Week Twelve - Qualitative Methods

Question 1

CRITICISMS OF QUANTITATIVE METHOD

Answer 1

• It can be quite artificial
• It can over-simplify why may be complex phenomena
• It can be of limited use for some topics - for logistical or ethical reasons it may not always be possible to study a topic in an experimental way

Question 2

What is the emphasis in qualitative research?

Answer 2

The emphasis is on drawing theory from data, rather than testing theory with data.

Question 3

What does qualitative research aim to understand?

Answer 3

It aims to understand the individual’s experience of the world and how they construct that view.

Question 4

What are the 4 quality factors in qualitative research? What do they each mean?

Answer 4

Dependability
The knowledge from the research is obtained in a rigorous and systematic way.

Auditable
The research process has been recorded in detail

Transferable
The extent to which the research findings can be transferred to other findings and groups

Idiographic
Findings have an intrinsic worth even if they are not transferable

Question 5

What are some ways of collecting data?

Answer 5

Interviews
Focus groups
Participant observation
Newspapers, films, websites
Diaries, blogs and written accounts
Social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter

Question 6

What are two types of interviews?

Answer 6

structured and semi-structured interviews

Question 7

Define characteristics of a structured interview

Answer 7

In a structured interview the researcher has a pre-set list of questions

This approach is often used in conjunction with set response options

Question 8

Pros and Cons of structured interviews

Answer 8

Pros
Questions are prepared in advance and are therefore (hopefully) well formulated.
It is easier to compare responses among participants, particularly if set response options are used.

Cons
Questions are inflexible with no opportunity to follow-up on unexpected but interesting comments
Questions may not be applicable to every participant

Question 9

define characteristics of semi-structured interviews.

Answer 9

Also known as qualitative interviews or in-depth interviews

In a semi-structured interview the researcher has an ‘interview schedule’, where they work with a list of questions but will also deviate from these questions if it is appropriate

One of the additional intentions of this is create a more conversational feel to the interview

Question 10

Pros and Cons of semi-structured interviews

Answer 10

Pros
The participant is free to raise important issues that the researcher may not have anticipated, which in turn can provide richer information.

Cons
It becomes even more difficult to generalise the outcome of the research to different populations
It can be difficult to keep the interview on track
The researcher has to come up with questions on the spot.

Question 11

What are the 3 forms of interview probes?

Answer 11

Detail oriented
Elaboration
Clarification

Question 12

What is a Detail oriented probe?

Answer 12

Asking the participant for more detail, such when an event took place or where it happened

Question 13

What is an Elaboration probe?

Answer 13

Using either a question or a gesture (e.g. head nodding) to encourage a participant to reveal more information about a topic, or to ask for an example.

Question 14

What is a Clarification probe?

Answer 14

These are used when the interviewer has misunderstood something, and should always be phrased in terms of it being a mistake on the part of the researcher rather than the participant.

Question 15

The 6 key steps in an interview structure?

Answer 15

Establish a rapport

Describe the purpose and nature of the interview

Conduct the interview

End the interview

Transcription

Analyse the data

Question 16

What are some good interviewer attributes?

Answer 16

Familiarity with the topic
Clear and friendly manner of speaking with no use of jargon
Flexibility and willingness to change the direction of the interview if necessary (in a semi-structured interview)
Critical enough to challenge participants on what is being said and identifying inconsistencies in replies

Question 17

What are focus groups?

Answer 17

When a researcher speaks to several participants at once

Question 18

Who should do transcribing?

Answer 18

The interviewer
The lead researcher
The assistant

Question 19

Advantages of the Jefferson system

Answer 19

Does not use special symbols so standard computer is adequate.

Allows the researcher to record not just what was said but how it was said

Question 20

Jefferson Symbols

Answer 20

(0.2) = The length of a pause between words
(.) = A micropause – short but noticeable
::: = An extended sound, such as ‘Emmm’
[ ] = Two people speaking at the same time
= Two people overlapping slightly
> < = Speaking at a faster rate
_ = Emphasising a particular syllable
* = Higher pitch
ºwordº = Word is quietly spoken
(??) = Inaudible speech, sometimes shown as xxxx

Question 21

What is the Thematic Analysis?

