Overview of Research Designs

1. Overview of Research Designs Qualitative

2. Outline • 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

3. Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Research • 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)

4. 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

5. Types of Qualitative Research • Phenomenological Studies • Ethnographic Studies • Grounded Theory Studies • Historical Studies • Case Studies

6. Phenomenological 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

7. Bracketing • 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

8. Phenomenological Research • No preconceived notions • Researchers must “dwell with the subjects’ descriptions” • Grounded in philosophy

9. Ethnographic Studies originally used by anthropologists • 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.

10. Ethnography • 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 • interviews • genealogy • demography • life histories New questions emerge as data is analyzed.

11. Ethnography in Nursing Research • The nurse can explore health care from the point of view of health care consumers.

12. Grounded Theory • 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

13. Grd. Thry--Constant comparison • 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)

14. Historical Studies • Identification, Location, Evaluation and Synthesis of data from the past to connect past happenings to the present and future. • Problem identified • Literature reviewed • Research questions formulated • Data collected and analyzed. • The researcher becomes a detective

15. Data are different • Documents (newspapers, journals, legal documents, diaries) • relics • artifacts • photographs • oral history

16. Primary Sources Preferred • Oral histories • Written records • Diaries • Eyewitnesses • Photographs • Physical evidence

17. External vs. Internal Criticism of the data • External Criticism--authenticity of the data • Internal Criticism--accuracy of the data

18. Case Studies • 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.

19. Data collection in qualitative research • No specified time or end point Methods • semistructured interviews • participant observation • focus groups, etc. Saturation • Data become redundant, no new information generated

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

21. Reliability and Validity • No rigor, objectivity, nor replicability • Relevance of findings more important • Triangulation of data sought for reliability • Saturation used for both reliability and validity

22. Analysis • Compared by the grading of multiple choice (quantitative) to essay (qualitative) exams • word analysis • content analysis • identification of themes • on going and circular