Qualitative Research Flashcards
What are we looking for in qualitative research?
Someone’s experience
Understand certain phenomenon or experiences
Not numerical
What are common qualitative designs?
Case study
Narrative research
Grounded theory
Phenomenology
What is a case study?
An in-depth investigation of a single case (individual, group, or organization) over time
Can be either quantitative or qualitative
detailed contextual analysis of events or conditions
What is narrative research?
A collection and interpretation of personal stories and narratives to understand how individuals perceive and make sense of their experiences
What is grounded theory?
A systematic methodology that involves the construction of theories through the methodical gathering and analysis of data
Make an interpretation that leads to a theoretical development
What is phenomenology?
A description of the essence or meaning of a phenomenon by exploring how it is experienced/lived by individuals from their perspective
How do you collect qualitative data?
Participation in the setting
Direct observation
In-depth interviewing
Analyzing written documents and material objects
What is the investigators role during participation and observation?
Passive and unobtrusive
Watching what is going on organically
What are the different types of interviews?
Unstructured - guided by a short list of general questions with probing questions when necessary
Semi-structured - guided by a structure, using a combination of fixed-response and open-ended question
Structured - questions are asked exactly as written (could be fixed or open-ended)
Can interviews include focus groups?
Yes
How do you categorize written communications?
Numeric - counting the frequency of occurrence of a topic/word
Interpretive - categorizing the meaning of words/topics used
How do you strengthen the quality of data?
Management of bias
Interviewer training
Prolonged engagement in the field
Reflexivity
Triangulation
Member checks
Audit trails
What are sources of bias in qualitative research?
Overreliance on accessible research participants or favoring of more dramatic events and statements
Biasing effects produced by the presence of the investigator in the research site
Bias stemming from the influence of the participants and the research site on the investigator
How long should someone collect data in the field?
Until they reach saturation or there is little to no new information
What is reflexivity?
A deliberate and systematic process of self-examination of the researcher
Analyzing how your views can affect your interpretation
What is triangulation?
The use of two or more strategies to collect and/or interpret or analyze information
What are member checks?
When investigators check out their assumptions and emerging interpretations about the data with the original stakeholders who provided the information
Checking in with participants to make sure the interpretation of the data is accurate
What are audit trails?
Good documentation
All data generated
Notes and personal reflections
How do we make sure we have trustworthy research?
Credibility - demonstrated by accuracy and validity that is assured through documentation; similar to internal validity
Transferability - demonstrated by information that is sufficient for a research consumer to determine whether findings are meaningful to other people in similar situation; similar to external validity
Dependability - demonstrated by careful documentation to show how conclusions were reached and whether a researcher might expect to obtain similar findings; similar to reliability
Confirmability - demonstrated by providing substantiation that findings and interpretations are grounded in the data; similar to objectivity (actually coming from the participants)
