Qualitative

Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Types of Qualitative Research Data Collection in Qualitative Studies Sample Size in Qualitative Studies Reliability and Validity of data Analysis Critiquing

Quantitative--based on manipulation and control, results verified by sense data (by the researcher)

Qualitative--based on insights and understandings about individual perception of events (by the subjects)

Quantitative research--rich, real and valid data , hard, replicable and reliable data, deductive, theory testing approach, whereas:

Qualitative research in-depth descriptions of people or events researcher focuses on patterns and themes, rather

than the testing of hypotheses Inductive approach--open to new ideas and theories not as well circumscribed as quantitative and more

difficult for novice

Phenomenological Studies Ethnographic Studies Grounded Theory Studies Historical Studies Case Studies

Examine human experiences through the descriptions of the people involved-- “lived experiences”

Involves the qualities of humanness, e.g.: individualism self determination wholeness uniqueness open system

In order to understand other’s lived experiences the researcher must first determine what she expects and deliberately put this aside.

Example, bereft mother of SIDs infant--researcher says what would I feel and then put that feeling aside

No preconceived notions Researchers must “dwell with the

subjects’ descriptions” Grounded in philosophy

Collection of data and analysis about cultural groups

Explaining how actions in one world make sense from the point of view of another world

The systematic process of observing, detailing, documenting, the lifeways of one culture in order to understand our own.

Researcher “goes native” and lives with and adopts the culture of another.

Interview key “informants” about the meaning of cultural rites and rituals.Participant observation interviewsgenealogydemography life histories

New questions emerge as data is analyzed.

The nurse can explore health care from the point of view of health care consumers.

Developed by Glaser and Strauss

Data are collected and analyzed and then a theory is developed that is “grounded” in the data.

A major source of theory development

The process by which data collection and analysis occur simultaneously--new data is compared to that which has already been gathered. Pertinent concepts are assigned codes which are reviewed with new data and interpretations.(soothing, placating, asserting)

Literature consulted to determine if these codes have been identified before--no preliminary review avoids “premature closure”.(problem with early ROL)

Identification, Location, Evaluation and Synthesis of data from the past to connect past happenings to the present and future.Problem identifiedLiterature reviewedResearch questions formulatedData collected and analyzed.

The researcher becomes a detective

Documents (newspapers, journals, legal documents, diaries)

relics artifacts photographs oral history

Oral histories Written records Diaries Eyewitnesses Photographs Physical evidence

External Criticism--authenticity of the data Internal Criticism--accuracy of the data

In-depth examinations of people or groups of people. Organizations, services or experiences may be the focus.

May be qualitative or quantitative Content Analysis used to examine

“themes” Selection bias and attrition may be

difficulties.

No specified time or end pointMethods semistructured interviews participant observation focus groups, etc.Saturation Data become redundant, no new

information generated

No set sample size (N) Usually smaller than quantitative Most qualitative samples range from 6-30

No rigor, objectivity, nor replicability Relevance of findings more important Triangulation of data sought for

reliability Saturation used for both reliability and

validity

Compared by the grading of multiple choice (quantitative) to essay (qualitative) exams

word analysis content analysis identification of themes on going and circular