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An Overview of Qualitative Research

An Overview of Qualitative Research. Quantitative Research Control Manipulation Empirical data Deductive : from general to specific Test hypotheses Generalization Populations. Qualitative Research No control No manipulation In-depth descriptions Unstructured interviews

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An Overview of Qualitative Research

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  1. An Overview of Qualitative Research

  2. Quantitative Research Control Manipulation Empirical data Deductive : from general to specific Test hypotheses Generalization Populations Qualitative Research No control No manipulation In-depth descriptions Unstructured interviews Participant observation Inductive: from specific to general Patterns or themes Not able to generalize Individual Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

  3. Types of Qualitative Research Qualitative Approaches Used by All • Phenomenology: examine human experiences through the descriptions of the meanings of these experiences provided by the people involved. • Grounded theory: data are collected and analyzed and then a theory is developed that is grounded in the data.

  4. Qualitative Approaches Used by All • Ethnography: involves the collection and analysis of data about cultural group. • Historical: concerned with the identification, location, evaluation, and synthesis of data from the past.

  5. Steps in Qualitative Research

  6. 1. Identify the Phenomenon to Study • General to more focused • Broad statements • Includes the group that will be studied • Purpose statement

  7. 2. Select the Research Design • Research design depends on the phenomenon that will be studied. • Phenomenology, Grounded theory…..etc

  8. 3. Review the Literature • Debate on when to do • May bias the study results • Preferred at the end of the study • Tells how results fit with the body of knowledge

  9. 4. Select the Sample • Smaller in size (10–12) • No set rules • Saturation is more important • Saturation: the researcher is hearing a repetition of themes or ideas as additional participants are interviewed.

  10. 5. Gain Entry to Research Site • Research in field • IRB approval is important • Key informants may be used

  11. 6. Protect the Rights of Participants • Anonymity is not a consideration • Confidentiality is very important • Demographic information • Ethical considerations

  12. 7. Collect the Data • Interview is the most common method in qual. Research. • Face to face or telephone call. • Generally semistructured rather than structured. • Participation observation: requires researcher become a part of the setting. • Open ended questionnairers, life histories, diaries, personal collections of letters and photographs, official documents. • Focus group: consists of a small group of individuals meeting together and being asked questions, by a moderator, about certain topics.

  13. 7. Collect the Data • Reliability in Qual. Res.: “repeatability of scientific observations, and sources that could influence the stability and consistency of those observations” • Validity: “reflects reality, and the meaning of the data is accurately interpreted”.

  14. 7. Collect the Data • Generalizability is not a consideration • Qualitative studies are generally not replicated because findings of one study could bias the results of another.

  15. 8. Analyze the Data • Begins with data collection • Is more complex to analyze • No Universal Rules • Uses words not numbers • Massive amount of information • May take months to interpret

  16. 8. Analyze the Data • Content Analysis • Categories of data • Variations based on research design • Coding of statements • Themes developed from coded data • The “storyteller” concept • Software Programs

  17. 9. Communicate the Study Results • All research needs to be reported • e.g. journals, conferences, posters,…

  18. Combining Qualitative and Quantitative Methods • Triangulation • Combining the two strengthens studies • Ruling out rival explanations for results • Valuing both methods by the researcher

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