Day 11: Quantitative analysis

What is qualitative research, according to Creswell and Poth (2018)?

An approach for exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem.

What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods?

Quantitative methods can tell us what is happening, while qualitative methods help explain why it is happening.

Why are qualitative methods useful in conservation research?

They help researchers understand human experiences, meanings, motivations, behavior, and decision-making.

What can interviews reveal that survey results may not explain?

The reasons, meanings, values, traditions, and motivations behind people's choices and behaviors.

What is the purpose of interviews in qualitative research?

To gain an in-depth understanding of individual experiences.

What is the purpose of focus groups in qualitative research?

To reveal shared views, differences, and group dynamics.

What is the purpose of observational data in qualitative research?

To capture behavior in real-world contexts.

What is the purpose of document and media analysis?

To examine existing communications to understand narratives, values, and framing.

What characteristics should good interview questions have?

They should be open-ended, use simple and clear language, remain neutral, encourage examples and stories, and use follow-up prompts.

Why should interview questions be open-ended?

They encourage participants to explain their experiences, perspectives, and reasoning in their own words.

Why should interview questions use simple, clear language?

To help participants understand the questions without unnecessary confusion or technical language.

Why should interviewers remain neutral?

To avoid steering participants toward a particular answer or influencing their responses.

Why should interviewers encourage examples and stories?

Examples and stories can provide richer detail about participants' experiences and perspectives.

What are follow-up prompts used for in interviews?

To encourage participants to elaborate on or clarify their initial responses.

What types of interview questions should researchers avoid?

Leading questions, double-barrelled questions, jargon or acronyms, yes/no questions, and overly vague questions.