Post on 20-Aug-2015
Educational Research
Overview of Qualitative Research
Gay, Mills, and Airasian
State the definition and purpose of qualitative research.
1.1 Define qualitative research. 1.2 Describe the purpose of
qualitative research. 1.3 Identify four unique
characteristics of qualitative research.
Describe the six steps in the qualitative research process.
2.1 Describe the six steps of the qualitative research process.
2.2 Compare the six steps used to conduct qualitative research with the six steps used to conduct quantitative research.
Identify different qualitative research approaches.
3.1 Describe the primary difference among qualitative research approaches.
3.2 Identify nine qualitative research approaches and discuss the unique characteristics of each.
Describe the characteristics of qualitative research.
4.1 Describe eight unique characteristics of qualitative research.
State the definition of validity in qualitative research.
5.1 Define the term validity and identify two of its components.
Describe strategies to address the trustworthiness (validity) of qualitative research
6.1 Describe four issues Guba suggests the researcher address in order to establish trustworthiness.
6.2 Describe five issues Maxwell suggests the researcher address to establish understanding.
6.3 Describe thirteen strategies Wolcott believes will enhance validity.
Describe strategies to address the replicability (reliability) of qualitative research.
7.1 Define the term reliability. 7.2 Discuss how reliability should
be viewed in qualitative research.
Describe the relationship between validity and reliability in qualitative research.
8.1 Discuss why generalizability is NOT an issue in qualitative research.
Describe the role of ethics in qualitative research.
9.1 Describe the role of ethics in qualitative research.
9.2 Discuss why it is important to think about possible ethical dilemmas in a qualitative research study before they become a problem.
9.3 Identify two reasons why confidentiality is important in qualitative research and the way in which it is usually assured.
9.4 Identify six ethical guidelines that should be followed when conducting qualitative research.
Topics Discussed in this Session
Definition and purpose of qualitative research
General steps involved in qualitative research
Qualitative research approaches Characteristics of qualitative research Validity, reliability, and
generalizability Ethics
The Nature of Qualitative Research
Qualitative research is the collection, analysis, and interpretation of comprehensive narrative data in order to gain insights into a particular phenomenon of interest Useful for describing and answering
questions about participants and contexts
Objective 1.1
The Nature of Qualitative Research
Purpose of qualitative research Promote a deep, holistic understanding
of a particular phenomenon Importance of exploring qualitative
topics Provide insight into the complexity of
common occurrences Provide specific concrete details to
guide understanding in a particular setting
Objectives 1.2 and 1.3
The Nature of Qualitative Research
The importance of exploring qualitative topics (continued) Provide insight into the “local”
meanings that activities and practices have for participants
Develop a comparative understanding of phenomena as experienced by different participants in different settings Objective 1.3
The Nature of Qualitative Research
Six General Steps Identify the research topic Review the literature Select the participants Collect data Analyze the data Report the results
These are the same steps as those used in quantitative research
Objectives 2.1 and 2.2
Range of Qualitative Approaches Nine approaches
Case study An effort to seek an understanding of a single
person or entity Ethnography
An effort to describe and analyze all or part of the culture of a community by identifying and describing participants’ practices and beliefs
Ethology An effort to compare several cultures with one
another
Objective 3.2
Range of Qualitative Approaches Nine approaches (continued)
Ethnomethodology An effort to examine people’s understanding of
their daily activities Grounded theory
An effort to derive theory grounded in the perspectives of the participants
Phenomenology An effort to understand the meaning of an
individual’s experiencesObjective 3.2
Range of Qualitative Approaches Nine approaches (continued)
Symbolic interaction An effort to seek common understandings that
emerge to give meaning to participants’ interactions
Action research An effort to seek a solution or improvement to a
practical problem in the setting in which it is occurring
Historical research An effort to seek to understand the past by
studying documents, relics, and interviews
Objective 3.2
Features of Qualitative Approaches
Differences between approaches Different social contexts are being
studied in each approach The participants are selected for
