Qualitative Research Flashcards
resistant view of qualitative research
- unscientific
- soft science
- subjective
- criticism and not theory
why is there resistance to qualitative research?
truth is often only seen as being defined by “neutral, objective, apolitical”
Interpretivism’s main claim
human action is inherently meaningful
- actions contain within them meaning or intention
- actions can be understood within a system of meanings to which they belong
The three theorisations of interpretivism
- empathic identification
- phenomenological sociology
- language games
Empathic identification
- aims to understand subjective unconsciousness
- believe psychological re-enactment can be accomplished through an objectivist approach
- does this through application of methods that allow them to become an observer
psychological re-enactment
- getting inside someone’s head to understand their beliefs, motives, thoughts
- also called intentionalism or conservative hermeneutics
Phenomenological Sociology
-ask: how do we make human action meaningful?
two concepts that are central to making meaning for phenomenological sociology
- indexicality: the meaning of words is dependent on the context
- reflexivity: words are not only about something but they also do things
Language games
- popularised by Ludwig Wittgenstein and later Peter Winch
- we do many things with language and in doing so we play games
- language games have rules and criteria that form a system of meaning that give meaning to language games (include cultural conventions, beliefs, practices)
shared features of traditional interpretivism (three theorisations)
- human action is meaningful
- show an ethical commitment in the form of respect for everyday experiences
- they share a neo-Kantian emphasis on the contribution of human subjectivity to knowledge without sacrificing objective knowledge
qualitative interviewing
- studying individuals in a more naturalistic manner
- interviews are used to find out how people really feel about, understand or experience particular things
types of interviews qualitative uses
-semi-structured
-unstructured
NOT highly structured
semi-structured interviews
- most common form of interview
- focussed but flexible
- prepare an interview schedule which is used as a guide
- discussion
unstructured interviews
- little structure, more flexible
- aim to understand participant’s world-view
- interviewer introduces broad topic
- discussion develops on its own
semi-structured interview advantages
- maintain focus
- obtain specific info
- less time
- less experience/training needed
semi-structured interview disadvantages
- limiting meaning
- controlled
- finding answers already known
unstructured interview advantages
- greater flexibility
- unanticipated findings
- new meanings/theory development
- participants take back power
unstructured interview disadvantages
- less control
- more skill/ experience needed
- more time required
- data analysis more complex
before the interview: interview schedule
- decide on what questions to ask
- think about phrasing of your questions
- decide on sequence of your questions
- include follow-up questions
- balance is nb
during the interview: skills and rapport
- build trust
- establish rapport
- active listener
- be empathic
- facilitate conversation
- consider effects of social identities of interviewees and your own (race, class, gender, age)
who developed focus groups?
Robert Merton and colleagues in 1940s
what is a focus group?
a research technique that collects data through group interaction on a topic determined by the researcher
when and why to use FGs
- If you want to elicit a wide range of views, perspectives and understandings of a particular issue.
- For observing social interaction on your topic and for observing shared understandings/meaning.
- As an exploratory tool to investigate under-researched areas/topics.
- Great for accessing the view/voices of underrepresented and/or marginalised social groups.
- If you have a social change/activist research agenda – have a ‘consciousness-raising’ effect on persons.
issues to think about in relation to focus group participants
- how similar or different are they?
- friends or strangers?
snowball sampling in fg
participants lead you to other participants
purposeful sampling in fg
look for people who match your criteria
convenience sampling in fg
find who you can get
sampling in fg
- keep group size to 6 max
- over-recruit in case people dont show up
conducting focus groups
Offer refreshments
- Introducing group members to each other
- Small-talk
- Name tags
- Location of the bathrooms
- Audio recording equipment and taking notes (assistant)
- Ground rules (e.g. cellphones, encouraging open discussion, respect etc.)
moderating a focus group
- interview skills
- group management
- challenging participants
advantages of focus groups
- draws on naturalistic modes of interaction, communication and expression
- shifts the balance of power btw researcher and participant
- Direct facilitator interaction with and observation of participants
- Reduces researcher impact on participants’ responses
disadvantages of focus groups
- discussion may be difficult to control
- individuals may not want to express opinions that vary from group opinion
- not always suited to exploring sensitive topics
what is the purpose of data analysis?
Data analysis involves working with your data in an attempt to answer your research question/s
thematic analysis
Qualitative data analysis approach which identifies and analyses patterns or themes across data sets
three central regulating principles
- ontology
- epistemology
- methodology
ontology
the theory of the nature of reality- nature of social reality
epistemology
a theory of knowledge
methodology
a theory of the way in which knowledge is acquired
paradigm
a worldview or point of view derived from ontological, methodological and epistemological assumptions and beliefs
PAR stands for
Participatory Action Research
PAR definition
seeks to bring together action and reflection, theory and practice in participation with others in the pursuit of practical solutions to issues of pressing concern to people.
PAR origins
- south america 1940s
- Martin Baro and Paulo Freire
purpose of PAR
to produce practical knowledge that is useful to people in their everyday conduct of their lives
Principles of PAR, who
originates in communities that have traditionally been exploited or oppressed (bottom-up)
Principles of PAR, why
works to address the specific concerns of the community as well as the fundamental causes of the oppression, with the goal of achieving positive social change & social justice.
Principles of PAR, how
PAR is at once a process of research, education and action to which all participants contribute their unique skills and knowledge and through which all participants learn and are transformed.
bottom-up approach to social change
participation of members of marginalised communities in collective action
top-down approaches to social change
efforts of powerful leaders, policy-makers, agencies, through instruments of government, politics, law or economics
PAR techniques
Popular theatre Mapping Community seminars Educational camps/workshops Intercultural exchange programs Video productions Photovoice!
PAR theory
- participation
- critical consciousness
- empowerment
- social capital
PAR participation
It is the symbolic power to construct legitimate social knowledge, norms and identities, and to disregard, marginalise or silence alternative ways of knowing and being.
PAR empowerment
Psychosocial state in which a group of people feel confident and motivated that they can achieve important goals they set themselves, and where they have the opportunities to do so.
PAR critical consciousness
A realistic understanding of the obstacles to behaviour change, a belief that such obstacles can be overcome and a vision of alternative behavioural options.
PAR social capital
Community-level strengths or resources such as trust, mutually supportive relationships, a positive local identity and high levels of participation in informal and formal social networks of various kinds (friends or neighbours, community associations & organizations).
PAR- photovoice
seeks to bring about social change in marginalised communities by providing photographic training through which project participants can advocate and improve the quality of their lives.
Hegemonic narrative
development is presented through racialised, gendered and classist narratives of postcoloniality.
4 general principles of qualitative research
- naturalistic data collection
- validity
- reliability
- representativeness
