Week 8: Qualitative & Arts-Based Design

Question 1

What do the words “this study seeks to explore” indicate about research design?

Answer 1

The research design is likely qualitative

Question 2

What do the words “this study seeks to analyze and examine” indicate about research design?

Answer 2

The research design is likely quantitative

Question 3

What are some basic principles of qualitative research? (6)

Answer 3

-Values context
-Recognizes multiple realities and does not seek to generalize
-Values subjectivity and requires researcher reflexivity
-Exploratory research question with no pre-conceived hypothesis/definition of terms
-Non-probability sampling and qualitative data collection (stories, photos, etc.)
-Data analysis uses inductive reasoning (general principles drawn from specific observations)

Question 4

What are some characteristics of sampling methods in qualitative research? (3)

Answer 4

-Typically convenience sampling; random sampling very rare
-Participants much be knowledgeable on the subject, willing to talk, and represent a range of perspectives within the target population
-Selection continues until a saturation point is reached (new data no longer adds to existing themes/patterns)

Question 5

*What are the five types of qualitative research design?

Answer 5

1. Phenomenology
2. Ethnography
3. Case study
4. Biography
5. Grounded theory

Question 6

What characteristics set the qualitative research interview process apart? (3)

Answer 6

-Starts with simple questions to gather background information and build rapport
-Continues with just a few general, open-ended questions and non-directive prompts
-Strives for depth; questions are not standardized and can vary between participants

Question 7

How are qualitative research interview skills different from clinical ones?

Answer 7

-No reflection of feelings, paraphrasing, etc.
-Only goal is data collection
-Audio recording is used instead of note taking

Question 8

Define “storywork” in the context of qualitative research

Answer 8

Storytelling with the goal of meaning-making related to colonization, trauma, and injustice; incorporates Indigenous worldviews, cultural rituals, and the four Rs of Indigenous research

Question 9

What are the four Rs of Indigenous research?

Answer 9

1. Respect
2. Responsibility
3. Reverence
4. Reciprocity

Question 10

What role do oral histories play in qualitative research?

Answer 10

To reflect the experiences of marginalized groups, particularly when: written records are absent/have been omitted, there is a cultural tradition of passing history through verbal narratives, or there is a concern that cultural history is being/will be lost

Question 11

What is the significance of feminist oral history as a source of research data?

Answer 11

It is used to develop socio-political understandings, explore the meanings of events through a gendered lens, facilitate understanding among social classes, and contribute to social justice/silenced voices being heard

Question 12

What is testimonio?

Answer 12

An act of resistance and method of identifying patterns/social systems of oppression; traditionally marginalized people write and speak for themselves in order to resist being seen as only anthropological subjects, to tell authentic witness narratives, and to build accounts of collective memory/identity

Question 13

What is a sharing circle, in relation to qualitative research?

Answer 13

An open-structured method of data collection which follows cultural protocols including/reflecting: direct involvement of the community; a reciprocal relationship between participant and researcher; and goals including learning, healing, self-determination, and decolonization

Question 14

What makes a focus group different from in-depth interviews in qualitative research? (3)

Answer 14

-Have two moderators (the second takes notes)
-Sampling must account for group members working well together and respect for confidentiality
-Requires moderators to explain how a focus group is different from group therapy or a support group

Question 15

What are the possible levels of researcher engagement in participant observation? (4)

Answer 15

Non-participatory
-Covert (hidden)
-Overt (known, but does not participate)

Participatory
-Covert (involved in group, but disguised)
-Overt (involved, with the group being aware)

Question 16

What are the two greatest areas of risk in participant observation?

Answer 16

1. Reactive effects
2. Ethics

Question 17

What considerations need to be made when entering into participant observation? (2)

Answer 17

-Initial “background work” is necessary, including informal interaction to build rapport
-Researcher(s) should be ready to explain their rationale and the benefits for participants

Question 18

What is a “gatekeeper” in participant observation (qualitative research)?