Answer 21

Thematic analysis is a method of analyzing qualitative data. It is usually applied to a set of texts, such as interview transcripts. The researcher closely examines the data to identify common themes – topics, ideas and patterns of meaning that come up repeatedly.

Question 22

When is using thematic analysis useful?

Answer 22

There is no strong theoretical perspective to drive the analysis

The data consists of written transcripts or documents such as newspapers or blogs

The data is rich in the sense of containing a lot of detail and covering a lot of ground.

Question 23

All various types of thematic analysis operate on the basis of what?

Answer 23

Identifying themes.

Question 24

What is a theme?

Answer 24

A theme refers to a word or phrase which represents a pattern of issues raised across and within transcripts or focus groups or interviews, or written materials such as diaries.

Question 25

Define Braun and Clarke’s model of stages of thematic analysis

Answer 25

Step 1 - Data Familiarisation
Step 2 – Initial Coding Generation
Step 3 – Searching for Themes Based on Initial Coding
Step 4 – Review of Themes
Step 5 – Theme Definition and Labelling
Step 6 – Report Writing

Question 26

Define stage 1 of thematic analysis

Answer 26

To start the researcher must become familiar with the data

Ideally this is done by writing the transcription, as this
gives the researcher the deepest understanding of the material.

If the researcher does not transcribe the data then they should at least read the transcript whilst listening to a recording of the interview.

Question 27

Define stage 2 of thematic analysis

Answer 27

Going through each line of the transcript and adding a one or two word label that sums up what is being said in that line.

may be done for just what the participant says or it may also include what the interviewer says.

A very common mistake – at this stage you just label what is said, you do not try to interpret it, even if this means that sometimes when adding codes it feels like you are stating the obvious.

Question 28

Define stage 3 of thematic analysis

Answer 28

As you work through the transcription you will start to see that certain codes are repeated and that some appear to be linked together

Question 29

Define stage 4 of thematic analysis

Answer 29

need to make sure that your conclusions are justified – the themes need to be supported by codes and the codes need to be supported by evidence, specifically line numbers on the transcription.

Question 30

Define stage 5 of thematic analysis

Answer 30

Once themes have been identified they need to be examined and clearly defined.

This involves identifying the word that is the most accurate description of a theme

Ensure that there is no overlap between themes, may identify sub themes

Question 31

Define stage 6 of thematic analysis

Answer 31

In addition we have to be much more selective when presenting qualitative research. It would be infeasible to include full transcripts, so instead individual quotes will normally be used to illustrate the codes and themes identified.

Question 32

Why is qualitative research treated with scepticism?

Answer 32

There will always be a temptation for the researcher to use quotes that support their own personal viewpoint

Question 33

What are some strengths of thematic analysis? (5)

Answer 33

It is a MORE FLEXIBLE system that can be used with data from a variety of sources.

It is the MOST EASILY LEARNED system and therefore one that novice researchers often find it best to start with.

The outcome of the analysis can normally be understood by non-academics.

It can normally be EASILY UNDERSTOOD by members of the target population that the research was focussing on

It can be used to process LARGE AMOUNTS OF DATA than other types of qualitative analysis as it is a QUICKER and SIMPLER process (although keep in mind that ‘large’ is a relative term in qualitative analysis).

Question 34

What are some limitations of thematic analysis? (3)

Answer 34

It can be difficult to distinguish between themes identified because of frequency and those identified for impact or importance.

There is a need for caution when interpreting – the more interpretation the analyst engages in, the further their analysis becomes removed from the speaker’s original words and meanings.

Codes which do not obviously contribute to a specific theme or codes which contradict other codes may be ignored or minimised.

Question 35

What do we base the type of analysis we use (in qualitative research) on?

Answer 35

The choice is based on the nature of the study and the philosophical stance of the researcher

Question 36

Why is Thematic analysis one of the simplest forms of qualitative analysis?

Answer 36

As is identifies themes in the text through the use of coding

Question 37

What is a criticism of thematic analysis?

Answer 37

Lacks defines steps

Question 38

Why has thematic analysis become increasingly popular?

Answer 38

The fact that it can be easily understood by the public

Question 39

What is the emphasis on in focus groups?

Answer 39

In a focus group the emphasis is on the interaction between the individuals