Social Research Methods - Qualitative Research

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key concepts from the course on qualitative research methods.

Qualitative Research

A type of research primarily focused on words and images rather than numbers, often using inductive methods to develop theories.

Grounded Theory

An approach in qualitative research that involves developing theories from systematically gathered and analyzed data.

Inductive Process

A method of reasoning that constructs general principles from specific observations.

Trustworthiness

Criteria for evaluating qualitative research, including credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

Ethnography

A qualitative research method that studies people and cultures in their natural settings, emphasizing immersive observation.

Participant Observation

A research method where the researcher actively engages in the daily life of the participants to gather insights.

Key Informants

Participants who have a deep understanding of the group being studied and can provide valuable information.

Reactiveness

The phenomenon where study participants alter their behavior due to awareness of being observed.

Credibility

An evaluation criterion in qualitative research assessing if the findings genuinely reflect the participants' experiences.

Sampling

The process of selecting participants or sites for research, commonly using purposive or snowball strategies.

Trustworthiness Criteria

Standards such as credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability that validate qualitative research.

Semi-structured Interviewing

An interview method that combines pre-determined questions with the flexibility to explore topics more deeply.

Discourse Analysis

A research approach that examines how language constructs understanding and power relationships in social contexts.

Iterative Process

A cyclical method in qualitative research where data collection and analysis occur continuously to refine understanding.

Contextual Understanding

Insight into behaviors and meanings derived from the social and cultural context in which they occur.

Naturalism

An approach in qualitative research that seeks to observe social settings as they naturally occur without interference.

Transferability

The extent to which findings from a study can be applied to other contexts or groups.

Document Analysis

The qualitative assessment of textual or visual documents to extract themes and meanings.

Field Notes

Detailed records kept by researchers documenting observations, conversations, and reflections during fieldwork.

Visual Ethnography

A qualitative research method that incorporates visual materials like photographs and videos.

Analytic Memos

Notes that link observations to theoretical concepts, helping to frame interpretations throughout the research process.