NURS 1042 Qualitative Research for Practice - Key Concepts

Flashcards covering key qualitative research concepts from the lecture notes, including methodology, data collection, sampling, analysis, and evaluation.

What is qualitative research?

Research that explores and explains human experiences and meanings in natural settings, uses small samples, and focuses on why phenomena occur (qualifying) rather than how many (quantifying).

What does 'saturation' mean in qualitative research?

The point at which no new information or data are generated from participants, indicating the sample is sufficient.

How can qualitative research inform quantitative research?

By providing depth, meaning, and context to phenomena, helping to explain why things happen (e.g., emotional effects, driving behaviours).

What are the main data collection methods used in qualitative research?

Interviews, focus groups, and document analysis (and sometimes observations) to gather rich, descriptive data.

What is triangulation?

Using more than one method or source of data to collect and explain findings, increasing validity.

What is reflexivity?

Researchers' critical reflection on how their beliefs, assumptions, and perspectives may influence the research process.

What is inter-rater reliability?

The involvement of more than one researcher to independently analyse data to achieve consistent findings.

Qualitative vs quantitative—Common purpose

Qualitative aims to discover ideas; quantitative tests hypotheses or research questions.

Qualitative vs quantitative—Approach

Qualitative observes and interprets; quantitative measures and tests.

Qualitative vs quantitative—Reasoning

Qualitative uses inductive reasoning (specific observations → general conclusions); quantitative uses deductive reasoning (general ideas → specific conclusions).

Qualitative vs quantitative—Strength

Qualitative emphasizes validity and depth; quantitative emphasizes reliability and repeatability.

What is sampling in qualitative research?

Non-probability sampling that targets participants with experiences relevant to the topic; aims for depth but carries risk of bias.

Purposive sampling

Selecting participants who can provide in-depth information relevant to the research question.

Snowball sampling

Participants meeting criteria nominate others they know who also meet the criteria.

Convenience sampling

Participants are chosen based on ease of access or proximity to the researcher.

Ethnography (passive observation)

Watching a culture or setting from the participant's point of view without active participation.

Phenomenology

Focus on people's lived experiences and how they interpret those experiences.

Case study

An in-depth study of a defined case (person, group, program) to provide detailed understanding of the case.

Grounded theory

An approach that begins with no preconceptions and develops themes and theory from the data.

Qualitative data analysis methods: content vs thematic analysis

Content analysis identifies patterns/frequencies in text; thematic analysis codes transcripts to develop themes and sub-themes.