Basics of Qualitative Research Design Berg Ch. 2 Leedy and Ormrod Ch. 3 - 5 Three General Approaches to Research APPROACH POSITIVISM CRITICAL INTERPRETIVE USUAL TYPE OF RESEARCH experiment, survey, cont. anal. historicalcomparative field research, interviews PERSPECTIVE technocratic transcendent transcendent TYPE OF LOGIC reconstructed logic-in-practice logic-in-practice PATH linear non-linear /cyclical non-linear /cyclical Qualitative methodology Data in words rather than numbers Non-positivistic orientation Includes: Field research and ethnography Observation, case studies Qualitative interviewing Action research Historical comparative analysis Characteristics of Qualitative Research Context is critical In depth, detailed Researcher immerses self in data (nonobjective) Researcher integrity Bias recognized Use of grounded theory Can detect process and sequence Data are interpreted rather than analyzed Ideas and Theory The Deductive (Quantitative) Process Ideas and theory come before empirical research Ideas lead to refutation through research Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 The Inductive (Qualitative) Process o Research leads to theory development o Research initiates, reformulates, deflects and clarifies theory What is Theory? “a statement of relationships between concepts” “a roadmap for organizing ideas and knowledge about the social world” Theory Parts Concepts Concept clusters Classification concepts (ideal types) Assumptions Typology or Taxonomy Relationships The Measurement Process Quantitative = deductive Qualitative = inductive Both involve conceptualization and operationalization Concepts Symbolic elements Foundation of communication and thought Two distinct parts Symbolic elements (word, symbol, term) Definitional element Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Operationalization of a Concept Conceptualize Providing a working definition of a concept Use theory and research Operationalize providing the criteria for measuring a concept What, specifically, will you be observing? Often continues throughout the research process Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Process of Qualitative Operationalization: Empirical Observations Working Ideas Concepts Generalizations/Theories Berg’s Blended Model The Spiraling Research Approach Begin with a rough idea Gather theoretical information Reconsider and redefine Process: Idea -- Lit. Review (involves Theory) -- Design -- Data Collection/Organization -- Analysis/Findings --Dissemination Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Choosing a Research Problem Where do problems come from? Practical problems in the field The literature in the field Personal interest Examples of Problems: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of body image and PPF (perceived physical fitness) for different exercise settings The purpose of this study is to examine the type of talk during a writing activity to determine if there is a difference between off topic and on topic talk on the quality of students’ writing samples Reviewing the Literature Recommended Sources: Journal articles Books Conference proceedings Government / corporate reports Library Databases Other Sources (not recommended) Newspapers and Magazines Internet esp. sites like Wikipedia The Annotated Bibliography A very useful first step… Consists of a bibliographic citation and a descriptive and evaluative annotation of a selection of your most useful sources Reviewing the Literature Formulate a rough question Visit the Library Conduct both online and in-print searches Make a list of search terms Evaluate the results Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Evaluating Web Sites Information to check URL Domain Date of last update Corroborating information on every website Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Writing The Literature Review Concentrates on the scientific research Provides the context for your research Justifies the proposed study Summarizes and evaluates the literature in the field Questions to be answered in a literature review: 1. What do we already know in the immediate area concerned? 2. What are the characteristics of the key concepts (or the main factors or variables)? 3. What are the relationships between these key concepts, factors or variables? 4. What are the existing generalizations or theories? 5. Where are the inconsistencies/shortcomings in our knowledge and understanding? 6. What views need to be (further) explored? 7. What information or evidence is lacking, inconclusive, contradictory or too limited? 8. Why study (further) the research problem? 9. What contribution can the present study be expected to make? 10. What research designs or methods seem unsatisfactory? Tips: Remember the purpose Read with a purpose Write with a purpose Always put citations into your writing immediately Keep a bibliographic file Berg’s Two-Card Method Author Full Card citation Library call number o Topic Card oAuthor’s name oDate of publication oBrief topical label oVerbatim excerpt Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Janesick (1994) in Berg…. “design is the choreography that establishes the research dance” What are the implications of this statement? The Research Design The plan for conducting a study Foresee possible glitches Consider appropriate pacing Appraise ethical proprieties Feasibility is contingent on many factors: Length of time to do the study Ethical constraints Cooperation of others Cost of conducting the research Researcher’s own skills Setting Identification of a data-collection site Practical entry or access - gatekeepers availability Reasonable in size and complexity Appropriateness Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Sampling Strategies Probability Sampling Mathematically representative of the larger population Relies on random sampling Non-Probability Sampling Doesn’t require a list of the population elements Can be used with difficult or sensitive populations Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Probability Sampling Simple Random Sampling Every unit has the same chance of inclusion Systematic Random Sampling Every nth unit is selected from the list Stratified Random Sampling Independent samples from subgroups of the sample Cluster Sampling Clusters are randomly and elements within are randomly selected Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Non-probability Sampling Convenience Samples Relies on available subjects Purposive Samples Researcher knowledge or expertise Snowball Samples Respondent-driven Quota Samples Proportional matrix Data Analysis Data Reduction Reduce Data and transform the data Display Organize and assemble the data Conclusions and Verification Confirm initial conclusions through double checking and independent examination Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010 Dissemination Writing the final report on your research for publication or presentation to a funding agency Integral part of the research process