Qualitative Research

Question 1

define Epistemology

Answer 1

philosophy of knowledge

Question 2

Realism vs Relativism in terms of research

Answer 2

realism means data mirrors reality and relativism means there is many interpretations of the same observation

Question 3

what is phenomenology

Answer 3

the way we perceive and make sense of our own lives. first person point of view. through our own cultural, social and personality

Question 4

give the three main types of qualitative research

Answer 4

text, images and sound

Question 5

quantitive research gives predictions whereas qualitative gives..

Answer 5

explanation

Question 6

what is deductive reasoning?

Answer 6

in quantitive research where hypothesis > data > conclusions. you then accept or reject a null hypothesis

Question 7

what is inductive reasoning?

Answer 7

in qualitative research where you identify a research area before collecting data > then that data gives you explanations

Question 8

Name 4 main types of data collection for qualitative (which is most common)

Answer 8

interviews, observation studies, document/ text analysis, audio/visual transcripts

Question 9

what is Nvivo used for

Answer 9

software to organise and asses qualitative data - way of marking and arranging text

Question 10

describe discourse analysis

Answer 10

generic term for a number of approaches to analysing written data or vocal data. analyses the language. transcript captures all features of interactions (pauses etc). analysis detailed and time consuming

Question 11

what is a code

Answer 11

word or short attribute that narrates the key issues of information

Question 12

typical sample size for discourse analysis

Answer 12

small

Question 13

describe content analysis

Answer 13

researcher establishes codes and counts number of time code appears

Question 14

why are codes deductive

Answer 14

deprived from pre existing theory and research

Question 15

difference between manifest codes and latent codes

Answer 15

manifest - answer is obvious, people say ‘ i do this’

latent - people don’t actually say just imply

Question 16

which is the most quantitive qualitative type of analysis

Answer 16

content analysis

Question 17

describe theme analysis

Answer 17

similar to content analysis but themes are identified in the data and analysis analyses meaning of themes and why they occur + links between them

Question 18

difference between deductive themes and inductive themes ?

Answer 18

deductive - being able to search for themes that you already are aware of
inductive - finding new themes within the data

Question 19

name the 6 phases of thematic analysis

Answer 19

1) familiarising yourself with the data
2) generating initial codes
3) searching for themes
4) reviewing themes
5) defining and naming themes
6) producing a report

Question 20

name 5 things each code should include

Answer 20

label - definition - how to know when theme occurs - any qualifications or exclusions -examples of positive and negative occurrence

Question 21

3 stages of interpretative phenomenological analysis

Answer 21

1) summarise the experiences described by participant
2) interpret meaning
3) how did the participant make sense of the experience?

Question 22

what is double hermeneutic

Answer 22

participant trying to make sense of their own world - researcher trying to make sense of the participant trying to make sense

Question 23

describe grounded theory

Answer 23

researcher constantly analysing data as he collects - constant comparison . prevents preconceptions

Question 24

why would you use a mixed research method

Answer 24

draw from the strengths of each method and minimise weaknesses

Question 25

How would you critically evaluated qualitative research?

Answer 25

are the method and content made explicit?
is the sampling described and justified?
is the fieldwork described?
is the data and method accessible to independent researchers
have they used triangulation
has analysis been completed by another researcher to increase reliability?
does the raw data support the analysis?