Qualitative Research Methods for IB

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Qualitative Research Methods as discussed in the lecture notes.

Empiricism

The theory that all knowledge originates in experience and is derived through the senses. UNDERDSTAND SUBJECTIVELY MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCES

Positivism

The belief that the social world can be studied in terms of invariant laws and that only observable phenomena can be considered as knowledge. PRODUCE LAW-LIKE PROPOSITIONS

Interpretivism

An approach that emphasizes understanding the social world through human perceptions and stresses both interpretation and observation. Knowledge about the world can be acquired in other ways than direct observation

Ontology

The philosophical study that categorizes all existing things.

Realism

The philosophy that distinguishes between the world as it actually is and the meaning or interpretation people assign to it.

Materialism

material features shape the real world, distinct from values, beliefs, or experiences.

Idealism

The belief that reality is knowable only through the human mind and socially constructed meanings.

Epistemology

The study of ways of knowing or learning about the social world.

Pragmatism

A viewpoint that considers qualitative and quantitative methods as complementary strategies for different types of research questions.

Qualitative Research

Research focusing on understanding complex social phenomena through non-numerical data.

Quantitative Research

Research focusing on quantifying data and often employing statistical methods for analysis.

Triangulation

Mixing quan and qual methods. Not focus on outputs, but to yield different types of intelligence about the subject

Participant Observation

A qualitative research method where the researcher immerses themselves in the community being studied.

Discourse Analysis

A method that examines written or spoken language in its social context.

Grounded Theory

A research method that entails developing theory directly from data gathered during research.

Reliability

The degree to which research results are consistent when the same method is applied repeatedly.

Validity

The extent to which a research instrument measures what it is intended to measure. OR: Measure of the degree to which an observation demonstrates what it appears to demonstrate

Ethnocentric Research

Research that is based on the assumption that the perspectives of one's own culture are inherently superior to others.

Internal Validity

The degree to which a study accurately establishes a cause-and-effect relationship. (also: credibility/ authenticity) Degree to which conclusions make sense: ‘True value’. Constant comparative method or checking accuracy of fit. Seeking for casual relations

External Validity

The degree to which research findings can be generalized to other settings or groups. also: transferability, fittingness Degree to which conclusion have relevance to matters beyond the study itself

Sampling

The process of selecting a group of individuals from a larger population for the purpose of research.

Inductive reasoning

A reasoning approach that begins with observations and works toward a general conclusion.

Deductive reasoning

A reasoning approach that starts with a theory or hypothesis and tests it through observations.

Focus Groups

A qualitative research method involving guided discussions among a group of participants to gather insights.

Mastery Sampling

Selecting subjects who are knowledgeable about the phenomenon being studied.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs or values.

Comparative Analysis

The process of comparing different research cases to highlight similarities and differences.

Pilot Study

A small-scale preliminary study conducted to test the feasibility, time, cost, risk, and adverse events involved in a research project.

empathic neutrality

Research cannot be value free so researchers should make assumptions transparent

pragmatic view

An observation is true if it leads to actions that produce the desired or predicted results

inductive

Looking for patterns and association derived from observations

deductive

Propositions or hypotheses are reached theoretically through a logically derived process (using evidence)

theoretical research

Aim of testing, generating, or enhancing thinking within a particular discipline

applied research

Using acquired knowledge to contribute directly to the understanding / resolution of a contemporary issue

contextual research

What exists

explanatory research

Why it exists

evaluative research

The effectiveness of what exists (actual, not intended)

generative research

Aiding the development of theories/strategies/actions

formative evaluation

Provide info that will help to change or improve a program or policy (at intro or when problem occurs)

summative evaluation

Impact of intervention or policy in terms of effectiveness and the different outcomes that have resulted

naturally occuring data

Developed to allow investigation of phenomena in their natural settings

participant observation

Join study population to record actions

observation

Record actions without becoming a member

documentary analysis

Study of existing docs

discourse analysis

Construction of texts and verbal accounts to explore systems of social meaning

conversation analysis

Detailed examination of talk in interaction to determine how conversation is constructed and enacted

generated data

Involves construction and requires re-processing and re-telling of attitudes, beliefs, behaviour

