research methods, questions and integrity Flashcards
what is qualitative data?
- describes experiences, perceptions motivations and intentions in words
what is quantitative data?
- numerical data, measured in numbers
what is the starting point of qualitative data?
- situations
what is the starting point og quantitative data?
- data and/ or hypothesis
are qualitative and quantitative data similar at all?
- yes, a lot of overlap
what questions do qualitative data answer?
- how?
- why?
what questions do quantitative data answer?
- how much?
- when?
what does qualitative data provide compared to quantitative?
- qualitative data provides context whereas quantitative provides details
what is the goal of qualitative data?
- participants provide reliable observations
what is the goal of quantitative data?
- methods are repeatable
- findings quantifiable
what are examples of qualitative methods?
- semi- structured interviews
- focus group
- participant observation
- text/ document analysis
- narrative reviews
what are some quantitative methods?
- surveys
- questionnaires
- biomarkers/ imaging
- randomised controlled trials
- lab experiments
- systematic reviews and meta- analysis
what are the advantages of qualitative data ?
+ provides understanding
+ explore different areas
+ hear and understand participants’ voices #
+ produces narrative, stories
what are the limitations of qualitative data?
- small samples
- time intensive
- less rigour
- researcher training
what are the advantages of quantitative data?
- limited variables
- representative samples
- anonymised
- precise; statistical comparison
- test theories: policy relevance
what are the limitations of quantitative data?
- little understanding of individual experience
- less contextual understanding
do you ever use both methods at the same time?
- yes
- combine the best parts of btoh approaches
what is induction?
- using the data to generate new hypothesis or theories
- generalisations based on specific observations
what approach is induction?
- bottom up approach
what is deduction?
- making predictions and hypotheses from a theory
- tests theory through observations and empirical evidence
what approach is deduction?
- top- down approach
does qualitative or quantitative use induction or deduction?
- both methods can use both
what does a good research question identify?
- research area, domain or scope
- relevant variables or contexts