Qualitative Research Data Flashcards
lived experiences of persons who were involved with the
phenomenon being studied
Phenomenology –
systematic study of the story and culture of a group of people
● Ethnography –
exploration of a phenomenon within through various data sources
and lenses to reveal multiple facets of the phenomenon
Case Studies
derives a genera, abstract theory of process, action, or
interaction grounded in the views of the participants in a study
Grounded Theory –
the same information is gathered from all
participants in a comparable, prespecified way
Structure
data that will be analyzed must be quantifiable
Quantifiability –
– data collection methods differ in the degree to
which researchers are obtrusive in their efforts and the
participants are aware of their status as study participants
● Obtrusiveness
free from deliberate bias and counter-checked in
any method possible
● Objectivity
participants’ responses to questions
posed by the researcher, as an interview
Self-Reports
collection of information using
your senses
Direct Observation
physiological and physical
variables that require specialized technical instruments
and equipment for their measurement
Biophysiologic Measures
Uses flexible methods of gathering self-report
data.
● Starts with general questions and allow
respondents to tell their stories in a naturalistic
world (conversational)
Qualitative Self-Reports
used when researchers have no
preconceived view of the content or flow of information to be
gathered
● Unstructured interviews –
used when researchers have a list of
topics or broad questions that must be addressed in an interview
Semi-structured interviews
technique designed to elicit a vivid
picture of the participant’s perspective on the research topic
Key Informant Interviews
interviews with groups of about 5 to 10
people whose opinions and experiences are solicited simultaneously.
● Focus group discussion –
narrative self-disclosures about individual life
experiences
Life histories
researchers ask participants to maintain a diary or
journal over a specified period
Personal diaries
participant is asked to recall and
describe a time when a behavior, actin, or occurrence impacted a
specified outcome
Critical incidents technique
used to collect data about cognitive processes,
such as thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making
Think aloud method –
Overcome communication barriers to enhance the flow of
meaning.
● Conversations are purposeful ones that require advance
preparation.
● Unstructured interviews are typically long, sometimes lasting
several hours.
● Decide on how to best record such abundant information
Gathering Qualitative Self-Report
Data
Yield the most direct responses and information that would be
difficult, or impossible, to gather by other means.
● Concerns on validity and accuracy of self-reports
● In general, unstructured interviews are of greatest utility when a
new area of research is being explored
● Time-consuming and demanding; and cannot measure the
quantitative aspects of a phenomenon
Evaluation of Self-Report Methods
● Used to gather information such as the conditions of individuals,
verbal communication, nonverbal communication, activities, and
environmental conditions
Observation
● Important dimensions include:
Focus of the observation
○ Concealment
○ Duration
○ Method of recording observations
the observer participates in the
functioning of the group under study and strives to observe and
record information within the contexts and experiences that are
relevant to participants
Participant Observation –
The physical setting
“Where?
The participants –
“Who?”
Activities
“What?”
Frequency and duration
“When?”
Process –
“How?”
Outcomes –
“Why?”
