Nov 5th - Chpt 7

main steps in qualitative research 

1. establish a general research question

2. select a relevant site and subjects

3. collect the data

4. interpret the data 

5. conceptual and theoretical collection

   1. tighter specification of the research question

   2. collection of further data

6. writing and finding conclusions

grounded theory

the use of data to develop theories

definitive concepts

defined with nominal and operational definitions (measurement) as in quantitative research

sensitizing concepts

provide only a general sense of reference and guidance as to the content of the concept

4 criteria of trustworthiness 

1. credibility (conducted through respondent validation)

2. transferability

3. dependability

4. confirmability

credibility

Do the people studied agree with the interpretation of their thoughts and actions offered by the researcher

conducted through respondent (member) validation

transferability

Can the findings be applied to other contexts or people not studied?

• thick desciption

dependability

were proper procedures followed

can the study’s theoretical inferences be justified

confirmability

acting in good faith; was the researcher objective and unbiased

• did researcher sway results

• “auditing” can be used to examine this

what were the qualitative features of the harlem study?

• Participant observation in restaurants and community spaces

• in-depth life-history interviews

• immersive ethnography connecting meaning and structure

critiques of qualitative research

• too subjective

• difficult to replicate

• issues of generalization

• lack of transparency