Qualitative Research

Aspects of a Qualitative Study

- Based on a written/spoken narrative that is non-numerical

- Embraces a multitude of different perspectives

- Inductive with small sample sizes

- Systemic + Subjective approach

When is Qualitative Research useful?

- Describing phenomena and gives them meaning

- Useful for understanding concepts pain, caring, and powerlessness

- Holistic

Qualitative Research Process

1) Identify a topic

2) State problem or question

3) Justify signficance of study

4) Design study

5) Identify and gain access to data sources

6) Select study subjects/participants

Rigor in Qualitative Research

The excellence of study, how it was conducted, it's accuracy

Aspects of Rigor in Qualitative Research

- Openness

- Scrupulous adherence to a philosophical perspective

- Carefulness in data collection

- Thoroughness in analyzing data

Where on the level of evidence does qualitative research fall?

Level 5, (second to last,) next to case reports

Methodology

Participants selected based on their knowledge, experience, or views related to phenomena of interest

Two types of sampling

- Purposive sampling

- Network sampling

Purposive sampling

A non-probability sampling method where researchers intentionally select participants who possess specific characteristics or expertise relevant to the research question, rather than selecting them randomly

Network sampling

Type of nonprobability sampling that takes advantage of social networks

Researcher-Participant Relationships

- Participants are treated as colleagues rather than subjects.

- The researcher must have the support and confidence of participants to complete the study.

- Maintaining relationships is of utmost importance.

Data Collection

- Interviews and Focus Groups

- Observation using field notes

- Participant can write their own notes

Types of Interviews

Structured (rigid), semi-structured (flexible/elastic), unstructured (no set goal, focus on probing and open-ended questions.)

When does data collection stop?

- When we reach data saturation (no new information is being generated.)

- Verification

Data Management

- Analysis is done concurrently with data collection

- Word-for-word transcripts

- Computer-assisted analysis software may be used

Data Anaylsis

- Dwelling with the data (immersed/reading the data)

- Coding

- Identifying themes and interpreting findings

Research Approaches/Designs

- Phenomenological

- Grounded Theory

- Ethnography

- Exploratory-Descriptive

- Case Study

What does phenomenology focus on?

The descriptive and interpretation of people's lived experiences

What technique does phenomenology use to set aside biases and preconceptions?

Bracketing

What is the term for phenomenology that acknowledges the presence of bias even with bracketing?

Interpretive Phenomenology

Grounded Theory

An inductive method of generating theory from data by using relational statements between concepts with a focus on social processes.

Ethnography

The method by which researchers attempt to understand and describe a group or culture by immersing themselves in it (emic perspective).

Exploratory-Descriptive

- Not a "single type" of resaerch but a category used for when a research type doesn't fit into another category.

- Tend to be electic, utilizing many aspects from different types of research designs.

Case Study

A descriptive technique in which one individual or group is studied in great depth with the possible drawback of not being able to generalize findings

Critiquing a Qualitative Research Study

Step 1: Identify the components of the qualitative research process

Step 2: Determine the study strengths and weaknesses

Step 3: Evaluate the trustworthiness and meaning of the findings

Credibility (comparable to validity in Quantitative Research)

The confidence of the reader about how wellthe researcher's results reflect the true views of the participants.

For example: look for direct quotes

Triangulation in Mixed-Methods

Use of two or more theories, methods, data sources, investigators, or analysis methods in a study.