week 8 qual vs quant

quant data - anything which we decide can be measured/quantified

qual data - words/images/anything with meaning

how is data analysed - quant = stats tests, qual = thematic analysis, visual analysis etc

research questions formulated as - quant = differences/relationships with testable hypotheses, qual = exploratory/inductive qs frequently how qs

epistemological orientations - quant = positivist, experimental, essentialist, qual = interpretative, phenomenological, social constructivist, critical realist

findings presented as - quant = tables/graphs/test results, qual - narratives/themes/discourses/interpretations etc

findings seek to demonstrate - quant - cause and effect of variables on each other/relationships between variables/generalisable findings (don’t want to run too specific an experiment)/replicable data, evidence support for hypothesis

qual - rich descriptions of experience/theory generation/context specific truths

role of the researcher - aim to be objective/distant/minimising bias, qual = subjective/close to ppts, involved, reflexivity “Reflexivity is the examination of one's own beliefs, judgments and practices during the research process and how these may have influenced the research.” - uni of warwick

reliability and validity mean:

• qual - essential tools of the positivistic paradigm

  • reliability means we would find the same thing if the study was repeated

  • validity asks how empirically accurate the findings are - did you really measure what you said you were going to

• quant - criticised as less reliable/valid HOWEVER

  • should be judged on trustworthiness (including credibility/authenticity and reflexivity)

  • validity = how accurate are the interpretations - rigor of application of analytical methods and engagement/acknowledgment of reflexivity