1. Introduction to Qualitative Research

2. 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 or fundamental goal) Axiology: Study of nature of values and judgements (overriding or fundamental 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

3. 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

4. Positivistic Vs. Interpretive Axiological (fundamental goals)Axiological (fundamental goals) –Truth –Explanation – behaviours follow universal laws –Predictive Axiological Axiological –“Understanding” based on Verstehen –Identifying meanings

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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)

9. 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

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

11. 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)

12. Universe of Discourse

13. Quantitative vs. Qualitative Sample size Sample size –Small Types of Questions Types of Questions –Probing Sample size Sample size –Large Types of Questions Types of Questions –Limited probing Administration Administration –Few special interview skills Administration Administration –Interview skills required