Answer 18

A key informant who can determine access to a field and/or other potential respondents

Question 19

What are the three types of note-taking in participatory observation (qualitative research)?

Answer 19

Jottings: brief notes taken in the field

Field notes: based on jottings and written as soon as possible after observation; includes direct and paraphrased quotes, context, researcher’s thoughts and feelings, and visual material as appropriate; takes up to three times as long as the observation period

Daily log: a daily record of activities, sentiment, and perceptions

Question 20

What is “ethnography”, in the context of qualitative research?

Answer 20

A study of ethnicity/culture in its natural environment; the researcher makes interpretation-based notes as they observe, interview, and gather data

Question 21

What are the four types of ethnography?

Answer 21

Auto-ethnography: researcher reflects on their own experience

Collaborative ethnography: researchers each reflect on their own experiences, collaborating in the process

Duo-ethnography: findings show a dialogue/co-construction of the experience

Institutional ethnography: aims to explore and analyze how people’s daily activities are embedded into institutional arrangements and ruling relations, with an emancipatory goal

Question 22

*What are the four essential criterion for establishing trustworthiness in qualitative research?

Answer 22

1. Credibility: accurately reflecting the views of participants
2. Confirmability: findings are supported by other sources
3. Transferability: research audience feels that findings relate to their own unique context
4. Dependability: researchers did what they said they would and adhered to their rationale for each step of the research process

Question 23

What is the positivist equivalent to credibility?

Answer 23

Internal validity: the extent to which alternative explanations are ruled out

(vs. credibility: whether findings accurately reflect the views of participants)

Question 24

How can credibility be increased in qualitative research? (7)

Answer 24

-Prolonged engagement
-Persistent observation
-Triangulation
-Referential adequacy (compared to archived data)
-Peer debriefing
-Member checks
-Reflexive journal (including cultural review)

Question 25

What is the positivist equivalent to transferability?

Answer 25

External validity: the extent to which findings can be generalized to the population beyond the sample

(vs. transferability: the extent to which the audience of your research considers your findings to apply to their context)

Question 26

How can transferability be increased in qualitative research? (3)

Answer 26

-Detailed description
-Purposive sampling
-Reflexive journaling

Question 27

What is the positivist equivalent to dependability?

Answer 27

Reliability: the consistency/dependability of pre-determined measures

(vs. dependability: whether researchers did what they said they would do, according to their stated rationale for each step of the research process)

Question 28

How can dependability be increased in qualitative research? (2)

Answer 28

-Dependability audit (an independent party reviews all steps of the research)
-Reflexive journaling

Question 29

What is the positivist equivalent to confirmability?

Answer 29

Objectivity: the researcher is separate from the data collection and steps are taken to avoid researcher bias

(vs. confirmability: the extent to which findings are supported by other sources)

Question 30

How can confirmability be increased in qualitative research? (2)

Answer 30

-Confirmability audit (data and interpretations are supported by other materials: quotes, existing literature, other interpreters, etc.)
-Reflexive journaling (demonstrates how the researcher got to the final interpretation)

Question 31

What are arts-based research methods?

Answer 31

The use of artistic strategies as a means to facilitate participants expressing themselves and their experiences in a more holistic way than mainstream approaches; typically falls within socially just research designs (transformative, Indigenous, etc.) and can include the use of photos, videos, drawings, collages, sculpture, etc.

Question 32

What are some examples of arts-based research methods? (4)

Answer 32

-Photovoice
-Body mapping
-Object/symbol-based reflections
-Beading

Question 33

How is knowledge created by arts-based research methods?

Answer 33

-Using art as a springboard for conversation about participants’ experiences and the meaning they assign to the artwork
-Using colour, materials, etc. to symbolize and communicate meaning

Question 34

*What are the six main data collection methods in qualitative research?

Answer 34

-In-depth interviews
-Focus groups
-Storytelling
-Oral histories
-Testimonies
-Participant observation