Qual 3 quality in qualitative research

Why is quality important in research?

It ensures findings are credible, useful, and impactful for researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and students.

How do researchers achieve quality?

By ensuring their study yields credible and useful findings.

3 methods of evaluation for quality of quantitative research

reliability, internal validity and external validity

What do the criteria for quality in quantitative research rely on, which makes its application to qualitative research problematic

assumption of objectivity

Why can applying quantitative criteria to qualitative research be problematic

Qualitative research often prioritizes context and individual experiences over objective truths

Why does qualitative research embrace bias?

Because a constructionist perspective acknowledges that bias is always present.

Why is bias apparently always present

because researchers use their preexisting understanding to shape the data they collect

4 factors why is it challenging to define quality in qualitative research?

It encompasses various philosophical positions, methods, and analyses, with no consensus on quality criteria.

What are Yardley’s (2000) 4 flexible principles for qualitative quality?

Sensitivity to context, commitment and rigour, transparency and coherence, and impact and importance.

What does "sensitivity to context" mean in qualitative research?

awareness of broader context that the research is conducted in

3 factors to consider broader context

relevant literature, common sense concepts and socio-cultural setting

What does commitment and rigour mean towards qualitative quality

the completeness of data collection and analysis

What should qualitative research aim for

data saturation and complete interpretation

What is "data saturation"?

The point at which no new ideas emerge from the data.

What are 3 common issues arise in thematic analysis?

Vague or overlapping themes, lack of analytic narrative, and unconsidered alternatives.

2 methods contributing to commitment and rigour

triangulation and validation

How is triangulation used in qualitative research?

By combining methods and data sources (e.g., observations, questionnaires) for a multi-layered understanding.

What is validation in qualitative research?

Checking interpretations with peers (peer verification) or participants (respondent verification) to increase the credibility of finding

2 processes ensuring transparency in qualitative research

auditability and reflexivity

What is auditability in qualitative research

clear documentation of data collection, coding rules and analysis progression

What is reflexivity in qualitative research?

Acknowledging the researcher’s assumptions, motivations, and actions in conducting the study.

2 ways to ensure coherence in qualitative research

coherent and consistent narrative, and discussion links findings to existing knowledge

Three types of potential impact of findings

theoretical, practical and social-cultural

How can impact and importance be demonstrated

transferability

What is transferability in qualitative research?

The degree to which findings can be transferred to other contexts or settings with other respondents

How should Yardley’s principles be applied?

Flexibly, based on the context and aims of the study, not all tools will be used

4 things to consider when reviewing a paper

concise explanation of method and analysis?, transparency around assumptions?, convincing analysis?, relevance of findings?

What is mixed methods research?

a systematic approach to data collection and analysis, integrating qualitative and quantitative data to address complex phenomena.

Two different analytical logics embraced by mixed methods research

an exploratory/hypothesis generating one and a confirmatory/hypotheses confirmation one

What are the 5 purposes of mixing methods (Greene, 2007)?

triangulation, complementarity, development, initiation and expansion

Aim of Triangulation

Increases confidence in conclusions.

Aim of Complementarity

Broadens/deepens understanding.

Aim of Development

One method informs the other.

Aim of Initiation

New perspectives of same phenomenon through contrasting methods.

Aim of Expansion

Expands study scope by assessing different phenomena

What needs to be considered in the design of mixed method research

the order and dominance of qual-quant

Name the model that provides a framework for the order and emphasis of mixed methods

priority-sequence model

2 factors considered in priority-sequence model

concurrent vs sequential and equal vs dominant

What is the purpose of a qualitative preliminary study with quantitative as principle method

smaller qualitative study used to guide data collection for a larger quantitative study

What does this qualitative preliminary study with quantitative as principle method provide

generate hypothesises and content for study

What is the purpose of a qualitative follow-up study with quantitative as principle method

smaller qualitative study helps evaluate and interpret results from a principally quantitative study

What does this qualitative follow-up study with quantitative as principle method provide

interpretation for poorly understood results

What is the purpose of a quantitative preliminary study with qualitative as principle method

smaller quantitative study helps guide data collection in principally qualitative study

What does this quantitative preliminary study with qualitative as principle method provide

purposive sampling and establish preliminary results to pursue in depth

What is the purpose of a quantitative follow-up study with qualitative as a principle method

smaller quantitative study helps evaluate and interpret results from a principally qualitative study

What does this quantitative follow-up study with qualitative as a principle method provide

can generalise results to different samples and test elements of emerging theories

Purpose of quantitative research for design decisions

validating existing knowledge and assumptions

Purpose of qualitative research for design decisions

exploratory insights