introduction to qualitative research methods, design, & data analysis
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Introduction to Qualitative Research
Methods, Design, & Data Analysis
Qualitative Research
Starts with general question or problem
No pre-defined hypothesis
Uses a purposeful sam-ple, not a random one
Uses a relatively small sample
Data collected with semi-structure & unstructured instrumentsPresents results descriptivelyUtilizes researcher’s aware-ness of own orientations, biases, experiences that might affect data collection & interpretation
Characteristics:
Qualitative Research:Funnel Approach
General research questions
Collect data
Narrower research questions
Collect data
Narrower research questions
Conclusions
Qualitative Research:Inductive Approach
Conclusions
Specific narrow
research question
Collect data
Broader question
Collect data
Broader question
Qualitative Research Methods
Historical
Survey
Case Study
Observational
Ethnography
Qualitative Research Methods:Historical
Purpose
To learn about causes, effects or trends of past events that may help to explain present events & anticipate future eventsUses primary, secondary & tertiary data sources
Procedure
Define the problemFormulate hypotheses or questions (contin-ues throughout study)Systematically collect dataObjectively evaluate dataConfirm or disconfirm hypotheses
Qualitative Research Methods:Historical
Potential Problems
Limited to data already availableExcessive reliance on secondary sourcesUncertainty about authenticity & accuracy of sourcesLack of objectivity
Qualitative Research Methods:Survey
Purpose
To determine the current status of a population with respect to one or more variablesCan be qualitative or quantitative, depending on data sought
Qualitative Research Methods:Survey
Procedure Define the problem or
question Formulate hypotheses
(continues throughout the study)
Develop the instrument (includes validation & field test)
Collect data Analyze data
Potential Problems Inadequate response Inclusion of
unrelated items on questionnaire
Poorly worded items Complex items Leading questions Assuming facts not
necessarily in evidence
Qualitative Research Methods:Case Study
Purpose
To determine the factors, & relationships among the factors, that have resulted in current behavior or status of subject
Focus is on a single subject or unit (could be multiple individuals)
Procedure Determine the case
(individual, group, or environment) to study
Determine data collection strategies & data to be collected
Collect the data Analyze the data
Qualitative Research Methods:Case Study
Potential Problems
Observer (researcher) bias
Lack of generalizability
Requires extensive data collection
Qualitative Research Methods:Observational
Purpose
to determine current status of a given phenomenon; to derive specific, test-able hypotheses that explain observed behavior
May be used prior to quantitative study
Qualitative Research Methods:Observational
Procedure
Determine phenome-non to be observedIdentify what specific behaviors do & do not match the target phenomenonDefine the observa-tion periodRecord observationsAnalyze data
Potential Problems
Lack of observer reliability
Untrained observers
Inaccurate recording
Observer bias
Response set
Halo effect
Observer bias
Qualitative Research Methods:Ethnography
Purpose
To determine the fac-tors & relationships among the factors that result in a subject’s current status in a setting natural to the subject
Relies on extensive & detailed description
Procedure Refine the problem &
setting of interest Decide on most
appropriate & effective level of participation
Develop “working” hypotheses
Determine initial data collection strategies
Collect data over time
Qualitative Research Methods:Ethnography
Potential Problems Results can be
difficult to analyze Findings are nearly
impossible to replicate
Small sample size Generally fairly
costly Time consuming
Qualitative Research Methods:Triangulation
Method to enhance the validity & reliability of qualitative research
Enhances accuracy of interpretation
Confirms that the data collected is not due to chance or circum-stances
Qualitative Research Design:Triangulation
Collect data from multiple sources
Collect data in multiple ways from subjects
Collect different kinds of data in multiple ways from multiple subjects
For example: May interview teachers,
principals & parents May interview &
observe students
May review student records, interview teachers, observe students
Multiple data sources
Multiple kinds of data
Multiple data collection strategies
Subjects(data sources)
Data collection strategies
Kinds of data
Qualitative Research Design:Triangulation
Phenomenologicaldescription
Qualitative Research Design:Design Elements
Working hypothesisTriangulationForeshadowed problemsPhenomenological descriptionStructuralanalysis
WorkinghypothesisTriangulation
Foreshadowedproblems
Structural analysis
The Data
Generally collected in the form of…
field notes, diaries audio & video tapes, copies of documents, narrative descriptions
Analysis
Some form of analysis usually takes place at the same time data is being collected
Researcher seeks to identify patterns or trends
Qualitative Research:Data Analysis
Qualitative Research:Data Analysis
Qualitative data may be analyzed by a 3-part strategy:
reducing the data coding the data synthesizing the data
Homework #9
This assignment will require that you imagine a study of your own that you can apply either the Funnel approach or the Inductive approach to. Once you have completed the assignment according to the instructions on the next slide, post them to the Bulletin Board, Forum HW 9 in the prescribed format (slide #3).
Instructions
Re-state either the re-search problem you be-gan the class with, or one you develop for this assignment, in the form of a question.
Brainstorm the setting, the subjects, & the data collection strategies.
Using one of the two approaches, develop the scenario of your research. Question #1 is the question you begin with, and the final question should be followed by your conclusions.
See examples on pages 107-110 of the coursepack.
Posting Instructions
On Forum HW 9, post your homework in the following form:
1. Beginning research question2. Description of setting, subjects, data
collection strategies.3. Narrower or broader research question.4. Repeat data collection description.5. Repeat 3 & 4.6. Final research question.