different reasons in each approach
Objective 3.1
Features of Qualitative Approaches
Eight unique characteristics Researchers immerse themselves in the
situation The data reflects the participants’ perspectives Sources of data are real-world situations or
natural contexts Data is narrative in nature Researchers focus on personal interactions with
participants
Objective 4.1
Features of Qualitative Approaches
Eight unique characteristics (continued) Researchers avoid early decisions or
assumptions about the study Data are analyzed inductively Methods provide clear, detailed
information reflecting participants’ voices
Objective 4.1
Technical Issues Validity
The degree to which the qualitative data collected accurately gauges what is being measured
Two components Trustworthiness Understanding
Objective 5.1
Technical Issues Validity
Trustworthiness Credibility – taking into account all the
complexities in the study and addressing problems that are not easily explained
Transferability – including descriptive, context-relevant statements so the reader can identify with the setting
Dependability – collecting stable data Confirmability – assuring the neutrality and
objectivity of the data
Objective 6.1
Technical Issues Validity
Understanding Descriptive validity – the factual accuracy of the
account Interpretive validity – the meaning attributed to
the behaviors or words of the participants Theoretical validity – the explanation of the
phenomenon being studied in relation to a theory Evaluative validity – sufficient objectivity in
reporting data to avoid bias, preconceived judgments, or evaluations
Objective 6.2
Technical Issues 13 strategies to ensure validity
Participate at the study site for a prolonged period of time
Use persistent observation Use peer debriefing Collect mechanically recorded data Use member checks Establish structural corroboration/coherence Establish referential adequacy
Objective 6.3
Technical Issues 13 strategies to ensure validity
(cont.) Collect detailed descriptive data Develop detailed descriptions of the
context Overlap methods (i.e., multi-methods) Establish an audit trail Practice triangulation Practice reflexivity
Objective 6.3
Technical Issues Reliability
The consistency with which data measures what is being attempted to be measured over time
Qualitative perspective The reliability of the techniques that are
being used to collect data Reliability is a necessary but not
sufficient characteristic – validity is the priority
Objectives 7.1 and 7.2
Technical Issues Generalizability
The applicability of findings to settings and contexts different from the one in which they were obtained
Internal-external validity issues revisited A depth of understanding can only be achieved
from a few participants in a very limited number of contexts
Generalizability is therefore very limited Qualitative researchers are primarily concerned
with validity and reliability and to a much lesser extent generalizability
Objective 8.1
Technical Issues General strategies for ensuring the
technical merit of a qualitative study Talk little, listen a lot Record observation accurately Begin writing early Let readers see for themselves Report fully Be candid Seek feedback Write accurately
Ethical Issues Ethics can be considered in terms of how
the researcher treats the participants in the research setting.
The nature of qualitative research provides the potential for conflict and harm. Qualitative research is intimate – there is little
distance between the researcher and the participants
Qualitative research is open-ended – the nature of the process requires the use of an emergent design as the situation unfolds
Objectives 9.1 and 9.2
Ethical Issues Six guidelines to help avoid ethical
problems Researchers should have an ethical perspective
that is close to their personal ethical position Informed consent should take the form of a
dialogue that mutually shapes the research and the results
Confidentiality is more complicated even with the use of pseudonyms
Consider the use of a video tape to illustrate a point being made
Objective 9.4
Ethical Issues Six guidelines to help avoid ethical
problems (cont.) You should be able to identify broader social
principles that are an integral part of who you are as a researcher and a contributing member of the community in which you live.
Avoidance of harm morally binds qualitative researchers to conduct their research in a manner that minimizes potential harm to those involved in the study.
Objective 9.4
Ethical Issues Six guidelines to help avoid ethical
problems (cont.) Even though an action can bring about good
results, it is not ethical unless it also conforms to ethical standards such as honesty and justice.
The qualitative researcher must remain attentive to the relationships between the researcher and the participants – a relationship that is determined by “roles, status, language, and cultural norms.”
Objective 9.4