introduction to qualitative research methods, design, & data analysis

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Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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Page 1: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

Introduction to Qualitative Research

Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

Page 2: 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:

Page 3: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

Qualitative Research:Funnel Approach

General research questions

Collect data

Narrower research questions

Collect data

Narrower research questions

Conclusions

Page 4: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

Qualitative Research:Inductive Approach

Conclusions

Specific narrow

research question

Collect data

Broader question

Collect data

Broader question

Page 5: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

Qualitative Research Methods

Historical

Survey

Case Study

Observational

Ethnography

Page 6: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 7: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

Qualitative Research Methods:Historical

Potential Problems

Limited to data already availableExcessive reliance on secondary sourcesUncertainty about authenticity & accuracy of sourcesLack of objectivity

Page 8: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 9: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 10: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 11: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

Qualitative Research Methods:Case Study

Potential Problems

Observer (researcher) bias

Lack of generalizability

Requires extensive data collection

Page 12: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 13: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 14: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 15: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 16: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 17: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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

Page 18: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

Multiple data sources

Multiple kinds of data

Multiple data collection strategies

Subjects(data sources)

Data collection strategies

Kinds of data

Qualitative Research Design:Triangulation

Page 19: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

Phenomenologicaldescription

Qualitative Research Design:Design Elements

Working hypothesisTriangulationForeshadowed problemsPhenomenological descriptionStructuralanalysis

WorkinghypothesisTriangulation

Foreshadowedproblems

Structural analysis

Page 20: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data 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

Page 21: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & 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

Page 22: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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).

Page 23: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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.

Page 24: Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods, Design, & Data Analysis

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.