Download - Qualitative methods
Qualitative Methods
Why would we use them?
What are they like?
How do we assure validity?
Some elaboration on Table 13.1
Quantitative Research
• Emphasis on prediction and regular patterns
• Testing hypotheses with an eye to falsification
• When random sampling is used, generalizable results are obtained
• Report: Statistical in nature, with significance tests and graphs
Qualitative Research
• Emphasis on understanding patterns within contexts
• Generating and verifying hypothesized explanations
• Results are generalized by approximation to the traits of the participants studied
• Report: Rich narrative with direct quotations. May also have graphs or counts.
Table 13.2 – Ways that Qualitative Research is Distinct
Qualitative Research
Design Strategy
Data Collection Strategy
Analysis Strategy
Design – compare with experimental designs
Design Strategies
Naturalistic Inquiry
Emergent design flexibility
Purposeful sampling
Data collection – Compare with Measurement chapters
Data Collection & Fieldwork Strategies
Qualitative Data
Personal experience and
engagement
Empathic neutrality and mindfulness
Dynamic systems
Analysis Strategies - compare with statistical analysis
Analysis Strategies
Unique case orientation
Inductive analysis and creative
synthesis
Holistic perspective
Context sensitivity
Voice, perspective and reflexivity
Think and Talk – Qualitative Possibilities in Quantitative Studies
• Milgram’s obedience studies• The design of survey questions
(do they capture the full richness of the answer?)
• The language acquisition studies (Chinese and American language)
• The Hole in the Wall Studies• The Change-Blindness study
Validity in Qualitative ResearchVa
lidity
Descriptive
Interpretive
Theoretical
Internal
External
Table 13.3 – Code the indicators
• Descriptive validity– Investigator triangulation
• Interpretive validity– Participant feedback– Low-inference descriptors (define “low inference”)
• Theoretical validity– Extended fieldwork– Theory triangulation– Pattern matching– Peer review
Table 13.3 – Code the indicators
• Internal validity(compare with experimental designs)– (Explain ideographic vs nomological causation)– Researcher-as-detective– Methods triangulation– Data triangulation
• External validity (compare with experimental designs)– Naturalistic generalization– Theoretical generalization
Previously viewed: Research on girls’ video games FIRST
Mixed methods: A Girl like meSECOND
Examples
Qualitative researchis used often in nursing and health careresearch, as well as in anthropology, sociology, women’s studies, cultural studies, and political science.
Qualitative Methods
Coming next:
Particular qualitative approaches