Introduction to Qualitative Research

This flashcard set covers the foundational concepts, paradigms, research designs, and sampling methods relevant to qualitative research as presented by Prof Pauline O'Reilly.

Qualitative Research

A form of social inquiry focusing on how people interpret and make sense of their experiences and social reality, aiming to understand why they think and behave as they do.

Inductive Process

A process that describes a phenomenon to add to knowledge and develop a conceptual or theoretical framework, rather than testing existing theories.

Interpretivism

The underpinning paradigm of qualitative research based on the assumption that reality is subjective, multiple, and socially constructed.

Paradigm

A shared belief system, worldview, or frame of reference that influences the kinds of knowledge individuals seek and how they interpret evidence.

Ontology

The component of a research paradigm that asks the question: "What is reality?".

Epistemology

The component of a research paradigm that asks the question: "How can I know reality?".

Naturalist Paradigm

An approach emphasizing context and complexity, where researchers record behaviors in real-world settings rather than controlled environments.

Phenomenology

A research design used to examine human experiences (the "Lived Experience") through descriptions provided by the people involved.

Ethnography

A research design focused on the culture and customs of a group, describing cognitive models or patterns of behavior.

Grounded Theory

A research method designed to inductively develop a theory based on observations and social processes within the data.

Case Study

An in-depth examination of contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context, often using multiple sources of evidence.

Action Research

A type of qualitative research that seeks to improve practice through action and then study the effects of that action.

Bracketing

The process in phenomenological and ethnographic research where the researcher sets aside their own perspective and beliefs.

Emic Perspective

The insider's world view or perspective within a culture, central to ethnographic research.

Etic Perspective

The outsider's world view or perspective in research.

Data Saturation

The stage in qualitative data collection where no new information or themes are derived from further analysis.

Non-probability Sampling

A sampling approach often used in qualitative research where random selection is not required, focusing instead on accessing the most appropriate subjects.

Convenience Sampling

Also called Accidental Sampling; a technique where the researcher selects whoever is currently available.

Purposive Sampling

Also known as Judgmental Sampling; selecting participants based on a preconceived purpose or specific inclusion criteria.

Snowball Sampling

A technique where the researcher asks initial subjects to nominate other potential participants for the study.

Quota Sampling

Sampling that continues until a specific target size is reached, often used to control for certain characteristics.

Trustworthiness

The criteria for assessing rigour in qualitative research, consisting of Credibility, Transferability, Dependability, and Confirmability.

Element

The most basic unit about which information is collected in a research study.

Focus Groups

A primary data-collection strategy in qualitative research involving group interviews to access multiple respondents simultaneously.