Qualitative Research in Psychology Notes

Acknowledgement of Country

• Murdoch University acknowledges the Whadjuk and Binjareb Noongar people on whose land it is situated.
• Recognition of the enduring and dynamic culture of Noongar elders.
• Importance of the land as a place of learning over thousands of years.

Goals of the Lecture

• Understand differences between qualitative and quantitative research.
• Explore various qualitative research designs and data collection methods.
• Prepare for Quiz 3 based on Chapter 5 of the textbook and lecture content.

Qualitative Research in Psychology

• Focuses on in-depth understanding of participants’ perspectives and experiences.
• Aims for richness in data about fewer individuals to gain a thorough understanding.
• Allows researchers to explore complex social phenomena.

Research Process Overview

• Steps in research remain consistent: research questions, design, findings, and publication.
• Differences arise based on methodology used (qualitative vs. quantitative).

Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research:

• In-depth exploration of a few individuals' experiences.
• Focuses on meaning and how individuals interpret events.
• Used for rare phenomena or detailed understanding.

Quantitative Research:

• Gathers specific data from larger groups.
• Emphasizes statistical analysis and hypothesis testing.
• Seeks to generalize findings across broader populations.

Qualitative Research Examples

1. Bariatric Surgery Experiences:
   • Investigates the personal experiences of Australian individuals who underwent surgery.
2. Trust in Leadership:
   • Examines how contemporary leaders build and sustain trust in workplaces.
3. Alcohol Product Warnings:
   • Explores perceptions of alcohol warnings among young adult drinkers.
4. African Migrant Men and Mental Health:
   • Looks at preferences and experiences regarding mental health help-seeking.

Key Features of Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research:

• Values participant insight and fewer participants.
• Emphasizes natural settings and detailed descriptions.
• Researcher less structured, with little hypothesis testing.

Quantitative Research:

• Focuses on larger groups for statistical relevance.
• More structured to maintain consistency across participants.
• Seeks to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Qualitative Approaches

• ‘Little q’ Methods (Top Down): Pre-determined categories for analysis.
• ‘Big Q’ Methods (Bottom Up): Focus on individual experiences and meanings.

Examples:

1. Little q Example:
   • Analysis of #fitspiration images on Instagram focusing on their characteristics.
2. Big Q Example:
   • Thematic analysis of parent-child conversations about COVID-19 and preparedness.

When to Use Different Approaches

• ‘Little q’ for testing theories.
• ‘Big Q’ for exploring lived experiences.

Different Methodologies in Qualitative Research

• Phenomenology, Ethnography, Case Study, Action Research, Grounded Theory, Narrative Inquiry, Descriptive Study.

Epistemology and Ontology in Research

• Ontological Assumptions: Understanding of reality and what can be known.
• Epistemological Assumptions: Methods for acquiring knowledge and understanding of reality.

Reflexivity in Qualitative Research

• The impact of the researcher’s personal background and biases on the research process.
• Acknowledges researcher subjectivity as part of knowledge construction.

Critical Language Awareness

• The role of language in shaping experiences and its varying influence in qualitative research.

Quality in Qualitative Research

• Coherence: Alignment of methodology with epistemological and ontological assumptions.
• Reflexivity: Acknowledgment of researcher influence on the study.
• Rigour: Systematic approach and documentation.
• Richness: Detailed and interpretative description of data.