Psychology - Qualitative unit (DP1)

Descriptive data

understanding of reasons, opinions and motivations

Inductive approach

start observing->analyze data->then draw conclusions (no hypothesis)

Purposive sample

targets a particular group of people (eg. want to se how twins react-> only looking for twins)

Qualitative (adv)

1. rich data (in depth descriptions, meanings and explanations)
2. investigates complex issues (illness, human sexuality, abuse)
3. explains phenomenas (go beyond observations)
4. generate new ideas and theories to explain and overcome problems
5. people are studied in natural environment (increases validity)

Qualitative (disad)

1. time consuming
2. lot of data to analyze
3. no clear strategy for analysis
4. may be subjective to different notes

Ethics

1. informed consent
2. protecting participants from harm
3. anonymity and confidentiality

Representational generalization

applied to population outside of the population of the study

Infrential generalization

applied to setting outside of the setting of the study

Theoretical generalization

study can develop a further theory

Researcher bias

the researchers own beliefs influence the research process (confirmation bias)

Reflexivity

being aware of our own prejudice to the study/sample therefore may not be the best person to analyze the data

Credebility

iternal validity (checking the data with the source- is this what you meant when you said this?)

Triangulation (research)

multiple research methods- researchers, observers, interviews (compare)

Triangulation (method)

multiple methods- qual and quant methods

Triangulation (theory)

looking at data using different theoretical approaches

Observation

1. no interference, no manipulation of variables
2. type of observation chosen differently based on aims & objectives
3. extraneous variables & participant effects may influence the validity of an observation

Participant observation

the observer is part of the group

Non-participant observation

the observer is not part of the group

Overt

the group is informed about the observer, how long (time) and why

Overt (disad)

artificial behaviour

Covert

secret observation- the group is unaware they are being observed and therefore they act naturally

Covert (disad)

ethical concerns

Cognitive dissonance

a clash of two big pieces of information

Reactivity

people do not act naturally (overt and/or non-participant)

Inductive content analysis

1. reading & re-reading the notes in an interactive way
2. identify main themes and main categories
3. identify sub themes
4. all information needs to be put into a category or a theme

Deductive content analysis

checklist approach

Interview (adv)

1. private- cannot be replaced with another method
2. only when talking about sensitive/delicate topics

Interview (disad)

1. time consuming
2. money consuming
3. not practical

Interviewer's effect

when the interviewer uses body language or expressions that could indicate judgement towards the interviewee (the interviewee will become uncomfortable with answering further questions)

Interviewer's effect (counteract)

1. the interviewer needs to be skilled
2. the interviewer needs to be sensitive
3. there needs to be a good relationship between the interviewer and interviewee (rapport)

Structured interview

1. controlled method
2. tight interview schedule
3. list of exact questions

Unstructured interview (adv)

1. researcher is not restricted to questions (allowed to elaborate)
2. enables the researcher to make an intervention
3. can ask participants to expand
4. uses an inductive approach

Unstructured interview (disad)

1. questions are not set
2. somewhat artificial (low ecological validity)
3. data analysis is very time consuming

Semi-structured interview

1. most popular
2. a set of close and open ended questions
3. the answer can be more open than in a structured interview

Focus group (adv)

1. quick and convenient way to collect data from several individuals simultaneously
2. provides a natural setting
3. members of the group may help to prompt relevant ideas

Focus group (disad)

1. not appropriate for the research question (not too sensitive)
2. the peresence of other people may result in conformity
3. difficult to facilitate
4. difficult to analyze

Interview questions (close ended)

1. they request a yes/no response
2. they request a one word response
3. multiple choice

Interview questions (open ended)

descriptive questions, structural questions, contrast questions and evaluative questions

Descriptive questions

invite participant to give a genersl account of something

Structural questions

used to explore responses to descriptive questions

Contrast questions

compare events and experiences

Evaluative questions

are about feelings

Data recording

transcription of data, verbatim or post modern transcripts

Transcription of data

how to change the interview into a written text that can be used for analysis

Verbatim

word by word

Post modern transcripts

some researchers may find it important to include features such as pauses, interruptions, intonation, volume of speech, incomplete sentences, false starts, stutters and laughter