Qualitative Research Flashcards
What is qualitative research
-used to gather in depth insights into topics and is concerned with how the social world is understood, experiences and interpretated
-non numerical data deals with words and means
What are common methods for qualitative data
Records, diaries, observations, case studies, interviews, focus groups
What are records
Uses existing data from reliable documents eg memoirs historical letters and official statistics
Form of secondary data anlysis
Pros of using records
-data is already collected
-can include info from past events
-can look at change over time
-provides a large amount of data
Cons of using records
-aren’t aware of any bias
-some events aren’t recorded
-can lack depth and detail required for qualatative analysis
What are diaries
-participants record entries about every day lives about the activity or experience being studied
-collects data about habits, attitudes, motivation, changes in behaviour over time
-focus can be broad or targeted
What are the 4 phases of diary entries
-planning and preperation
-prestudy breif helping understand details and expectations
-logging period
-post study interview
What is in situ logging and snippet
In situ logging- record at time
Snippet- later expand
Pros of diary entries
-records experiences in a natural environment
-more likely to capture influential external factors
-collect observations over long periods
Cons of diary entries
-p’s may not know exactly what is required or what they should record and therefore may be innacurate
-long selection process for participants
What are the 2 tasks before an observation can begin
-define the field for observation
-gain access to the field
Pros of observations
-allows collection of data in certain ways
-uses experience in a real setting
-can witness human dynamics
Cons of observations
-time and resource intensive
-complex data
-can be unfocused
-difficult to record
When should you use participant observation
Useful if insiders view is important and to gain tacit knowledge
When should you use direct observation
In depth understanding of a group from an indépendant perspective
When should you use indirect observations
If direct is not possible
When do you use non participant observations
For observations of a well-known reality that researchers want to add knew knowledge
What is a case study
-reports of observations made on individuals, group or communities
-often involves multiple methods
Pros of case studies
-baseline info for further studies
-detailed
-can employ a range of methods
-detailed
-can be combined with quantitative measures to give a full picture
Cons of case studies
-difficult to generalise
-time consuming and expensive
-difficult to replicate
-researchers subjective feelings may cause bias
What are interviews
-most common form and is similar to survey method
-one to one or group
-face to face, telephone, internet
What is a structured interview
-researcher is in control of the content
-questions are prepared in advance and participants will receive the exact same questions
-no expansion or clarification is offered
What is a semi structured interview
-pre planned questions
-can still expand and ask new unplanned questions
what is an unstructured interview
-participant is in control of the content
-questions are not pre specified
-encouragement to expand on opinons
-specific topics are expanded on
