Descriptive Study Designs in Research

Hypotheses Development

Data from descriptive research aids future hypothesis testing.

Explanatory Techniques

Methods like longitudinal or cross-sectional for deeper insights.

Surveys

Common tool for collecting descriptive research data.

Secondary Analysis

Utilizes existing databases for descriptive research insights.

Qualitative Study Designs

Classified under descriptive research for in-depth understanding.

Exploratory Study Designs

Focus on understanding phenomena without predefined hypotheses.

Quantitative Methods

Involves numerical data and statistical analysis.

Human Experience Assumption

Assumes logical relationships in human behavior and interactions.

Descriptive Surveys

Characterize knowledge, behaviors, and demographics.

Questionnaires

Structured surveys captured via self-report.

Informed Consent

Required before conducting research with participants.

Double-barreled Questions

Ask about two issues in one question.

Inductive Inquiry

Observation leads to explanation in research.

Descriptive Statistics

Used to provide context in qualitative studies.

Mixed Methods Study

Combines qualitative and quantitative data collection.

Purposeful Language

Deliberate wording to avoid bias in questions.

Research Complexity

Developing questionnaires requires careful planning.

Naturalistic Inquiry

Suggests that a phenomenon is only understood in context and from multiple perspectives

Inductive Reasoning

Data are collected and conclusions are reached based on this information

Constructivism

Knowledge is constructed through experiences.

Our understanding of the world is "constructed"

Purposive Sampling

Participants selected for specific research purposes.

Snowball Sampling

Participants recruit others from their networks.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing phenomena in their real-world settings.

Qualitative Data Collection

Methods include interviews and focus groups.

Interviews

One-on-one discussions led by trained interviewers.

Semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions

Focus Groups

Group discussions facilitated by trained moderators.

Semi-structured focus group guide to facilitate discussion

Artifacts Analysis

Analysis of objects that provide information about the subject of interest

•May also review documents or archives

Photovoice

Participants document themes through photos/videos.

Field Notes

Researcher's observations and impressions recorded unobtrusively. Describe what is seen and researcher's impressions

Participant Observation (data collection)

Researcher engages in participants' natural activities.

Qualitative Data Coding

Structuring narrative data. Foundation for determining how themes or concepts emerge from data by giving structure to data

Codes

Smallest text units representing themes in data. words or phrases

Content Analysis

Systematic technique to draw inferences & coding textual material

Analyzing text by counting word frequency.

Qualitative Data Analysis

Tools like NVIVO and Atlas.ti for analysis. or analysis by hand. Time consuming

Qualitative Study

Research focusing on non-numerical data collection.

Quantitative Data

Data expressed in numerical form for analysis.

Research Questions

Broad inquiries avoiding specific hypotheses.

Interview

One-on-one conversation for data collection.

Artifacts

Analysis of objects providing subject-related information.

Qualitative Data

Large volumes of non-numerical data generated.

Coding

Structuring narrative data to identify themes.

Data Analysis Software

Tools like NVIVO for qualitative data analysis.

Hypothetical Example

Illustrative case study for qualitative research.

Grounded Theory

Theory developed from data analysis and collection. explains data

Phenomenology

Explores and describes lived experiences of individuals. describes phenomenon

Participatory Action Research

Knowledge generation to address social issues. and inform action

Ethnography

Study of cultures and social practices. groups of people

Constant Comparison

Ongoing analysis of data during research process.

Theory Development

Creating explanations based on collected data.

Theoretical Model

Framework explaining observed behaviors or phenomena.

Thick Description

In-depth portrayal of social practices and meanings.

Critical Appraisal

Systematic evaluation of research article strengths and weaknesses. AMSTAR

Bias

Prejudiced consideration affecting research outcomes. (overreliance on accessible participants, hawthorne effect, influence of participants and sit on researcher)

Hawthorne Effect

Participants alter behavior due to researcher presence.

Trustworthiness

Criteria ensuring qualitative research reliability and validity. (credible, transfer, depend, confirm)

Credibility

Authenticity of capturing participants' true experiences.

Credibility is marked by

-Thick description

•Triangulation

•Member reflections/member checking

•Negative case analysis

Transferability

Ability to apply findings to different contexts. marked by purposive sampling and thick description

Dependability

Consistency of research findings over time. audit trail and triangulation

Confirmability

Objectivity of the research findings. neutrality of data.

Confirmability is marked by

reflexive researchers, review by peers or population of study, audit trail, triangulation

Triangulation

Using multiple methods to validate research findings.

Member Checking

Participants verify accuracy of research interpretations.

Negative Case Analysis

Identifying exceptions to refine research conclusions. conflicts

Audit trail

Documenting research decisions for transparency.

Reflexivity

Researcher's self-examination of biases.

other strategies for trustworthiness

Interviewer/data collector training

Prolonged engagement

Saturation

Code-recode

Peer debriefing

Prolonged engagement

Extended interaction to build trust and understanding.

Saturation

Point at which no new data emerges.

Code-recode

Reanalyzing data to ensure consistency in coding.

Peer debriefing

Discussing findings with colleagues for feedback.

Research Pyramid

Model illustrating levels of evidence in research.

Mixed Methods Research

Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches to increase validity