Qualitative Research Methods Flashcards
What is research?
The systematic gathering presenting and analysing of data
Collection of data, documentation of critical information, analysis in accordance with suitable methodologies
What is the purpose of research?
Information - acquire new knowledge
Facilitating change - disrupt and enhance practice
Ethical issues - prevent harm
Academic mission - interest
What are the different types of research?
Qualitative - words, individuals feelings, inductive (builds theory) Constructivism (no fixed truth), research questions
Quantitative - numbers, emphasis on measurement, deductive (testing theory), more positivism (truth to be found)
What are the research paradigms?
Ontology - what is real
Epistemology - How we know things
Methodology - how we can find things out
Methods - tools used to collect data
Outline constructivism
Interested in the ways that people make sense of their experiences
Ontological position - relativism
Epistemological position - constructivism
Detail - makes room for and values all of the complexity that positivism doesn’t. Organic and open ended.
Researcher has reflexivity - reflects on their role
What is the qualitative paradigm?
Tells us that useful knowledge can be generated by looking at meaning with small samples that the researcher should not theorise themselves as absent from the process. Knowledge is contextual and partial.
What are paradigm wars?
Debates between academics on the merit of each perspective for both quantitative and qualitative research
What are the qualitative methods?
Interviews
Focus groups
Observations
Outline interviews
A conversation with a purpose
Two main forms - semi -structured and unstructured
Discover how individuals think
Explore their context
Why they hold certain opinions
Private/ confidential
Person- centred
What is a semi-structured interview?
Interview schedule
Element of structure but can be flexible
Greater standardisation across interviews
More researcher control over topics
What are unstructured interviews?
Single question - no interview schedule
Participant responds freely
Flexible, naturally occurring data
Conversational
Less researcher control over topics
What are focus groups?
Focus groups are group interviews where the researcher facilitates the process
Require structure and purpose
Room for creativity and collaboration
Good with children and young people
What are observations?
Describing events, behaviours in real world settings
Good for understanding real life, not just perceptions about real life (culture)
Valuable when research is interested in practice
Most effective when used in combo with other methods
