Qualitative research

QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH

Contrasted with Quantitative Research

Why Use Qualitative Methods?
To understand human behaviour and behavioural changes
To use people’s own words, explanations
To allow the data to lead to a theory
To explore beyond correlation to cause and effect

The Process

Research Techniques
ETHNOGRAPHY
INTERVIEWS
FOCUS GROUPS
NARRATIVES
DOCUMENTS
SAMPLING

Research Techniques
Ethnnography
The researcher lives and/or works among the group being studied
Started with Cultural Anthropology
Now used in business and other social sciences

Research Techniques
1. Interviewing—guidelines
Sample the correct population
Ask questions that give you the specific data you need
Make sure the respondent understands each question
Conduct the interviews at a time and place where both the interviewer and the respondent can concentrate

Research Techniques
2. Focus Groups—need…
A skilled moderator who has specific training for conducting focus groups
Specific eligibility criteria for participants
Formal speaking protocol to avoid bias
Questions that encourage a two to three minute thoughtful response or opinion

Research Techniques
3. Narratives
Record stories. To ensure best results…
Pilot a narrative data collection mechanism with the population that specifically interests you.
Use detailed instructions in that pilot group.
Refine the mechanism and instructions for the actual group

Research Techniques
4. Documents
“Not prepared at the request of the researcher”
Public records (census records, newspapers, court docs, company statements, books, etc.)
Personal documents(diaries, photos, letters, wills, poems, etc.)

Research Techniques
5. Sampling
The general rule in qualitative research is that you continue to sample until you are not getting any new information or are no longer gaining new insights. (Or until deadlines come up, or funding runs out, etc.)

Techniques of Analysis
Content Analysis
Grounded Theory
Narrative Summary Analyses
Triangulation

Validity and Reliability
Some difficulties
Would people say the same things if asked again to be in a focus group?
How does one account for good or bad days for interviews and narratives?
Generalizability is not the main aim in qualitative research, but validity and reliability can assist in this aim

Which disciplines would you expect to need and make the most use of qualitative research methods?Two Examples…

Which of these qualitative methods might you use?

Qualitative research

by Alwyn Lau on Jun 06, 2011

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

2 Embeds 100

Statistics

Qualitative research — Presentation Transcript

http://tlc-kdu.blogspot.com	99
url_unknown	1