Research question, design and ethical considerations in qualitative research Flashcards

1
Q

What is the theory-practice gap?

A

When academic research fails to address real-world issues effectively

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2
Q

The theory-practice gap is framed through three perspectives. Which?

A
  1. knowledge transfer problem
  2. distinct knowledge forms
  3. knowledge production problem
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3
Q

What is the Diamond model of research? (Van de Ven)

A

The model outlines four interconnected research activities:

  1. Problem Formulation: Identifying and situating the research problem through stakeholder engagement.
  2. Theory Building: Developing, refining, and testing theories by integrating academic and practitioner insights.
  3. Research Design: Employing robust methodologies tailored to investigate the formulated problem.
  4. Problem Solving: Applying findings in ways that impact both theory and practice.
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4
Q

What are type III errors?

A

Solving the wrong problem, when using simplified shortcuts in problem framing.

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5
Q

What are some challenges in problem formulation?

A

Stakeholder biases, complexity, pseudo problems, insufficient creativity

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6
Q

What is pseudo-problems?

A

Problems without a firm grounding in reality often result in ineffective theories.

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7
Q

What is cognitive mapping?

A

A technique for visualizing how individuals or groups perceive problems.

It structures the relationships between causes, consequences, and possible resolutions.

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8
Q

What can be some biases in judgement?

A

Individual and group biases (e.g., confirmation bias, groupthink) affect problem formulation.

Techniques like triangulation and structured group interactions can mitigate these biases.

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9
Q

What is the definition of research design?

A

Research design is the framework guiding the collection and analysis of data.

It ensures the study answers the research questions effectively and aligns with theoretical and practical considerations.

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10
Q

What are the main types of research designs?

A
  1. Experimental
  2. cross-sectional
  3. longitudinal
  4. case study
  5. comparative
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11
Q

What is an experimental design?

A

Establishes causal relationships through control and manipulation of variables.

Emphasizes random assignment and controlled conditions to isolate effects of the independent variable on the dependent variable.

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12
Q

What is cross-sectional design?

A

Focuses on collecting data at a single point in time across different subjects.
Suitable for studying patterns, relationships, or correlations rather than causality.

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13
Q

What is longitudinal design?

A

Involves repeated observations over time to assess changes and developments.
Can be either panel (tracking the same subjects) or cohort studies (following groups with shared characteristics).

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14
Q

What are the three criterias for evaluating research designs?

A
  1. reliability
  2. validity
  3. replication
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15
Q

What are the dimensions to validity?

A

Measurement
Internal
External
Ecological

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16
Q

What are some practical considerations for research design?

A

Balancing theoretical rigor with feasibility, considering resource constraints and ethical implications.

Aligning design choice with research goals, whether exploratory, descriptive, explanatory, or evaluative.

17
Q

What are some theoretical implications of research design?

A

Designs are not merely technical; they embed philosophical commitments regarding the nature of knowledge (epistemology) and reality (ontology).

Different paradigms (e.g., positivism, interpretivism) influence design choices, shaping the scope and focus of the study.

18
Q

What are some ethical considerations of research design?

A

Highlights the importance of integrity, transparency, and respect for participants.

Emphasizes informed consent, confidentiality, and minimizing harm.

19
Q

What are some types of research questions?

A

Descriptive
Normative
Explanatory
Exploratory

20
Q

What are some data types?

A

Qualitative or quantitative
also mixed approach

21
Q

What are some data sources?

A

primary vs secondary sources

22
Q

Authorship should be based on four criterias. Which?

A
  1. Substantial contributions to the conception or design of the work; or the acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; AND
  2. Drafting the work or reviewing it critically for important intellectual content; AND
  3. Final approval of the version to be published; AND
  4. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.
23
Q

What is a exploratory research design?

A

If a decision-maker knows very little about a subject area, the primary goal of the research can be to explore the topic in more detail. An exploratory research design is appropriate when there is no clear idea of what variables are relevant or how they are connected. You may not know the relevant theoretical concepts or have a theoretical model as a starting point. In such a situation, the purpose is to gain insights into the research problem. The goal of the research can initially be to understand and interpret the relevant phenomenon in the best possible way. In many cases, it will also be relevant to develop hypotheses about possible relationships. A natural start in an exploratory design is to investigate whether something has been written about the topic (literature review), and whether there is data collected by others (secondary data). Often, it will also be relevant to collect your own primary data.

24
Q

What is a descriptive design?

