1. Chapter 6
Both qualitative and quantitative processes are necessary to fully answer a conceptual question

2. Empirical Qualitative Research
Approaches to Empirical Qualitative Research
Natural observation
Participant observation
In person interviews (in-depth and focused)
Group interviews

3. Empirical Qualitative Research
Concepts in Empirical Qualitative Research
The approach
The data
The design
Data evaluation
Conclusions

4. The Approach
Qualitative research techniques often entail a researcher’s immersion in the group or activity under study
Going native: the researcher achieves a high level of intimate familiarity with the field through immersion, to obtain the insider’s view

5. The Data Logs of journal descriptions Photographs Interviews
Recorded observations
Thick description: rich, detailed, and multidimensional understanding of a research site that captures the local meaning

6. The Design
Qualitative approaches are emergent designs; quantitative approaches are static designs
Qualitative methods, unlike quantitative methodologies, are easily adaptive to change
Qualitative researchers evaluate the extent to which their procedures accommodate emergent situations (dependability)

7. The Design
Emergent design: the dynamic nature of qualitative research; emerging issues of a research site demand that appropriate strategies are applied accordingly
Static design: quantitative research procedures are designed in advance and followed consistently

8. Data Evaluation
Data are evaluated in terms of plausibility and credibility
Plausibility and credibility address the same issues as validity and reliability

9. Conclusions Are the findings transferable?
Transferable: the extent that the findings, descriptions, and conclusions can be applied in other similar contexts based on the detailed contextual description. How generalizable are the observations?

10. Approaches to Qualitative Research
Natural observation
Participant observation
In person interviews (in-depth and focused)
Group interviews

11. Natural Observation
Understanding a social phenomenon through the actors’ eyes
The social process is viewed from the outside

12. Participant Observation
Researchers take part in the activity they are observing
Researchers do not intentionally try to manipulate or change the process, but learn about it from the inside
The social process is viewed from the inside

13. In Person Interviews
Actors are asked how they view the activity or process (their perceptions)
Individual’s perspective

14. Group Interviews
Individual perspectives are seen relative to the group
Focus groups
The discussion leader must be sufficiently trained