Slide 1

Produced by the Applied Research Center and the Alvin Sherman Library Video: 11 min.

Slide 2

Theory Use in Qualitative Methods The definition of theory remains the same but is typically applied differently in qualitative methods: The theory provides a broad explanation of behavior and attitudes Establish a theoretical lens (i.e., orienting lens) Feminist perspective Racialized discourse Critical theory Starts with an endpoint - a theory that is generated (inductive) No theory is employed (the inquiry is developed explicitly from participants as seen in phenomenological approaches)

Slide 3

Theoretical Lens The definition of theory remains the same but is typically applied differently in qualitative methods: The theory provides a broad explanation of behavior and attitudes Establish a theoretical lens (i.e., orienting lens) Feminist perspective Racialized discourse Critical theory Starts with an endpoint - a theory that is generated (inductive) No theory is employed (the inquiry is developed explicitly from participants as seen in phenomenological approaches) Theory Use in Qualitative Methods

Slide 4

Inductive Grounded Theory The definition of theory remains the same but is typically applied differently in qualitative methods: The theory provides a broad explanation of behavior and attitudes Establish a theoretical lens (i.e., orienting lens) Feminist perspective Racialized discourse Critical theory Starts with an endpoint - a theory that is generated (inductive) No theory is employed (the inquiry is developed explicitly from participants as seen in phenomenological approaches) Theory Use in Qualitative Methods

Slide 5

No Theory The definition of theory remains the same but is typically applied differently in qualitative methods: The theory provides a broad explanation of behavior and attitudes Establish a theoretical lens (i.e., orienting lens) Feminist perspective Racialized discourse Critical theory Starts with an endpoint - a theory that is generated (inductive) No theory is employed (the inquiry is developed explicitly from participants as seen in phenomenological approaches) Theory Use in Qualitative Methods

Slide 6

Sometimes referred to as: Paradigms of social science Theoretical lens Foundational theory (same as theoretical lens) Conflict theory Marxist theory Structural functionalism Symbolic interaction Feminist perspective Racialized discourse Critical theory Queer theory Disability inquiry Paradigms, Theoretical Lens, Foundational Theory Theory Use in Qualitative Methods

Slide 7

Applications Theoretical lens or foundational theory Grounded theory Does NOT include initial a priori presentation of one of the big foundational theories Critical-reflexive theory Theory Use in Qualitative Methods (cont.)

Slide 8

Types of Theories Theories can be broken down into types: Grand theory Mid-range theory Micro-level theory

Slide 9

Examples of Types of Theories Theories can be broken down into types: Grand theory Mid-range theory Micro-level theory Examples: TypePsychologySocial/Educational Grand theory Psychodynamic theorySocial construction Mid-range theory Five stage theorySocial interaction Micro-level theory Individual formation theory Phenomenology Types of Theories

Slide 10

More Examples of Theories Used for Qualitative Methods Professionalisation theory by Elliot Freidson Labelling theory by Scheff Negotiated order theory by Strauss

Slide 11

The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher analyzes data to form themes or categories Researcher looks for broad patterns, generalizations, or theories from themes or categories Researcher poses generalizations,or theories, and compares to past experiences and literature Researcher gathers information

Slide 12

Researcher Gathers Information Researcher gathers information The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods

Slide 13

Open-Ended Questions and Fieldnotes Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher gathers information The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods

Slide 14

Analyze Data to Form Themes Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher analyzes data to form themes or categories Researcher gathers information The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods

Slide 15

Look for Broad Patterns Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher looks for broad patterns, generalizations, or theories from themes or categories Researcher gathers information The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods

Slide 16

Pose Generalizations or Theories Researcher asks open-ended questions of participants or records fieldnotes Researcher analyzes data to form themes or categories Researcher looks for broad patterns, generalizations, or theories from themes or categories Researcher poses generalizations,or theories, and compares to past experiences and literature Researcher gathers information The Inductive Logic of Research in Qualitative Methods

Slide 17

Example of a Theoretical Lens Qualitative example with a theoretical lens: Haldenby, A. M., Berman, H., & Forchuk, C. (2007). Homelessness and health in adolescents. Qualitative Health Research, 17(9), 12321244.

Slide 18

Data Used to Generate Theory Harley, A. E., Buckworth, J., Katz, M. L., Willis, S. K., Odoms-Young, & Heaney, C. A. (2009). Developing long-term physical activity participation: A grounded theory study with African American women. Health Education & Behavior, 36(1).

Slide 19

Use of Theory in Mixed Methods Mixed methods studies may: Include theory deductively (theory testing) Quantitatively oriented Include theory inductively (an emerging pattern) Qualitatively oriented Use a theoretical lens and framework to guide the study Emphasis is equal between QUAL and QUAN

Slide 20

Lit Review and Theoretical Perspective in Mixed Methods Parmelee, J. H., Perkins, S. C., & Sayre, J. J. (2007). What about people our age? Applying qualitative and quantitative methods to uncover how political ads alienate college students. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 1(2), 183199

Slide 21

Chapter 1: Placement of Theory Chapter 1: Introduction A brief introduction to the theory can be placed in the Introduction Chapter 2: Literature Review A separate section (usually in the early parts of Ch. 2) should be devoted to the identification and description of the theory Citation cite the original source of a theory. Example Smith and Wadestein (2009) used the Social Learning Theory as the theoretical framework in their study. The citation would look something like this: Banduras (1977) social learning theory was used as the theoretical Placement and Citation

Slide 22

Chapter 2: Placement of Theory Chapter 1: Introduction A brief introduction to the theory can be placed in the Introduction Chapter 2: Literature Review A separate section (usually in the early parts of Ch. 2) should be devoted to the identification and description of the theory Citation cite the original source of a theory. Example Smith and Wadestein (2009) used the Social Learning Theory as the theoretical framework in their study. The citation would look something like this: Banduras (1977) social learning theory was used as the theoretical Placement and Citation

Slide 23

Citation Chapter 1: Introduction A brief introduction to the theory can be placed in the Introduction Chapter 2: Literature Review A separate section (usually in the early parts of Ch. 2) should be devoted to the identification and description of the theory Citation cite the original source of a theory. Example Smith and Wadestein (2009) used the social learning theory as the theoretical framework in their study. The text citation would look something like this:Banduras (1977) social learning theory was used as the theoretical foundation for Smith and Wadesteins (2009) study. Placement and Citation

Slide 24

Selected References Anfara, V., & Mertz, N. T. (2006). Theoretical frameworks in qualitative research. Thousand Oaks: Sage. Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Reeves, S., Albert, M., Kuper, A., & Hodges, B. D. (2008). Why use theories in qualitative research? British Medical Journal, (337:a949), 631-634. doi:10.1136/bmj.a949 Scott, G., & Garner, R. (2013). Doing qualitative research: Designs, methods, and techniques. Boston, MA: Pearson.