Introduction to Qualitative Research

Philosophical Assumptions Ontology: Metaphysical study of being and the nature of reality Ontology: Metaphysical study of being and the nature of reality Axiology: Study of nature of values and judgements (overriding goal) Axiology: Study of nature of values and judgements (overriding goal) Epistemology: Study of the nature of knowledge, its presuppositions and foundations, and its extent and validity Epistemology: Study of the nature of knowledge, its presuppositions and foundations, and its extent and validity

Positivistic vs. Interpretive Ontological – nature of realityOntological – nature of reality –Objective –Single –Divisible Nature of social beingsNature of social beings –Deterministic –Reactive Ontological – nature of reality Ontological – nature of reality –Socially constructed –Multiple –Holistics/Contextual Nature of social beings Nature of social beings –Voluntaristic –Proactive

Positivistic Vs. Interpretive AxiologicalAxiological –Explanation via subsumption under general laws Axiological Axiological –“Understanding” based on Verstehen

Positivistic Vs. Interpretive Epistemological Epistemological Knowledge GenerationKnowledge Generation –Nomothetic –Time-free –Context-independent View of Causality View of Causality –Real causes exist Research relationshipResearch relationship –Dualism, separation –Privileged point of observation Epistemological Epistemological Knowledge Generation Knowledge Generation –Idiographic –Time-bound –Context-dependent View of Causality View of Causality –Multiple, simultaneous shaping Research relationship Research relationship –Interactive, cooperative –No privileged point of observation

Qualitative Inquiry Qualitative questions: why or how Qualitative questions: why or how Fit of Question and Method Fit of Question and Method Sampling and Saturation: Sampling and Saturation: –Purposeful, convenience, nominated, theoretical –Data saturation

Methods Ethnography Ethnography –Focused ethnography (decision making) –Critical ethnography (aids emancipation) Phenomenology Phenomenology –Experience snapshots –Describing the essence of human experience Grounded theory Grounded theory –Highly inductive –Iterative process – evolving theory

Methods Narrative Narrative –Story that reveals person’s experiences – Represents larger social experience Case Study Case Study –Intrinsic (understanding 1 case) –Instrumental (refining theory) –Collective (several instrumental cases, looking for broader context)

Methods Participatory Action Research Participatory Action Research –Reflects needs of the people –Group ownership of process (involvement of participants from design to results) –Conducted to solve social or community problems

Data Collection Interviews (depth) Interviews (depth) Observation Observation Field Notes Field Notes Documents Documents Video, photographs Video, photographs

Triangulation Uses a combination of more than one research strategy in a single investigation. Data: time, space, person Data: time, space, person Investigator: complimenting areas of expertise Investigator: complimenting areas of expertise Theory: testing and comparison of theories Theory: testing and comparison of theories Methods: simultaneous & sequential implementation (separate analysis) Methods: simultaneous & sequential implementation (separate analysis)

Depth Interviews Funnel MethodFunnel Method – let respondent do all the talking – can be a diagnostic interview – the idea is let the subject direct the interview

Inverted Funnel: Specific to general Inverted Funnel: Specific to general –You want to jog the interviewees memory –You want to motivate a reluctant participant –You want to get specific facts before general impressions

Interview Technique silent probe silent probe encouragement probe encouragement probe immediate elaboration immediate elaboration immediate clarification immediate clarification retrospective elaboration retrospective elaboration recapitulation probe recapitulation probe retrospective clarification retrospective clarification

Interview Technique echo probe echo probe reflective probe reflective probe interpretive probe interpretive probe summary probe summary probe mutation mutation

Interview Technique formulate question before speaking formulate question before speaking keep questions simplekeep questions simple –no preface –do not give respondent your lit review note taking controls flow note taking controls flow

Interview Issues avoid leading questions avoid leading questions avoid ritual agreement avoid ritual agreement monitor the universe of discourse monitor the universe of discourse

Universe of Discourse

Interview Issues avoid leading questions avoid leading questions avoid ritual agreement avoid ritual agreement monitor the universe of discourse monitor the universe of discourse observe body language observe body language convey expectation of cooperation convey expectation of cooperation avoid unprofessional statements avoid unprofessional statements

To Tape or Not to Tape AdvantagesAdvantages –more accurate and less distracting –better than relying on your memory –excellent training tool for interviewer DisadvantageDisadvantage –one thing to tell you, another to go on permanent record –worry about sound of their voice –worry who will hear tape

IF Using a Tape Recorder tell respondent who will have access to tape tell respondent who will have access to tape erase tape as soon as transcribed erase tape as soon as transcribed place recorder in obvious placeplace recorder in obvious place –you can turn off/on; confirm working... –no question of subterfuge

IF Using a Tape Recorder check recorder before you show upcheck recorder before you show up –tape blank? –bring extra tape –check batteries –confirm that it is working! –move tape past leader –check volume control –practice with tape recorder

Who does this person have access to information that you want? does this person have access to information that you want? approaching interviewees & their organizations approaching interviewees & their organizations

When schedule when no competing demands schedule when no competing demands approach with attitude that their time is more important than yours approach with attitude that their time is more important than yours do not schedule too closely together do not schedule too closely together –45 minutes typical; 90 minutes longest sequencing sequencing

Where respondent’s place of business respondent’s place of business respondent’s home respondent’s home neutral spot neutral spot

What interview blueprintinterview blueprint –list research objective or research question, actual question and sample prompts (listing any specifics you would like to elicit) in table/chart form

The interview blueprint should guide you, not confine you

Sample Interview Blueprint

What interview guideinterview guide –questions simply worded –listed in order –key points of introduction & conclusion –leave space for notes

Sample Interview Guide

The interview blueprint and interview guides should serve as a road map. They can be used when you feel you are getting lost and to keep you focused on your destination….

But, remember, that sometimes the scenic route provides surprising discoveries. But, remember, that sometimes the scenic route provides surprising discoveries.

Interview Procedure phone ahead to confirm appointment phone ahead to confirm appointment when you arrivewhen you arrive –reintroduce yourself and your study –explain how they were picked for study –confirm use of tape recorder –explain confidentiality and explain that they can end interview at any point –start tape (if using)

Interview Procedure when tape is rollingwhen tape is rolling –say, “I’ve prepared some questions, but if they don’t seem to be hitting at the core of the issue, feel free to correct me” –start questions if ask tape be turned off for one question, remember to start again afterif ask tape be turned off for one question, remember to start again after –after last question, always ask “Is there anything else you’d like to add? Anything you think I’m missing?”

Interview Procedure after interview is overafter interview is over –don’t bolt…. –thank them for their participation –say into tape recorder “the foregoing was an interview with Jane Doe (D-o-e) for project 43, date, time, location, by your name –turn off tape, but hang around making small talk — will often get best stuff yet, now that formal interview is over once out of sight, debriefonce out of sight, debrief

Interview Procedure DebriefDebrief –check that tape has recorded properly tape is blanktape is blank background noise obscures portions of tapebackground noise obscures portions of tape reconstruct missing data — but distinguish in transcript between verbatim and reconstructed paraphrasingreconstruct missing data — but distinguish in transcript between verbatim and reconstructed paraphrasing –record details (such as body language) not recorded on tape while still fresh in your memory –note your own preliminary interpretations and ideas