Week 2 Flashcards
How is qualitative research defined?
It analyzes trends or themes described in words, emphasizing the lived experience of individuals or groups.
How is qualitative research different from quantitative research?
Qualitative research is inductive and explores human experiences, while quantitative research is descriptive or confirmatory, analyzing variables and statistical relationships.
What are the three important questions to consider when selecting a research design?
- What is worth knowing about the topic?
- What data are most useful?
- How can the design be appropriately matched to the question?
What are the five primary qualitative research designs?
- Document/content analysis
- Case study
- Ethnography
- Descriptive phenomenology
- Grounded theory
What is document or content analysis?
A detailed examination of documents or materials to identify patterns, themes, or biases. Often combined with other research designs.
What is a case study?
The study of a particular individual, problem, or event over a specific period. It may involve a single case or multiple cases.
What is a limitation of case studies?
The results are difficult to generalize to other situations, lacking external validity.
What is ethnographic research?
The study of a group that shares a common culture, often conducted in natural settings over extended periods.
What is descriptive phenomenology?
A research design focused on understanding how individuals experience a certain phenomenon or lived experience.
What is grounded theory?
A design for creating theory by systematically collecting and analyzing data, often used to investigate social behavior and interactions.
What are the five stages of grounded theory?
- Data collection
- Coding
- Concept
- Category
- Theme
What are the most frequently used data collection methods in qualitative research?
Observations, interviews, and focus groups.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of observations in qualitative research?
Advantage: Flexibility
Disadvantage: Researcher presence may alter participants’ behavior.
What is an unstructured interview?
A qualitative interview where respondents are not limited in their answers, allows flexibility.
What is a focus group, and when is it useful?
A group interview with 10-12 individuals to discuss a topic. It is useful when time is limited, group interaction is informative, or interpretation is difficult.
