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1.1 Define qualitative research. 1.2 Describe the purpose of qualitative research. 1.3 Identify four unique characteristics of qualitative research.
2.1 Describe the six steps of the qualitative research process. 2.2 Compare the six steps used to conduct qualitative research with the six steps used to conduct quantitative research.
3.1 Describe the primary difference among qualitative research approaches. 3.2 Identify nine qualitative research approaches and discuss the unique characteristics of each.
5.1 Define the term validity and identify two of its components.
6.1 Describe four issues Guba suggests the researcher address in order to establish trustworthiness. 6.2 Describe five issues Maxwell suggests the researcher address to establish understanding. 6.3 Describe thirteen strategies Wolcott believes will enhance validity.
7.1 Define the term reliability. 7.2 Discuss how reliability should be viewed in qualitative research.
Describe the relationship between validity and reliability in qualitative research. 8.1 Discuss why generalizability is NOT an issue in qualitative research.
Definition and purpose of qualitative research General steps involved in qualitative research Qualitative research approaches Characteristics of qualitative research Validity, reliability, and generalizability Ethics
Qualitative research is the collection, analysis, and interpretation of comprehensive narrative data in order to gain insights into a particular phenomenon of interest
Useful for describing and answering questions about participants and contexts
Objective 1.1
Provide insight into the complexity of common occurrences Provide specific concrete details to guide understanding in a particular setting
Objectives 1.2 and 1.3
Provide insight into the local meanings that activities and practices have for participants Develop a comparative understanding of phenomena as experienced by different participants in different settings
Objective 1.3
Identify the research topic Review the literature Select the participants Collect data Analyze the data Report the results
Nine approaches
Case study
An effort to seek an understanding of a single person or entity An effort to describe and analyze all or part of the culture of a community by identifying and describing participants practices and beliefs An effort to compare several cultures with one another
Ethnography
Ethology
Objective 3.2
Ethnomethodology
An effort to examine peoples understanding of their daily activities An effort to derive theory grounded in the perspectives of the participants An effort to understand the meaning of an individuals experiences
Objective 3.2
Grounded theory
Phenomenology
Symbolic interaction
An effort to seek common understandings that emerge to give meaning to participants interactions An effort to seek a solution or improvement to a practical problem in the setting in which it is occurring An effort to seek to understand the past by studying documents, relics, and interviews
Objective 3.2
Action research
Historical research
Different social contexts are being studied in each approach The participants are selected for different reasons in each approach
Objective 3.1
Researchers immerse themselves in the situation The data reflects the participants perspectives Sources of data are real-world situations or natural contexts Data is narrative in nature Researchers focus on personal interactions with participants
Objective 4.1
Researchers avoid early decisions or assumptions about the study Data are analyzed inductively Methods provide clear, detailed information reflecting participants voices
Objective 4.1
Technical Issues
Validity
The degree to which the qualitative data collected accurately gauges what is being measured Two components
Trustworthiness Understanding
Objective 5.1
Technical Issues
Validity
Trustworthiness
Credibility taking into account all the complexities in the study and addressing problems that are not easily explained Transferability including descriptive, context-relevant statements so the reader can identify with the setting Dependability collecting stable data Confirmability assuring the neutrality and objectivity of the data
Objective 6.1
Technical Issues
Validity
Understanding
Descriptive validity the factual accuracy of the account Interpretive validity the meaning attributed to the behaviors or words of the participants Theoretical validity the explanation of the phenomenon being studied in relation to a theory Evaluative validity sufficient objectivity in reporting data to avoid bias, preconceived judgments, or evaluations
Objective 6.2
Technical Issues
Participate at the study site for a prolonged period of time Use persistent observation Use peer debriefing Collect mechanically recorded data Use member checks Establish structural corroboration/coherence Establish referential adequacy
Objective 6.3
Technical Issues
Collect detailed descriptive data Develop detailed descriptions of the context Overlap methods (i.e., multi-methods) Establish an audit trail Practice triangulation Practice reflexivity
Objective 6.3
Technical Issues
Reliability
The consistency with which data measures what is being attempted to be measured over time Qualitative perspective
The reliability of the techniques that are being used to collect data
Technical Issues
Generalizability
The applicability of findings to settings and contexts different from the one in which they were obtained Internal-external validity issues revisited
A depth of understanding can only be achieved from a few participants in a very limited number of contexts Generalizability is therefore very limited Qualitative researchers are primarily concerned with validity and reliability and to a much lesser extent generalizability
Objective 8.1
Technical Issues
Talk little, listen a lot Record observation accurately Begin writing early Let readers see for themselves Report fully Be candid Seek feedback Write accurately
Ethical Issues
Ethics can be considered in terms of how the researcher treats the participants in the research setting. The nature of qualitative research provides the potential for conflict and harm.
Qualitative research is intimate there is little distance between the researcher and the participants Qualitative research is open-ended the nature of the process requires the use of an emergent design as the situation unfolds
Objectives 9.1 and 9.2
Ethical Issues
Researchers should have an ethical perspective that is close to their personal ethical position Informed consent should take the form of a dialogue that mutually shapes the research and the results
Confidentiality is more complicated even with the use of pseudonyms Consider the use of a video tape to illustrate a point being made
Objective 9.4
Ethical Issues
You should be able to identify broader social principles that are an integral part of who you are as a researcher and a contributing member of the community in which you live. Avoidance of harm morally binds qualitative researchers to conduct their research in a manner that minimizes potential harm to those involved in the study.
Objective 9.4
Ethical Issues
Even though an action can bring about good results, it is not ethical unless it also conforms to ethical standards such as honesty and justice. The qualitative researcher must remain attentive to the relationships between the researcher and the participants a relationship that is determined by roles, status, language, and cultural norms.
Objective 9.4