A

When you have a basic understanding of the problem area, a descriptive research design is appropriate for describing the situation in a particular context. This includes describing a single variable or the relationship between two or more variables. For example, in the aquaculture industry it could be important to under- stand the relationship between the quantity of harvested farmed salmon in different categories and the spot price level on the market. Based on economic theory, the hypothesis is that the price level decreases when the quantity offered increases. Using harvest data from salmon farms and prices from the spot market, you can analyze and describe the relationship between these variables. When you describe a context involving two or more variables, it is tempting to discuss them in terms of cause and effect. With a descriptive design, we have no basis for claiming that there are causal relationships. We can say that things change together in a systematic way, which we can refer to as correlation. However, we cannot claim that one thing causes the other. In our aquaculture example, we may find that harvest levels are systematically related to price. However, in our descriptive design, we do not say that price causes harvest levels or that harvest levels cause price.

25
Q

What is a casual design?

A

To investigate the possible effect of one variable on another, we use a causal research design. Generally, this means some form of experiment. To say that an event (X) is the cause of another event (Y) under a set of boundary conditions (Z), we must satisfy the following conditions that:

  • There is covariation between X and Y.
  • X happens before Y.
  • And, other possible causes for the covariation are not present (isolation).
26
Q

What is quasi-experiments?

A

Quasi means almost. A quasi-experiment lacks at least one of the two characteristics of a true experiment, either randomization or control group. As a result, a quasi- experiment does not have the same rigor as a true experiment. Some of our students did a quasi-experiment about the effect of playing Mexican music on the sales of Mexican food. They could not randomize the experiment; however, they could have a control group. They chose two grocery stores from the same grocery chain. Both stores were about the same size and in the same town. They pre-tested by recording sales of Mexican food in both stores at the same time before playing the music. They played the music (the treatment) for 1 week in one of the stores, and then post-tested by recording sales at both stores directly after the music was played. They could then test for a significant rise in sales, and they could compare the results with the control group store. An additional effect was that all three students got recruited by a multinational consumer goods producer.
Quasi-Experiments
* Lack either randomization and/or control group.
* Have a weaker test of causality than a true experiment.

27
Q

What is field experiments?

A

A field experiment is done in the environment in which the phenomenon naturally occurs. As an example, imagine that a spare parts distributor for cars considers whether the company, as a policy, should give its customers gifts. To test the effect of such gifts, a random selection of customers is drawn and randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group gets a gift from the business while the control group does not get a gift. A questionnaire is then developed to collect data on customer’s attitudes to five variables: price, service, quality, delivery, and loyalty. The results will show whether there is a significant difference between the treatment group and the control group. The field experiment thus provides information to the company with regard to the decision of whether to use such gifts on a larger scale or not. Field experiments can be real experiments with randomization of who gets the various stimuli, or quasi-experiments.
Field Experiments
* Are performed in the natural environment.
* Make it difficult to isolate the effects of our stimuli from other influences.
* Provide results that can be generalized to similar situations.

28
Q

What is internal validity in experiments?

A

Internal validity is the degree to which the change in a dependent variable can be attributed to the change in an independent variable. For example, if we claim that X affects Y, we must be certain that X causes the change in Y, and that the change does not come from some other variable.

29
Q

What is external validity?

A

External validity is the extent to which research results can be generalized to similar situations. The external validity of field experiments is often higher than lab experiments because they are conducted in the real setting.

30
Q

What are three factors for choosing the research design?

A

(a) experience with the subject matter

(b) knowledge of theoretical studies that identify relevant variables, and

(c) the level of ambition with regard to identifying relationships between variables

31
Q

Whether planning, conducting, or evaluating research, it is evaluated by how “good” the process is carried out. In research, good is equated with ….These terms are often applied to how well a phenomenon is measured. When we measure something, we use some kind of measurement instrument. This can be, for example, a questionnaire, an interview guide, a diary, or a technology that records behavior, like a mobile phone.

A

validity and reliability

32
Q

What is validity?

A

Validity refers to how well we measure what we intend to measure.

33
Q

What is reliability?

A

Reliability refers to the consistency of how well we measure something.

34
Q

What is random error?

A

Random error does not have any systematic source and has no pattern, so it tends to average out over repeated measures.

35
Q

What is systematic error?

A

Systematic error is consistent in each measurement, so over repeated measurements it causes a bias in the results.

36
Q

What is the role of the research question?

A

To motivate and focus the research.

37
Q

Charting the territory means to learn about the topic area, which includes looking for previous conceptual papers and research studies. In social sciences, research questions:

A

May motivate theory development.

38
Q

When evaluating a research question, it is important that it:

A

Is relevant, researchable, and represents a gap in knowledge.

39
Q
A