Qualitative Research Methods for Policy, Practice, and ResearchKENDALL COTTON BRONK, PHD

AgendaThings to think about before getting started:

1. Assumptions undergirding qualitative research

2. Characteristics of qualitative research

3. Ethical issues

Conducting research:

4. Selecting a sample

5. Interviewing basics

6. Enhancing validity

Qualitative vsQuantitative Inquiry

Assumptions undergirding qualitative researchWe can understand reality, but multiple realities exist◦ Reality is socially constructed◦ We want to understand our participants’

perspective on particular events and experiences

To understand others’ realities, we need to interact with them directly ◦ We usually do this through observations, interviews,

and focus groups

Characteristics of qualitative inquiry◦ Qualitative research:

1. Attempts to make sense of phenomena in terms of the meanings people people bring to them

2. Findings are specific to particular individuals in a particular time, at a particular place

3. Findings are interpreted by the researcher(s)4. Often includes multiple data sources5. Enables study designs to emerge or change

Considering ethical issues◦ Gain informed consent

◦ Get permission from gatekeepers

◦ Avoid deceiving participants

◦ Have a plan in place in case you witness something illegal

◦ Avoid stereotypes or labels

◦ Respect participants’ privacy

Selecting a sample- Purposeful sampling approaches include:

◦ Maximum variation sampling◦ Homogenous sampling◦ Extreme case sampling◦ Total population sampling◦ Criterion sampling

Determining sample size

◦ Inverse relationship between amount of information participants can provide and amount of participants needed (Patton, 2015)

Interview basics- Interview types:

- Unstructured- Semi-structured- Structured

- Semi-structured interview protocol construction- Warm-up questions- Grand tour questions- Pointed questions- Probe throughout

Establishing validity

“Validity is not a commodity that can be purchased with techniques.”

Brinberg & McGrath, 1985, p. 13)

Further readingCreswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design (3rd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Maxwell, J. A. (2013). Qualitative research design (3rd 3d.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Merriam, S. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., & DeVault, M. L. (2016). Introduction to qualitative research methods (4th ed.). New York: Wiley.

Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: Design and methods. Los Angeles, CA: Sage Publications.

Thank you!KCBRONK@CGU.EDU