5 analytic techniques

pattern matching, explanation building, time-series analysis, logic models, cross-case synthesis

preceding statistical research

Performing qual before quan When subject is complex (form hypotheses)

alongside statistical research

Perform qual and quan simultaneously Study different phenomena in the same field of interest

as a follow-up to statistical research

Perform qual after quan When quan needs further detail, explanation or indepth info

research design

1. Development of RQs 2. Building design around settings and population 3. Selecting time frame of data collection 4. Choice of data collection 5. Negotiation of research relationships

panel studies

People are interviewed more than once

repeat cross-sectional studies

Subsequent samples of new participants are interviewed

probability samples

Elements in population are chosen at random

non-probability samples

Units are deliberately selected. Sample is not intended to be statistically representative

purposive sampling

Sample units are chosen because they have particular features which will enable detailed exploration and understanding of the subject

homogenous sampling

Give a detailed picture of a particular phenomenon

heterogenous sampling

Include phenomena which vary widely from each other to identify the central themes that cut across the variety of cases

Deviant sampling

Cases are unusual or special  enlightening

intensity sampling

sampling xtreme cases of specific phenomena of interest

typical case sampling

sampling cases which characterise positions that are normal or average are selected to provide detailed profiling

stratified purposive sampling

Select groups that display variation so that subgroups can be compared

critical case sampling

sampling cases that demonstrate a phenomenon or dramatic position

theoretical sampling

Sample units are chosen on the basis of their potential contribution to the development and testing of theoretical constructs

data saturation

No new data is obtained through expanding the sample

opportunistic sampling

sampling by taking advantage of unforeseen opportunities

convenience sampling

samples chosen according to ease of access

opt-in approach

Gives individuals the opportunity to indicate that they don’t want their details to be passed on to the research team

unstructured interviews

Non-standardised and indepth. Exploratory research, more probing

semi-structured interviews

Semi-standardised. Explanatory research, less probing

tree and branch model

model where the branches are issues being pre-specified for follow up

rivers and channel model

a model where researcher follows channels wherever they lead

vignettes

Short descriptions of particular circumstances Introduce an elements of consistency which can be useful, allowing comparison between reactions to the same sample

card-sorting

Participants are asked to order a nr of examples Facilitates discussion of the reasons for choices and priorities

miner interviews

Knowledge is given and interviewer must mine this information to the surface  extract raw materials

traveller interviews

Knowledge is created and interviewer accompany the interviewee on his route

content mapping questions

Ground mapping = open up the subject

Dimension mapping = refers to process or experience the participant underwent

Perspective-widening = let interviewees give more than first thoughts and widen initial perspective

content mining questions

Mining = probing.

Amplificatory probes = enable interviewee to provide a full description of the subject

Explanatory probes = understand reasoning of the participant

Exploratory probes = exploring impacts, effects, and consequences

Clarification probes = achieve high degree of clarity and precision

focus groups

6-8 people: group interaction is explicitly used to generate data and insights Perspective is less influenced by researcher than in 1-to-1 interviews

nominal groups

Views are gathered from group members individually and collated and circulated for comment

delphi technique

Ask for forecasts in a panel of experts, summarise/circulate those until consensus is reached

forming

Individuals may be guarded/tense/anxious/concerned about acceptance (group behavior)

storming

Dominance or one-upmanship from some and silent aloofness from others. Strong differences may emerge (group behavior)

norming

Group begins to cooperate and find common ground Sharing, similarity, and agreement (group behavior)

performing

Working interactively in open discussion on research issues Most productive phase of the group process (group behavior)

adjourning

Group works towards ending, give final thoughts (group behavior)

ethnocentric research

Predicated on the regular and repeated observation of people/situation

complete observer

researcher neither seen, nor noticed

observer-as-participant

Known and recognised, but relates to subjects solely as researcher

participant as observer

researcher fully integrated into the life of the group under study

complete participant

researcher disappear in setting completely and fully engage with people and their activities

peripheral membership

researcher observe and interact closely with people under study, establish identities as insiders but don’t participate in activities constituting core of group membership

active membership

researcher engage in core activities although try to refrain from committing to group’s values, goals, attitudes

complete membership

Study settings in which researchers are active and engaged members. They are often advocates for position adopted by the group

analytic induction

Emergent propositions are tested in a search for negative cases

versimilitude

Style of writing that draws the reader into the subject to evoke recognition

utilisation

Degree to which actions result from findings Degree to which ethical issues are forthrightly dealt with, also : application / action orientation

observer bias

Tendency of people to change behaviour because they know they are being observed

Text retrievers (CAQDAS)

Searches large amounts of data for words or phrases