III. Qualitative Research

QUAL research:

― approach for exploring & understanding social and human problems

― inductive- observations, pattern, generalization, explanation

― stresses the importance of rendering the complexity of a situation

Why QUAL research:

̅ lack of information

̅ lack of representation

̅ available research doesn’t make sense for a particular group

̅ create immediate change

̅ get to know a small thing very well

̅ inform the questions in quantitative research

̅ explain the results from quantitative research

• Qualitative descriptive: purpose

Describing an experience from the perspectives of those involved, difference from other qual: analysis- “closer” to data

⎯ not just description; low-inference interpretation

• Qualitative descriptive: Types of RQs

⎯ what are the perspectives? perceptions?

⎯ when do people...? what factors facilitate? hinder?

⎯ what are the barriers to? supports for?

⎯ what do people think about? what do they need? how do they describe?

• Phenomenology: purpose:

Understanding the essence of an experience

• Phenomenology: types of RQs

- What are the lived experiences of X GROUP as it relates to X PHENOMENON?

- How do X PEOPLE experience X PHENOMENON?

Methods of data analysis and collection: qual descriptive

fieldwork

• Phenomenology: Methods of data analysis and collection:

― interviews- in-depth and multiple: what have you experienced in terms of the phenomenon? and in what contexts or situations?

― other forms of data that represent individual experience of a phenomenon (journals, observations, poetry, etc.)

reflexivity

bracketing

Reflexivity

examine yourself and your relationship to the research

bracketing:

suspend the “natural attitude” hold off on making judgments about what is real; describe the features of the experience

case study purpose

In-depth description/understanding of a bounded case, the study of a bounded system(s) over time within a real-life, contemporary context/setting

case study: Types of RQ:

⎯ “how” or “why” questions

⎯ little control over behavioral events

⎯ focus is contemporary, unfolding (not entirely historical)

⎯ there is a clearly identifiable case with boundaries

Methods of data analysis and collection: case study

Intrinsic: the case is unique

instrumental: single- selection of a bounded case that illustrates an issue of concern; collective (multiple)- multiple cases are selected to illustrate diversity or complexity

ethnography: purpose:

Describing/interpreting a group (culture-sharing) aims to discover and describe the point of view of a people or social scene. . . to understand a culture’s:

― patterns of social organization (social networks) & ideational systems (worldviews)

― how do they behave within a group as expressed through their actions?

― what are their ideas and beliefs as expressed through language?

ethnography: types of RQs:

ethnography: Methods of data analysis and collection:

fieldwork: conducted in natural settings by immersion and participation

What is an example from OT (1994-Fleming & Mattingly)

⎯ Textbook:

Clinical reasoning: Forms of inquiry in a therapeutic practice (1994)

⎯ 2 years of study:

⎯ 17 Experienced OTs & their patients

⎯ Interviews, videotaped sessions

⎯ Observations, field notes

OT as a TWO-BODY practice (orientations to disability)

⎯ body as machine- injury to physical body (biomechanical)

⎯ lived body - patient’s experience of disability & meaning it carries for their lives

Clinical Reasoning:

⎯ procedural - addressing functional limitations

⎯ interactive - collaborating with the person

⎯ conditional - creating meaningful experiences

⎯ narrative - negotiating the future

• Narrative: purpose:

Exploring the life of an individual(s)

⎯ is spoken or written text

⎯ tells account of event or series of events

⎯ events are chronologically connected

⎯ often co-constructed with the researcher

⎯ stories of individual experiences often shed light on identity

⎯ contain turning points or critical life events

⎯ context is critical (time & place)

Narrative: Methods of data analysis and collection:

Restoring-analysis of plot & dialogue

⎯ chronological; include “epiphanies” (turning points)

⎯ causal link among ideas

⎯ identification of key elements

⎯ conversational analysis-meaning of words