RB

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.