QUAL1- intro to qualitative research + data collection

3 reasons why might need qualitative research methods

1. there isn’t an appropriate theory to draw a hypothesis from

2. isolating causes in controlled conditions can lead to context being overlooked

3. personal significance is more important than the truth

5 goals of qualitative research

1. concerned with meaning & how people make sense of the world

2. aims to understand what its like to have a particular experience in particular conditions

3. focused on describing & possibly explaining/interpreting

4. studies people within naturally occurring settings to understand how context shapes experiences

5. asks questions about processes

what is the ontological view to psychology

concerned with the nature of reality/what exists

2 sides of ontology

realism & relavtivism

realism

reality exists independently of the researcher & can be uncovered (quantitative)

relativism

• reality is constructed through interpretation

• social world is made from multiple realities/perspectives

• each perspective is equally relative

• qualitative

subtle realism

• theres existence of an independent reality but we can’t access it directly

• truth is always through our own lens/perspective

what is epistomology

how knowledge is created

2 sides of epistemology

positivist & constructionist/interpretive

positivist

knowledge is objective, follows laws, is value free & can be uncovered through scientific methods

constructionist/interpretive

all knowledge is socially constructed & interpretations have value

quantitative research methods view on psychology & epistemology

realist & positivist

qualitative research methods view on psychology & epistemology

relativist & constructivist/interpretive

how are qualitative research questions phrased

to emphasise experience/understanding & perspectives of individuals/groups in a special context

4 things qualitative research questions avoid

• quantification

• assumptions about causality

• reduction of complexity

• generalisable observations

what are unobtrusive data collection methods

when the researcher doesn’t have to do anything to create the data (pre-existing data)

6 types of unobtrusive data collection methods

• published narratives

• archival documents

• simple observation

• visual images: photo/films etc

• audio

• self report

strength of unobtrusive data collection methods

naturalistic

limitation of unobtrusive data collection methods

researcher can’t probe for deeper understanding

what is the most popular interview type in psychology

semi-structured

4 types of interview (interviewer led → interviewee led)

• structured

• semi-structures

• unstructured

• focus group

what is a structured interview

• interviewer follows an interview schedule (same questions/order)

• answers can be quantified

• interviewee has a passive role

3 strengths of structured interviews

1. reliable & replicable

2. quick

3. doesn’t require strong interview skills

4 limitations of structures interviews

1. not qualitative

2. no theoretical avenues

3. limited responses

4. difficult to create complexity

what are semi-structured interviews

• interviewer used the schedule flexibly (can ask follow up questions)

• order of questions is adapted

• guided conversation

• mostly open-ended questions

• rapport built up at the start of the interview

5 strengths of semi-structured interviews

1. richer detail/understanding of experiences

2. some standardisation is possible

3. captures complexities & inconsistencies

4. useful for sensitive topics

5. empowers interviewee

limitation of semi-structured interviews

not a natural conversation

what are unstructured interviews

• interviewer has a topic guide & tells interviewee that they don’t know all the relevant questions in advance

• interviewee is allowed to lead the interview

• questions are developed & adapted appropriately

3 strengths of unstructured interviews

1. empowers interviewee to define & focus on whats important to theme

2. useful fro when little is known about a topic/specific target group

3. rich/detailed/complex data

4 limitations of unstructured interviews

1. requires good interview skills

2. less standardisation & reliability

3. complex to analyse

4. bias potential

what is a focus group

• skilled moderator has topic guide but volunteers interact with each other & moderator so statements can be challenged/developed

• group dynamics is integral to data generation

• meanings are jointly constructed

• often recorded

4 strengths of focus groups

1. higher ecological validity than individual interviews (more naturalistic)

2. can get different perspectives on a topic

3. large data collection in a short time

4. inexpensive

5 limitations of focus groups

1. not always used for sensitive topics

2. recording can reduce quality of group dynamics

3. social desirability

4. power issues in group dynamics

5. ethics

4 steps to constructing an interview schedule

1. identify relevant topics & questions

2. phrase questions in a way that allows interviewees to express detail

3. use a logical order (eg. general → specific or easy to answer → sensitive)

4. consider how to build rapport/make interviewee comfortable

what does a bad interview schedule design result in

less interviewee engagement & weak data

6 things that makes a good interviewer

• creates a safe environment

• addresses ethical issues (consent, confidentiality etc.)

• cares about interviewees wellbeing

• flexible & self aware

• aware of non-verbal communication

• uses language effectively