Week 3

Question 1

Qualitative research

Answer 1

• theory-building
• outcomes are considered “subjectives”

Question 2

Quantitative research

Answer 2

• theory-testing and decision science
• outcomes are considered “objective”

Question 3

Advantages combining research strategies

Answer 3

• using one method can help in designing the following strategy better
• by applying multiple methods, you can enrich interpretation of findings
• better methodological quality (triangulation)
• better generalizability and convincing results of the research

Question 4

Case study vs. experiment

Answer 4

In a case study, there is consideration of the phenomenon within its real-life context, while in an experiment there is isolation of the phenomenon from its context (manipulation)

Question 5

Case study vs. survey

Answer 5

In a case study, there is a small number of data points and qualitative method of analysis, while in a survey there is a large number of data points and quantitative analysis

Question 6

Case study vs. decision science

Answer 6

In a case study, there is a description or explanation of a phenomenon, while in decision science there is a development of a solution for a problem

Question 7

Cross-sectional

Answer 7

time dimension is not important

Question 8

Longitudinal

Answer 8

change, development, evolution of a concept/phenomenon over time is key

Question 9

Real-time

Answer 9

studying something as it is happening

Question 10

Retrospective

Answer 10

studying something that is already in the past

Question 11

Embedded design

Answer 11

multiple levels of analysis

Question 12

Structured interviews

Answer 12

• short, simple questions
• many closed questions
• easy analysis and comparison
• used when compare opinions
• minimum interaction between participants

Question 13

Semi-structured interviews

Answer 13

• pre-defined topics and questions
• order of questions may change on the go
• additional follow-up questions
• used when you have knowledge of the subject

Question 14

Unstructured interviews

Answer 14

• free-flowing chat on a topic
• follows the lead of interviewee
• questions are asked as they arise
• no two interviews will be the same
• used when no knowledge or theory but need to explore a topic

Question 15

Types of open questions

Answer 15

• Hypothetical questions
• Comparison questions
• Illustrative example questions
• Follow-up questions

Question 16

Hypothetical question

Answer 16

used to explore opinions and ideas
> What in your opinion would be the ideal process?

Question 17

Comparison question

Answer 17

used to understand the differences between two things
> Can you compare how your work was before and after the process change?

Question 18

Illustrative example question

Answer 18

used to gather opinions on a specific scenario of situation
> Your colleague told me about… what do you think about this?

Question 19

Follow-up question

Answer 19

important to gain deeper understanding of a response

Question 20

Leading questions

Answer 20

questions that lead the interviewee to the answer that you are expecting. Avoid these because the are very dangerous due to bias

Question 21

Deductive approach

Answer 21

When the study is informed by previous theory and concepts (top-bottom approach)
- more structured

Question 22

Inductive approach

Answer 22

when there is no previous theory (bottom-up approach)
- less structured

Question 23

Abductive approach

Answer 23

some parts of data are informed by existing theory

Question 24

First-level codes

Answer 24

descriptive, formed from data, tend to summarise data segments without interpretation

Question 25

Second-level codes

Answer 25

(categories, themes) are interpretive, analytical and involve inference beyond examing the data

Question 26

Third-level codes

Answer 26

integrate themes into theoretical dimensions to develop theory, highest level of analysis, abstraction, and inference

Question 27

Construct validity

Answer 27

refers to the accuracy of the operationalization of the construct

Question 28

Internal validity

Answer 28

determines if the collected data and developed theoretical ideas have a strong link

Question 29

External validity

Answer 29

deals with how much the findings can be generalised beyond the context

Question 30

Reliability

Answer 30

whether the findings will be the same if the research is replicated

Question 31

Threats qualitative research

Answer 31

• Informant bias: personal topic
• Researcher bias: personal connection
• Idiosyncratic findings: cases/informants unique > hard to generalise