Qualitative Research Methods Flashcards by Olivia Sterry

What is qual research at the most basic level

Research concerned with the collection and analysis of text-based data

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What are some examples of qual research

Interviews
Focus groups
Open ended survey questions
Newspaper articles

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What has psychology been heavily influenced by

Behaviourism and cognitive experimentalism Positivism and post-postivism philopshy

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What does qualitative research question

The assumption that there is an object and true conception of reality

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Regarding reality, what does qual research believe

That there are multiple versions of reality, even for the same person

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What does qual research focus on

Experience, construction and interpretation of reality

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What are the central questions of qual research according to Camic 2003

To count or to discover the name
To measure or to listen and observe
To administre a questionnaire or talk to someone

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What may unexplored sensitive topics benefit from

People listening to those affected

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What are the focuses of qual and quan

Words

Numbers

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What does qual and qual research seek to understand

Seeks to understand and interpret in terms of local meanings.

Seeks to identify relationships that generalize to a wider population

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What type of data does qual and qual research collect

Narrow but rich, few people lots of info

Shallow but broad

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What does qual and qual research aim to be doing

Theory gathering

Theory testing

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What does qual and qual research seek

Patterns and explore divergent narratives

Consensus

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What do qual and qual acknowledge

Subjectivity

Nothing, objective

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What are the methods of data collection for qual research

Interviews
Focus groups
Participant observation

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What are the aims of interviews

Professional conversation.
For participants to talk about their experiences and perspectives, to capture their language & concepts on a topic.
To explore views, experiences, beliefs, perceptions, motivations on specific matters.

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What are interviews a good method for

When people have a personal stake in the matter

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What are the advantages of using interviews

Rich and detailed data about personal experience
Flexible - can probe and ask unplanned questions
Smaller samples
Ideal for sensitive issues
Accessible for vulnerable populations

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What are the disadvantages of using interviews

Time consuming both researchers and ps
Lack of breadth due to small sample
Lack of anonymity
Some more comfortable disclosing personal info in a group or annoymous survey
Not always empowering for participants, less control compared to surverys

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What types of interview are there

Structured
Unstructured
Semi-structured

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Define a structured interview

Questions and response categories predetermined by researcher

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Define an unstrcuterd interview

List of topics to discuss with participant interview strongly participant-led

Define a semi-structure interview

Researcher has a list of questions, but scope for participants to discuss issues important to them and not anticipated by the researcher

What is the most widely used interview method in psychlogy

Semi-structured

What schedule is adopted in a semi structured interview

Planned in advance with open-ended questions and issues to probe further

What do open ended questions encourage

Participants to follow up on unaticipated issues

How is data collected from a semi-structured interview

Usually record and transcribed

Define transcription

Process of turning audio recording into written text for subsequent analysis

What is an interview schedule key for

Building trust and rapport with participants

Describe what is meant by ordering questions

Organise into topics that flow logically and avoid asking sensitive topics immediately

How can questions be worded

Open questions Non-leading questions Singular questions

Which type of questions are the best

Singular questions

Define a focus group

Group discussion focused on a particular topic or set of core issues

How many participants are typically in a group discussion

6-8

What are focus groups based on

Discussion based around a series of questions

What does the researcher act as in a focus group

Modulator

What would be the purpose of a second researcher in a focus group

Taking notes

What is a key feature in a focus group

Interactions between participants

How is data collected form a focus group

Typically transcribed and recorded

What types of group can focus groups draw on

May be pre-existing groups or brought together specially for research based on shared experiences

How many sessions may a focus group have

1 or multiple

What may a focus group also involve

Responses to stimuli or group actives

What are the advantages of a focus group

Flexibility for exploring unanticipated issues. Access to everyday ways of talking about topics (& meaning-making). Agree disagree with particular topics. Can facilitate personal disclosure especially when investigating sensitive information may feel better at sharing info in supportive group. Good for participants who may find the prospect of research daunting. Reduce the influence of the researcher – more naturalistic data.

What are the disadvantages of focus groups

Logistically difficult – recruit & organise. Easy to get off-topic & can be difficult to manage. Ethical issues – whole group knows ‘who said what’ (privacy & confidentiality issues). Transcription is very time-consuming, 6-8 hours.

Is it true that often a combination of qual and qual is used in studies

YES

What are the three most common types of sampling

Convencice sample Purposive sample Theoretical sampling

Define convince sample

Selection of most accessible participants. | Identified as the least rigorous and justifiable sampling method.

What is the aim of a purposive sample

Generate insight and in-depth understanding of the topic of interest.

What does theoretical sampling shape

Data analysis and theory development shapes the selection of subsequent participants to elaborate the developing theory- from ground theory.

Does qualitative research tend to have larger or smaller sample sizes

Smaller samples than quan

Is there any rule abut generating the required sample size

What is a method used for sample sizes in qual data

Data saturation

What is data saturation

Refers to the point at which no new information or themes are observed in the data