reviewing literature Flashcards
What is qualitative research?
Qualitative research is an approach that explores the meanings, experiences, and perspectives of participants, often in a natural setting.
What types of questions are best suited for qualitative research?
Qualitative research is suited for questions that seek to understand “how” and “why” phenomena occur, rather than measuring or quantifying them.
What are the common data collection methods in qualitative research?
Common methods include interviews, focus groups, observations, and analysis of texts or documents.
What is the role of the researcher in qualitative research?
In qualitative research, the researcher plays an active role in data collection and analysis, often interacting closely with participants.
What are in-depth interviews, and when are they used?
In-depth interviews are one-on-one conversations that explore participants’ thoughts and experiences in detail, often used to investigate personal or complex topics.
How do focus groups differ from interviews in qualitative research?
Focus groups involve group discussions, allowing researchers to observe interactions and group dynamics, while interviews focus on individual perspectives.
What is participant observation?
Participant observation involves the researcher immersing themselves in the setting they are studying, observing behaviours and interactions as they naturally occur.
What are the strengths of qualitative research?
Qualitative research excels at capturing rich, detailed data, understanding complex social phenomena, and exploring subjective experiences.
What are the limitations of qualitative research?
Limitations include potential researcher bias, difficulty generalising findings, and challenges in replicating studies due to the subjective nature of the data.
How is data analysed in qualitative research?
Data in qualitative research is typically analysed through thematic analysis, coding, and identifying patterns or categories of meaning within the data.
What is thematic analysis?
Thematic analysis is a method of identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns or themes within qualitative data.
How does the researcher ensure rigour in qualitative research?
Rigour is ensured through techniques such as triangulation, member checking, audit trails, and reflexivity, which help increase the trustworthiness of the findings.
What is triangulation in qualitative research?
Triangulation involves using multiple data sources, methods, or researchers to cross-check and validate findings, enhancing credibility.
What is reflexivity, and why is it important in qualitative research?
Reflexivity is the process by which researchers reflect on their own biases, values, and influence on the research, ensuring more transparent and objective findings.
Why is qualitative research often considered interpretive
Qualitative research is interpretive because the researcher’s perspective influences how the data is understood and analysed, and meaning is often co-constructed with participants.
