Qualitative Research Design

What is the primary purpose of qualitative research design?

To explore and understand meaning, context, and lived experiences in depth.

How does qualitative research design differ from quantitative research design?

Qualitative research is flexible, exploratory, and focuses on non-numerical data, while quantitative research is structured, aims for generalizability, and relies on statistical analysis.

Why is flexibility important in qualitative research design?

Because the study evolves as new insights emerge, allowing researchers to adjust their approach accordingly.

What does it mean for qualitative research to have an 'emergent' design?

The research design is not fixed at the beginning and may change as the study progresses based on findings.

What are the key characteristics of qualitative research?

Naturalistic inquiry, contextual understanding, inductive analysis, subjectivity and reflexivity.

Why is context crucial in qualitative research?

Because meaning is shaped by social, cultural, and environmental factors.

What is the role of the researcher in qualitative research?

The researcher acts as the primary instrument for data collection and interpretation.

What is meant by 'subjectivity' in qualitative research?

Researchers acknowledge their perspectives and how they influence the study.

How does qualitative research handle theory?

It often uses an inductive approach, developing theories from the data rather than testing pre-existing ones.

What are the five major qualitative research methodologies?

Ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, case study, narrative research.

What is ethnography?

A research approach that immerses the researcher in a cultural or social setting to understand participants' perspectives.

What is phenomenology?

A methodology focused on studying individuals' lived experiences to understand their meanings.

What is grounded theory?

A method aimed at developing theories based on systematically collected data.

What is a case study in qualitative research?

An in-depth analysis of a single case, such as an individual, group, or event.

What is narrative research?

A methodology that explores personal stories to understand how people construct meaning in their lives.

How does qualitative research differ from quantitative research in terms of sampling?

It uses purposive or theoretical sampling instead of random sampling.

What is purposive sampling?

Selecting participants intentionally based on their relevance to the research question.

What is theoretical sampling?

A process in grounded theory where sampling decisions evolve as data analysis progresses.

What is snowball sampling?

A method where existing participants help recruit additional participants for the study.

What are the most common qualitative data collection methods?

Interviews, observations, focus groups, document and artifact analysis.

What are the three types of interviews in qualitative research?

Structured, semi-structured, unstructured.

Why are semi-structured interviews popular in qualitative research?

They provide a balance between guided questions and flexibility for deeper exploration.

How do focus groups differ from interviews?

They involve group discussions, allowing participants to interact and generate collective insights.

What is participant observation?

A method where the researcher immerses themselves in the environment and observes behaviors while sometimes participating.

What role do documents play in qualitative research?

They provide contextual information through existing texts, such as journals, reports, or letters.

What are the main steps in qualitative data analysis?

Data collection, coding and categorization, thematic analysis, interpretation.

What is coding in qualitative research?

The process of organizing data into meaningful categories.

What is thematic analysis?

A method for identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns (themes) in qualitative data.

What is constant comparison in qualitative research?

A technique in grounded theory where new data is continuously compared to emerging concepts.

What is member checking?

A validation process where participants review and confirm the accuracy of the researcher's findings.

What are the major ethical concerns in qualitative research?

Informed consent, confidentiality and anonymity, researcher-participant relationships, potential harm to participants.

Why is informed consent important in qualitative research?

It ensures that participants understand the study’s purpose, risks, and their right to withdraw.

How do researchers protect participant confidentiality?

By using pseudonyms, secure data storage, and limiting access to sensitive information.

Why must researchers be aware of power dynamics in qualitative research?

To avoid exploiting or influencing participants unfairly.

What is trustworthiness in qualitative research?

A measure of a study’s credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.

What is credibility?

The confidence that findings reflect reality, enhanced by techniques like triangulation and member checking.

What is transferability?

The extent to which findings can apply to other contexts or groups.

What is dependability?

Ensuring findings are consistent and repeatable under similar conditions.

What is confirmability?

Demonstrating that findings are shaped by participants’ experiences rather than researcher bias.

What are common limitations of qualitative research?

Small sample sizes, subjectivity and potential bias, time-consuming data collection and analysis, limited generalizability.

How do qualitative researchers address bias?

Through reflexivity, transparency, and triangulation.

Why is qualitative research often criticized for lacking generalizability?

Because it focuses on depth over breadth and studies specific cases rather than large populations.