RM 10
Qualitative Methods in Psychology
Introduction
Presented by Zsolt Horváth, focusing on qualitative research methods in psychology.
Page 1: Qualitative vs. Quantitative Methods
An exploration of the differences and implications of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
Page 2: Philosophical Assumptions
Positivism: Scientific examination is limited to observable and measurable phenomena.
Realism: Suggests a single, concrete reality that can be discovered through objective investigation.
Page 3: Criticism of Positivism
Constructivism: Argues that knowledge is relative; 'facts' are social constructions that may vary by researcher.
Example: Gender differences vs. similarities in research interpretations.
Relativism: Proposes that objective knowledge is an illusion, as each individual constructs their reality based on personal frameworks.
Page 4: Constructivism and Relativism in Psychology
Measurement Challenges: Differences in interpreting characteristics like extraversion affect agreement among researchers.
Quantitative research finds may seem objective, but they can be overly general and speculative.
Page 5: Examples of Constructivism
Kohlberg’s Work on Moral Development: Critiqued by Gilligan who identified gender-specific differences in moral reasoning, emphasizing that female moral thinking is not inferior but different.
Page 6: Influence of Culture on Self-Perception
Markus & Kitayama's research illustrated how cultural backgrounds shape one's self-construal (independent vs. interdependent).
Asian cultures emphasize relatedness; American culture emphasizes individuality and independence.
Page 7: Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research Methods
Quantitative research aims for strict scientific recognition; however, it often adopts pragmatic methods.
Most psychologists accept both qualitative and quantitative methods but differ in application based on research questions.
Page 8: Mixed Methods
Combining qualitative and quantitative methods to explore various dimensions of research questions.
Qualitative studies may inform follow-up quantitative research.
Page 9: Specific Study on Burnout during COVID-19
BMC Public Health Study: Focused on the experiences of healthcare professionals during the pandemic, integrating qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys to assess burnout and job satisfaction.
Page 10: Limitations of Quantitative Approaches
Generally results in narrow knowledge of human behavior due to controlled procedures and rigid methodologies.
Example: Experiment measuring recalls of lists may not reflect meaningful memory use in everyday contexts.
Page 11: Narrows Understanding of Complex Constructs
Quantitative constructs can oversimplify psychological phenomena, failing to capture the richness of human experiences.
Using a numerical scale to measure attitudes neglects the complexity of individual beliefs and opinions.
Page 12: Ethical Considerations and Limitations in Quantitative Research
Quantitative research often distances participants from their social environments.
One-sided relationships between researcher and participant can lead to overlooked qualitative nuances.
Page 13: Characteristics of Qualitative Approaches
Focuses on social, contextual meanings rather than objective quantifiable data.
Researchers are seen as integral participants in the meaning-making process.
Page 14: Data Collection in Qualitative Research
Diverse methods, including interviews, discussions, observations, and visual data, are encouraged to capture rich qualitative insights.
Page 15: Reflexivity in Qualitative Research
Recognizing the researcher’s influence and perspective on the research process and outcomes.
It’s essential to maintain a reflexive approach throughout qualitative research to ensure validity and credibility of findings.
Page 16: Assessing Quality in Qualitative Research
Traditional quality criteria (e.g., reliability, validity) are not suitable for qualitative methods.
Emphasis on transparency and subjectivity in findings and interpretations is key.
Strategies include triangulation, member validation, and a clear audit trail of data and analysis.
Page 17: Practical Implications
Implementing recommendations for improving qualitative research practices enhances the rigor and relevance of findings.
Page 18: Conclusion
Qualitative research in psychology is characterized by its focus on subjective experience, cultural context, and complex social processes, highlighting the importance of a multifaceted approach to understanding human behavior.