1C - qualitative research methods

types of qualitative research methods

1. naturalistic observations

2. interviews

3. case studies

characteristics of qualitative research

1. context

2. depth

3. adaptability

4. subjectivity

5. reflexivity

definition of reflexivity and the two main things it entails

the acknowledgement of the researcher’s role and perspectives in the research process

entails two main things:

11. a deliberate attempt on the part of researchers to make their biases and assumptions transparent.

12. researchers attempting to be neutral and non-judgemental in their approach to research.

definition of participant reactivity

when participants change their behaviours because they are aware that they are being observed.

characteristics of naturalistic observations

1. natural setting

2. no manipulation

3. descriptive data

4. subjectivity in observational data

types of descriptive data in observational research

• field notes

• video recording

• coding schemes and thematic categories

three main ways of behaviour sampling in observational research

1. time sampling (records behaviour as it occurs every x minutes)

2. event sampling (records behaviour as every time it occurs)

3. situation sampling (investigates the sam behaviour in several different situations)

types of observations (all the categories!)

• participant vs non participant

• covert vs overt

• natural vs artificial

• systematic vs unsystematic

phases of non-participant observation

1. selection of observational setting

2. definition of behaviours to observe

3. training observers for standardisation

4. conduct observations

5. analyse data

phases of participant observation

1. descriptive observation

2. focused observation

3. selective observation