Theory, Sampling, and Data Generation

Question 1

Theory Generation

Answer 1

Developing a theory from the data

Question 2

Theory Verification

Answer 2

Theory is being tested

Question 3

How is theory used in qualitative research?

Answer 3

Theoretical perspective
Explanatory/interpretative
Theory generation
Theory not used explicitly

Question 4

Theoretical Perspective

Answer 4

Overall lens to guide the study.
Shapes the questions asked, data collection, data analysis, etc.

Question 5

Explanatory/interpretative

Answer 5

Theory used to interpret the research findings.
Usually as an up-front or end-point explanation.

Question 6

What is common between these two ways of using theory?

Answer 6

Theory provides a framework, but one that is malleable and can be adjusted based on the participant views.

Question 7

Theory generation

Answer 7

An inductive process of building a theory or model from the data

Question 8

Theory not used explicitly

Answer 8

For example, searching for the essences of participants’ experiences in phenomenology.
But the study still likely stems from some prior conceptual understanding.

Question 9

What sampling does qualitative research use?

Answer 9

Purposeful sampling

Question 10

Purposeful sampling

Answer 10

Recruiting a sample of information-rich participants who will purposefully inform an understanding of the topic being studied.
Individuals need to be accessible, willing to provide information, and distinctive.

Question 11

What are some specific forms of purposeful sampling?

Answer 11

Extreme case: identifying participants who are unusual or represent extremes (also called deviant cases).
Maximum variation: seeking heterogeneity in people, experiences, places, perspectives, etc.; participants represent diversity.
Snowball: participants identifying other potential participants who are deemed fitting to the research purpose.

Question 12

What are some important things to consider when selecting sample for qualitative research?

Answer 12

Number of participants.
-this number is based on the scope of the study, nature of the topic, quality of the data, number of interviews per participants, and study design
-access to participants
-rapport with participants
-flexibility in sampling

Question 13

Multiple Methods (characteristic of qualitative research)

Answer 13

Typically has multiple sources of data.
Spend considerable time in the natural setting.
Collection procedures in qualitative research often involves interviews, observations, documents, and visual and digital data.

Question 14

Interviews

Answer 14

Most common form of qualitative data generation.

Question 15

Types of Interviews

Answer 15

Structured: follow a guide of questions.
Semi-structured: follow guide but can go away from the guide too (component of natural conversation).
Unstructured: no guide, just natural conversation.
Can be one-on-one, focus groups, talking circles.
Can be face to face, over telephone, virtual or remote.

Question 16

Structure of an interview

Answer 16

Start with a grand tour question and follow up with probes.
Interview discussions should be open-ended, clear and singular, centered on understanding your central phenomenon.
Important to build rapport to make sure participant feels comfortable.
Record interview data by audio taping, video recording, and taking field notes.

Question 17

Observations

Answer 17

Researchers go into the natural setting to try to better understand the topic of the study.
Use various senses.
Field notes are taken.
Researchers role can range from complete participant to participant as observer to observer as participant to complete observer.
Role might change throughout the research process (emergent design)
Decisions need to be made on role of researchers, narrow/broad focus, and individual/group of researchers.

Question 18

How might you also collect data?

Answer 18

Documents.
-public or private
-workout log, journal, etc.
Visual/digital data
-pictures, videos, social media, blogs, news interviews, etc.