Intro to research methodology 2

Educational Research

Overview of Qualitative Research

Gay, Mills, and Airasian

State the definition and purpose of qualitative research.

1.1 Define qualitative research. 1.2 Describe the purpose of

qualitative research. 1.3 Identify four unique

characteristics of qualitative research.

Describe the six steps in the qualitative research process.

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.

Identify different qualitative research approaches.

3.1 Describe the primary difference among qualitative research approaches.

3.2 Identify nine qualitative research approaches and discuss the unique characteristics of each.

Describe the characteristics of qualitative research.

4.1 Describe eight unique characteristics of qualitative research.

State the definition of validity in qualitative research.

5.1 Define the term validity and identify two of its components.

Describe strategies to address the trustworthiness (validity) of qualitative research

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.

Describe strategies to address the replicability (reliability) of qualitative research.

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.

Describe the role of ethics in qualitative research.

9.1 Describe the role of ethics in qualitative research.

9.2 Discuss why it is important to think about possible ethical dilemmas in a qualitative research study before they become a problem.

9.3 Identify two reasons why confidentiality is important in qualitative research and the way in which it is usually assured.

9.4 Identify six ethical guidelines that should be followed when conducting qualitative research.

Topics Discussed in this Session

Definition and purpose of qualitative research

General steps involved in qualitative research

Qualitative research approaches Characteristics of qualitative research Validity, reliability, and

generalizability Ethics

The Nature of Qualitative Research

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


Purpose of qualitative research Promote a deep, holistic understanding

of a particular phenomenon Importance of exploring qualitative

topics 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


The importance of exploring qualitative topics (continued) 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


Six General Steps Identify the research topic Review the literature Select the participants Collect data Analyze the data Report the results

These are the same steps as those used in quantitative research


Range of Qualitative Approaches Nine approaches

Case study An effort to seek an understanding of a single

person or entity Ethnography

An effort to describe and analyze all or part of the culture of a community by identifying and describing participants’ practices and beliefs

Ethology An effort to compare several cultures with one

another

Objective 3.2

Range of Qualitative Approaches Nine approaches (continued)

Ethnomethodology An effort to examine people’s understanding of

their daily activities Grounded theory

An effort to derive theory grounded in the perspectives of the participants

Phenomenology An effort to understand the meaning of an

individual’s experiencesObjective 3.2

Range of Qualitative Approaches Nine approaches (continued)

Symbolic interaction An effort to seek common understandings that

emerge to give meaning to participants’ interactions

Action research An effort to seek a solution or improvement to a

practical problem in the setting in which it is occurring

Historical research An effort to seek to understand the past by

studying documents, relics, and interviews

Objective 3.2

Features of Qualitative Approaches

Differences between approaches Different social contexts are being

studied in each approach The participants are selected for

different reasons in each approach

Objective 3.1


Eight unique characteristics 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


Eight unique characteristics (continued) 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


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


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 13 strategies to ensure validity

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 13 strategies to ensure validity

(cont.) 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 Reliability is a necessary but not

sufficient characteristic – validity is the priority


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 General strategies for ensuring the

technical merit of a qualitative study 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


Ethical Issues Six guidelines to help avoid ethical

problems 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


problems (cont.) 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


problems (cont.) 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

Intro to research methodology 2

Technology

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