theory
4. Systematic approach to data collection:
5. Language and feel of the article is more scientific and objective; although clearly not quantitative research where comparisons can be made statistically.
6. Still a very sensitive tone; participants talked about surviving, coping, healing and hoping.

Question 24

What is the Phenomenological Study?

Answer 24

1. Use of systematic data analysis procedures of significant statement, meanings, themes, an exhaustive description of the essence of the phenomenon.
2. Inclusion of tables illustrating the significant statements, meanings and themes
3. A central phenomenon – such as the “cognitive and emotional understanding of living with AIDS” by patients
4. Rigorous data collection with 50+ interviews and incorporation of patients’ artwork was used
5. Study might focus on the overall “experience” of the patients in dealing with their diagnosis

Question 25

What is a content analysis?

Answer 25

1. Allows researchers to condense data into themes and categories
2. Can use (N= ) to indicate how many responses were given in a specific category
3. Chi Square is a statistic that can be used to evaluate if the number of responses is significantly different from what was expected due to chance.
   a. Could see if more men respond in certain way as compared with women.

Question 26

What is descriptive statistics?

Answer 26

1. Percentages
2. Means/Standard Deviation
   C. Important to note that there are specific qualitative journals that publish the five types of qualitative research and these are typically geared toward clinical psychology. Important that ALL researchers are aware of the different types of research.

Question 27

What is an Ethnographic Study?

Answer 27

1. Study of a culture sharing group and their core values
2. Researcher describes the group, then identified several themes about how the group operates, and discussed the subcultures.
3. Researcher typically involves him/herself in the subculture and describes his/her role and involvement as a part of the study over a period of several years.
4. Looks at resistance to opposition and how the culture and subcultures respond.
5. Researcher reports his/her own experiences with the personal and social transforming qualities of participating in the culture sharing group.
6. Of all of the approaches, this one involves the most participation by the researcher as she/he immerses him/herself in the culture.

Question 28

What is a case study?

Answer 28

E. Case Study (An unusual event or condition that is studied to learn more about an understudied topic. Ted Bundy)
1. Doesn’t have to be “one person” can be a study of a particular group of people.
2. Usually one location and a shorter period of time (3-6 months)
3. One of the most famous cases was “Genie”
4. Multiple sources of data collection; interview, video, survey, focus groups, etc.
5. Detailed description of the event or circumstances (context and setting) for the case.