The Use of Theory Part 2: QuaLitative and Mixed Methods

1. The Use of TheoryPart 2: QuaLitativeand Mixed Methods Produced by the Applied Research Center andthe Alvin Sherman Library Video: 11 min.

2. QUALITATIVE Theory Use in Qualitative Methods • The definition of theory remains the same but is typically applied differently in qualitative methods: • The theory provides a broad explanation of behavior and attitudes • Establish a theoretical lens (i.e., orienting lens) • Feminist perspective • Racialized discourse • Critical theory • Starts with an endpoint - a theory that is generated (inductive) • No theory is employed (the inquiry is developed explicitly from participants as seen in phenomenological approaches)

3. QUALITATIVE Theoretical Lens Theory Use in Qualitative Methods • The definition of theory remains the same but is typically applied differently in qualitative methods: • The theory provides a broad explanation of behavior and attitudes • Establish a theoretical lens (i.e., orienting lens) • Feminist perspective • Racialized discourse • Critical theory • Starts with an endpoint - a theory that is generated (inductive) • No theory is employed (the inquiry is developed explicitly from participants as seen in phenomenological approaches)

4. QUALITATIVE Inductive – Grounded Theory Theory Use in Qualitative Methods • The definition of theory remains the same but is typically applied differently in qualitative methods: • The theory provides a broad explanation of behavior and attitudes • Establish a theoretical lens (i.e., orienting lens) • Feminist perspective • Racialized discourse • Critical theory • Starts with an endpoint - a theory that is generated (inductive) • No theory is employed (the inquiry is developed explicitly from participants as seen in phenomenological approaches)

5. QUALITATIVE No Theory Theory Use in Qualitative Methods • The definition of theory remains the same but is typically applied differently in qualitative methods: • The theory provides a broad explanation of behavior and attitudes • Establish a theoretical lens (i.e., orienting lens) • Feminist perspective • Racialized discourse • Critical theory • Starts with an endpoint - a theory that is generated (inductive) • No theory is employed (the inquiry is developed explicitly from participants as seen in phenomenological approaches)

6. QUALITATIVE Paradigms, Theoretical Lens, Foundational Theory Theory Use in Qualitative Methods Sometimes referred to as: • “Paradigms” of social science • Theoretical lens • Foundational theory (same as theoretical lens) • Conflict theory • Marxist theory • Structural functionalism • Symbolic interaction • Feminist perspective • Racialized discourse • Critical theory • Queer theory • Disability inquiry

7. QUALITATIVE Theory Use in Qualitative Methods (cont.) Applications • Theoretical lens or foundational theory • Grounded theory • Does NOT include initial a priori presentation of one of the “big” foundational theories • Critical-reflexive theory

8. QUALITATIVE Types of Theories • Theories can be broken down into types: • Grand theory • Mid-range theory • Micro-level theory

9. QUALITATIVE Examples of Types of Theories Types of Theories • Theories can be broken down into types: • Grand theory • Mid-range theory • Micro-level theory Examples:

10. QUALITATIVE More Examples of Theories Used for Qualitative Methods • Professionalisation theory by Elliot Freidson • Labelling theory by Scheff • Negotiated order theory by Strauss

11. QUALITATIVE The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods Researcher poses generalizations,ortheories, and compares to past experiences and literature Researcher looks for broad patterns, generalizations, or theories from themes or categories Researcher analyzes data to form themes or categories Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher gathers information

12. QUALITATIVE Researcher Gathers Information The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods Researcher gathers information

13. QUALITATIVE Open-Ended Questions and Fieldnotes The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher gathers information

14. QUALITATIVE Analyze Data to Form Themes The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods Researcher analyzes data to form themes or categories Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher gathers information

15. QUALITATIVE Look for Broad Patterns The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods Researcher looks for broad patterns, generalizations, or theories from themes or categories Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher gathers information

16. QUALITATIVE Pose Generalizations or Theories The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods Researcher poses generalizations,ortheories, and compares to past experiences and literature Researcher looks for broad patterns, generalizations, or theories from themes or categories Researcher analyzes data to form themes or categories Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher gathers information

17. Example of a Theoretical Lens Qualitative example with a theoretical lens:Haldenby, A. M., Berman, H., & Forchuk, C. (2007). Homelessness and health in adolescents. Qualitative Health Research, 17(9), 1232–1244.

18. Data Used to Generate Theory Harley, A. E., Buckworth, J., Katz, M. L., Willis, S. K., Odoms-Young, & Heaney, C. A. (2009). Developing long-term physical activity participation: A grounded theory study with African American women. Health Education & Behavior , 36(1).

19. Use of Theory in Mixed Methods • Mixed methods studies may: • Include theory deductively (theory testing) • Quantitatively oriented • Include theory inductively (an emerging pattern) • Qualitatively oriented • Use a theoretical lens and framework to guide the study • Emphasis is equal between QUAL and QUAN

20. Lit Review and Theoretical Perspective in Mixed Methods Parmelee, J. H., Perkins, S. C., & Sayre, J. J. (2007). “What about people our age?” Applying qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover how political ads alienate college students. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 183–199

21. Placement and Citation Chapter 1: Placement of Theory • Chapter 1: Introduction • A brief introduction to the theory can be placed in the Introduction • Chapter 2: Literature Review • A separate section (usually in the early parts of Ch. 2) should be devoted to the identification and description of the theory • Citation – cite the original source of a theory. • Example – Smith and Wadestein (2009) used the Social Learning Theory as the theoretical framework in their study. The citation would look something like this: “…Bandura’s (1977) social learning theory was used as the theoretical…”

22. Placement and Citation Chapter 2: Placement of Theory • Chapter 1: Introduction • A brief introduction to the theory can be placed in the Introduction • Chapter 2: Literature Review • A separate section (usually in the early parts of Ch. 2) should be devoted to the identification and description of the theory • Citation – cite the original source of a theory. • Example – Smith and Wadestein (2009) used the Social Learning Theory as the theoretical framework in their study. The citation would look something like this: “…Bandura’s (1977) social learning theory was used as the theoretical…”

23. Placement and Citation Citation • Chapter 1: Introduction • A brief introduction to the theory can be placed in the Introduction • Chapter 2: Literature Review • A separate section (usually in the early parts of Ch. 2) should be devoted to the identification and description of the theory • Citation – cite the original source of a theory. • Example – Smith and Wadestein (2009) used the social learning theory as the theoretical framework in their study. The text citation would look something like this:”Bandura’s (1977) social learning theory was used as the theoreticalfoundation for Smith and Wadestein’s (2009) study.”

24. Selected References • Anfara, V., & Mertz, N. T. (2006). Theoretical frameworks in qualitative research. Thousand Oaks: Sage. • Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. • Reeves, S., Albert, M., Kuper, A., & Hodges, B. D. (2008). Why use theories in qualitative research? British Medical Journal, (337:a949), 631-634. doi:10.1136/bmj.a949 • Scott, G., & Garner, R. (2013). Doing qualitative research: Designs, methods, and techniques. Boston, MA: Pearson.