Qualitative Research Methods

Flashcards covering the 'Why Interview,' 'Interview Types,' 'Fieldwork,' 'Participant Observation,' 'Ethnography,' and 'Focus Group' methods in qualitative research.

Interviewing (Purpose)

A qualitative method used for exploring in-depth information, developing new ideas, customizability, ground for other qualitative methods, reducing refusal rates, and recording information missed in questionnaires.

Structured Interview

An interview type with a predetermined set of questions and format.

Unstructured Interview

An interview type that is more flexible, allowing for open-ended discussions and adaptation.

Interview Characteristics

Requires a time commitment from a participant, usually one-on-one conversation, involves key informants, and often uses field notes alongside multiple recording devices.

Anonymity and Confidentiality

Key considerations during an interview, ensuring participant privacy and the secure handling of shared information.

Effective Interview Questioning

Techniques include being friendly and responsive, making the interview interesting, listening more than talking, starting with broad questions, being brief and to the point, using simple words, avoiding emotional expressions, preventing bias, and repeating/paraphrasing questions if needed.

Interview Advantages

Provides a wealth of detail, more accurate for sensitive issues, offers more control than just observation, and allows for direct question and answer exchanges.

Interview Disadvantages

High cost and time commitment, requires specific interview skills, challenges in accessing interviewees, small number of people (not generalizable), and sensitivity to interviewer bias.

Fieldwork

A research type involving the study of people acting in their natural state.

Participant Observation

A research method for studying groups by gaining membership or close relationships with them.

Ethnography

A research method involving participating in peoples' lives for an extended period of time.

Characteristics of Field Research

Conducted in natural settings, uses unobtrusive measures (does not alter the environment), focuses on 'why, how, and in what way' questions, emphasizes context uniqueness, and can involve overt or covert participant observation.

Handling Diverse Participants in Group Settings

Strategies include encouraging shy people, stopping 'know-it-all' people from dominating, prompting over-talkers to be brief, and cutting off obnoxious individuals.

Group Discussion Advantages

Provides more details, offers flexibility, serves as a good way to get preliminary information, is time and cost-efficient (compared to interviews), and allows for observation of group dynamics.

Group Discussion Disadvantages

Limited representativeness (small sample), high dependence on the moderator's ability, and the possibility of discussion being dominated by a few people.

Focus Group

A structured discussion about a specific topic involving 6-12 people, often led by a moderator, to explore group dynamics and gather insights.

Moderator (Focus Group)

The person responsible for leading and guiding the discussion within a focus group.

Focus Group Purposes

To gather preliminary information for a project, develop questionnaire items for surveys, understand reasons 'why,' and test preliminary ideas or plans.

Focus Group Procedure Steps

1. Assembling the groups (non-random, targeted, usually more than two groups). 2. Preparing study mechanics (physical surroundings). 3. Preparing materials and questions (informing participants of the topic, using structured yet flexible questions). 4. Conducting the session.