Overview of Research Designs Qualitative

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

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)

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

Types of Qualitative Research Phenomenological Studies Ethnographic Studies Grounded Theory Studies Historical Studies Case Studies

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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