Chapter 3 Qualitative Research Methods FPO for Cover Image The Psychologist as Detective: An Introduction to Conducting Research in Psychology Randolph A. Smith Stephen F. Davis Chapter 3 Qualitative Research Methods © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives 3.1 Describe qualitative research and its characteristics 3.2 Describe a few examples of qualitative research methods © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

General Overview Objective 3.1 Describe qualitative research and its characteristics © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.1 General Overview (1 of 2) Characteristics of Qualitative Research - Human interactions - Encompassing picture - Words - Views of informants as research basis - Natural setting Characteristics of Qualitative Research Point 1 – Human interactions Meanings associated with people and things Changing meanings Point 2 – Encompassing picture Examines the whole of a problem or topic Puts reader into the situation Point 3 – Words Lack of statistics Reports with words Point 4 – Views of informants as research basis No preconceived hypothesis Ongoing research Developing hypotheses Point 5 – Natural setting Commitment to extensive research Lengthy time in field Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.1 General Overview (2 of 2) Data Analysis - Confirmability - Dependability - Credibility - Transferability Data Analysis Point 1 – Confirmability Use of other researchers to check study Indicate procedures and recheck data Point 2 – Dependability Analogous to reliability Acknowledge and decide the nature of the study Context is often volatile Point 3 – Credibility Study accuracy Identification and description of subject Participants can review study Point 4 – Transferability Generalizability Thorough and clear report Detailed assumptions Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods Objective 3.2 Describe a few examples of qualitative research methods © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (1 of 11) Naturalistic Observation - Natural activity in natural settings Naturalistic Observation Point 1 – Natural activity in natural settings Determine focus of study Plan the logistics Plan the trustworthiness of the study Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (2 of 11) Ethnographic Inquiry - Learn about a culture - Participant observation - Limitations Ethnographic Inquiry Point 1 – Learn about a culture From perspective of member Point 2 – Participant observation Humans or animals Observer as participant Participant as observer Point 3 – Limitations Time intensive Expensive Objectivity Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (3 of 11) Focus Groups - Small group Focus Groups Point 1 – Small group 7-10 people Shared experiences Typically do not know one another Use of a moderator 6-10 key questions Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (4 of 11) Interview Studies - Aspect of study - Recording interviews - Structured interviews - Unstructured interviews Interview Studies Point 1 – Aspect of study Primary Secondary to another methodology Point 2 – Recording interviews Technology Written notes Point 3 – Structured interviews Predetermined script Point 4 – Unstructured interviews Few guiding principles Difficult to analyze Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (5 of 11) Narrative Studies - Stories - Narrative analysis Narrative Studies Point 1 – Stories Gather and interpret Life histories, biographies, personal experiences, etc. Point 2 – Narrative analysis Speech patterns Literature, diaries, folklore Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (6 of 11) Case Studies - Intense observation of one or two participants - Paul Broca Case Studies Point 1 – Intense observation of one or two participants Not generalizable No cause-and-effect relationships Point 2 – Paul Broca “Tan” Inspiration for future studies Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (7 of 11) Artifact Analysis - Extant artifacts Artifact Analysis Point 1 – Extant artifacts Word-based Rarely other sources (like radio stations) Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (8 of 11) Historiographies - Historical sources Historiographies Point 1 – Historical sources Primary sources (diaries, photographs) Secondary sources (newspapers, textbooks) Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (9 of 11) Symbolic Interaction - Common symbols - Two-stage process Symbolic Interaction Point 1 – Common symbols Graffiti Jewelry, religion, etc. Point 2 – Two-stage process Determine symbols Relations between and among symbols Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (10 of 11) Grounded Theory - Theory developed through the study - Research questions - Literature - Coding Grounded Theory Point 1 – Theory developed through the study Grounded in reality Creativity-driven Stems from interviews and observations Point 2 – Research questions Open-ended Point 3 – Literature Limited Nontechnical Point 4 – Coding Open coding: labels and categories Axial: Links between categories Selective coding: Core category Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

3.2 Selected Examples of Qualitative Research Methods (11 of 11) Participatory Action Research - Social programs - Fine et al. (2003) PAR Participatory Action Research Point 1 – Social programs Evaluate and understand impact Participants as equal researchers Multiple methods Point 2 – Fine et al. (2003) PAR College courses on inmate attitudes Quantitative and qualitative College courses as transformative Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.