Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics Flashcards

Flashcards covering qualitative research methodological issues, ethical concerns, conceptual frameworks, analytical strategies, and sampling techniques.

Methodological issue

A weakness in research design, sampling, or analysis that affects the quality or validity of findings.

Sampling bias

When the sample does not represent diverse perspectives, often due to selection methods like snowball or convenience sampling.

Snowball sampling limitation

Participants tend to refer similar individuals, leading to homogeneity and bias.

Convenience sampling limitation

Participants are chosen based on ease of access, reducing representativeness.

Weak integration of data

When multiple data sources (e.g., interviews + documents) are not clearly connected in analysis.

Coding issue

When codes/themes are unclear, unsupported, or poorly developed.

Lack of triangulation

Using only one data source or method, reducing credibility.

Common analytical limitation

Failure to link findings directly to data or evidence.

Ignoring power dynamics

A methodological issue that oversimplifies analysis and fails to capture structural inequalities.

Informed consent

The ethical requirement that participants must know about the study and agree to participate voluntarily.

Confidentiality

Protecting participants’ identity and personal information.

Anonymity

Ensuring participants cannot be identified in the research.

Ethical issue with observation

Observing people without consent, especially in semi-public spaces.

Emotional harm

Risk of distress when participants discuss sensitive topics (e.g., eviction).

Power imbalance

Unequal power between researcher and participants that may influence responses.

Vulnerable populations

Groups at higher risk of harm or exploitation in research who require specific ethical consideration.

Misrepresentation

Incorrectly interpreting or presenting participants’ experiences.

Social Constructivism

A framework focusing on how individuals construct meaning from their experiences.

Postpositivism

A framework seeking explanation and cause-effect relationships while trying to minimize bias.

Transformative framework

A framework focused on empowerment and social change for marginalized groups.

Critical Theory

A framework examining power, inequality, and structural oppression in society.

Postmodernism

A framework challenging dominant narratives and questioning how knowledge is constructed.

Pragmatism

A framework focusing on practical solutions and what works in real-world contexts.

Postcolonial Theory

A framework critiquing colonial power structures and valuing marginalized knowledge.

Postpositivism research focus

Explaining cause-and-effect relationships and identifying patterns objectively.

Postpositivism research question

“What factors predict or explain $X$?”

Postpositivism homelessness example

“What factors statistically predict homelessness?”

Postpositivism clue words

Predict, measure, explain, variables, cause-effect.

Social Constructivism research focus

Understanding how individuals experience and make meaning of the world.

Social Constructivism research question

“How do people experience or interpret $X$?”

Social Constructivism homelessness example

“How do homeless people experience public space?”

Social Constructivism clue words

Experience, meaning, perception, lived experience.

Transformative framework research focus

Empowering marginalized groups and promoting social change.

Transformative research question

“How can this group create change or influence policy?”

Transformative homelessness example

“How can homeless people shape housing policy?”

Transformative clue words

Empowerment, justice, change, voice, advocacy.

Postmodernism research focus

Critiquing language, labels, and dominant narratives.

Postmodernism research question

“How is $X$ constructed or framed in discourse?”

Postmodernism homelessness example

“How does society label the ‘undeserving poor’?”

Postmodernism clue words

Discourse, narrative, labels, representation, deconstruction.

Pragmatism research focus

Finding practical solutions to real-world problems.

Pragmatism research question

“What works best to solve $X$?”

Pragmatism homelessness example

“Which shelter model works best?”

Pragmatism clue words

Solution, practical, effectiveness, what works.

Critical Theory research focus

Examining power, inequality, and structural systems.

Critical Theory research question

“How do systems create or maintain inequality?”

Critical Theory homelessness example

“How do housing markets produce homelessness?”

Critical Theory clue words

Power, inequality, capitalism, systems, structure.

Thematic analysis

Identifying recurring patterns or themes in qualitative data.

Structural narrative analysis

Examined how stories are structured and organized.

Dialogic narrative analysis

Focuses on how stories are shaped by context and interaction.

Phenomenological analysis

essence of experience

Open coding

Breaking data into initial pieces and assigning codes.

Axial coding

Connecting categories and identifying relationships.

Selective coding

Developing the central or core theory.

Constant comparison

Continuously comparing data to refine codes and categories.

Purposive sampling

Selecting participants based on relevance to the research question.

Snowball sampling

A strategy where participants recruit other participants through referrals.

Convenience sampling

Selecting participants based on ease of access.

Theoretical sampling

Selecting participants based on emerging data to develop theory.

Snowball sampling homogeneity

The tendency for participants to refer similar individuals, leading to bia.

Postpositivism objective patterns

The core focus of Postpositivism involves identifying these through cause-and-effect explanation.

Construction of meaning

The central focus of Social Constructivism regarding individual experience.

Social change promotion

The primary goal of the Transformative research framework.

Critique of labels

A key element of Postmodernism research focusing on language and discourse.

Practical real-world focus

The defining characteristic of the Pragmatism framework.

Structural system examination

The method used in Critical Theory to evaluate power and inequality.

Lived experience essence

The specific element extracted during phenomenological analysis.

Category connection

The primary purpose of axial coding within the analytical process.

Emerging data selection

The primary driver for choosing participants in theoretical sampling.