Sampling and Data Collection in Qualitative Studies Flashcards
What is the selection of sample members guided by in qualitative research
Desire for INFORMATION RICH DATA SOURCES
___ is not a key issue in qualitative research and ___ ___ is not considered productive
representativeness; random selection
Types of Qualitative Sampling
Convenience
Snowball Sampling
Purposive Sampling
Theoretical Sampling
Convenience (Volunteer) Sampling [Qualitative Research]
Same as in quantitative research but not considered as weak
Still not the preferred approach but it is economical
Snowball Sampling (Network Sampling)
Sample might be restricted to a small network of acquaintances - these acquaintances can then continue to add more samples
Purposive Sampling
researchers deliberately choose the cases that will best contribute to the study
Theoretical Sampling
involves decisions about where to find data to develop an emerging theory optimally
make decisions where to find data and how to make emergent theory from the data
Involves selecting sample members who best facilitate and contribute to the development of the emerging theory
Types of Purposive Sampling in Qualitative Research
Maximum variation sampling
Extreme/Deviant Case Sampling
Typical case sampling
Criterion Sampling
Confirming and disconfirming cases
Maximum Variation Sampling
picking cases with a range of variation in dimensions we are interested in
Extreme/Deviant Case Sampling
Looking for the most extreme informants in a case like notable failures or extreme success
Typical Case Sampling
Want to pick most average sample of the dimension we are interested in
Criterion Sampling
Sampling cases meeting a predetermined criterion for importance
Confirming and Disconfirming Cases
Sampling used later in a study to find samples that confirm or deconfirm the emerging theory or ideas
What is the preferred sampling method in gorunded theory research and why?
Theoretical Sampling - this is because we are constantly using emergent design in grounded theory
What is the sample size usually like in qualitative research
there is no explicit formal criteria for sample size as there is no power analysis and size needed - sample size is instead determined by informational needs
When do qualitative researchers know when to stop sampling
Via Data Saturation - If you are hearing similar stories and themes over and over you can decide to stop recruiting for the study
So you could end sampling early with fewer sources fi they are rich ones
____ ____ can affect sample size in qualitative research
Data Quality
What is sampling like with Ethnography Tradition
Sampling with a “big net” approach - mingling with many members of the culture
Multiple interviews with smaller number of KEY INFORMANTS - but typically involves sampling THINGS as well as people
What is sampling like with the Phenomenology Tradition
Relies on very SMALL samples (15 or fewer oftentimes)
2 Principles guide sampling: the participant must have experienced the phenomenon of interest and they must eb able to articulate what its like to have lived that experience
May sample some artistic or literary sources as well
Which tradition usually has the smallest sample size and why
Phenomenology because rich interviews can lead to data saturation faster
What is sampling like with the Grounded Theory Tradition
Usually 20-30 people
Selection of participants who can best contribute to emerging theory (Usually THEORETICAL SAMPLING) is done
So they have a general notion of who to start with and as things change they recruit new
What 3 things should be looked at when critically appraising qualitative sampling plans
- Appropriateness (does the method of sampling seem right)
- Adequacy (Does it provide samples with rich data)
- Transferability (Nebulous - am I seeing similarities between study samples)
Lots of qualitative data is in the form of ___
words (transcripts and audio recording)
What is unique about data collection in qualitative studies
Data collection methods may change as the study progresses
What are the most common methods of data collection in qualitative studies
indepth interviews - and observation (good for ethnographic and some phenomenological)
Unstructured Interview
Type of Qual Self Report Technique
Totally open ended, conversational, and totally flexible beginnings of data collection
This is good since we do not know what we do not know and structured questions will limit information
Uses Grand Tour Questions
Grand Tour Questions
Questions in Unstructured Interviews
involves grand overarching questions followed up with related open ended questions
Allows you to follow a tangent or unexpected road of information
Usually only start with 3-4 overarching questions
Semi Structured Interviews
Type of qualitative self report
Data collection similar to unstructured interviews but uses a topic guide for staying on track
Can limit some information
Focus Group Interviews
Type of qual self report technique
Interviews led by a MODERATOR in small groups (5-10 people)
The moderator is trained in focus group methods and amages the conversation between people
Basically group interviews - they are often recorded and later transcribed
Diaries
Type of qualitative self report
Source of historical research that provide intimate details of everyday life
Can yield unique qualitative information
Photo Elicitation
Type of qual self report technique
Interview stimulated and guided by photographic images
Using photos to guide the interview or having participants take photos to gain information on experiences or insight on the experience
Photovoice
Type of photo elicitation where the participants take images themselves and interpret them
Qualitative Observation
Unstructured observation in a naturalistic setting including participant observation
So the researcher knows they are part of a natrualistic setting so some of their involvement is put into the interpretation of the observation
Why is the Hawthorne effect, while still an issue, not as big of an issue in qualitative research than quantitative
Because while it changes behavior it can add some richness that you would not normally get
The research just has to keep in mind that some of what they bring to the table affects the participant
Why do researchers in qualitative research gather narrative self report data
to develop a construction of a phenomenon consistent with that of the understanding of the participant
Making a construction of a phenomenon in qualitative researh requies the research to do what
overcome communicaiton barriers and enhance information flow - get unobstructed flow of info between research and participant
What are some of the things to look at during participant observation in qualitative research
physical setting
participants
activities
frequency and duration of activities
process
outcomes- why it did or didnt happen etc
Field Diaries/Notes (Logs)
Records of qual. observations
Can be (1) descriptive observational notes or (2) reflective ones
The notes should show a reconstructable situation but show research reflecting on what is happening to acknowledge they know in a constructivist paradigm they cannot remove themselves so they should be observing and reflecting on the progress
Reflective Notes involve what 3 things
- Researchers Personal Experiences
- Reflections
- Progress in the fields
Unstructured observational methods are an excellent methodd for…
capturing many clinical phenomena and behaviors
In unstructured observational methods, observers may lose objectivity in sampling, viewing and interpreting observations. Why is this ok?
It can be okay as long as we have measures like multiple researchers to prevent one researcher’s emotions from skewing results and we can triangulate some information
Researchers should also be aware of the emotional involvement concern and be able to account for it
It is ok as long as we maintain that they dont get a myopic view on the situation
Success of participant observation in qualitative unstructured observational research depends on…
the observer’s observational and interpersonal skills
T/F: Sampling in qualitative research is guided more by the desire for rich sources of information than by the need for random selection
True
Rationale: Selection of sample members for qualitative research is guided by the desire for information rich sources. The representativeness of the sample is not a key aspect, and random selection is not considered productive
T/F: A focus group involves at least 10-15 people
False
Rationale: A focus group usually involves interviews with small groups ranging in size from 5-10 people
T/F: In qualitative studies observation is unstructured
True
Rationale: Observation with qualitative study is unstructured and occurs in naturalistic settings
