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