An Overview of Qualitative Research Methods Presented by Johnnie Daniel, Ph.D., J.D. Department of Sociology and Anthropology jdaniel202@msn.com for the RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT RESEARCH WORKSHOP GRADUATE SCHOOL, HOWARD UNIVERSITY FEBRUARY 13, 2013 2 Introduction Purpose of presentation Provide an introduction to qualitative research methods Provide descriptions of the differences between qualitative research and quantitative research Provide a basis for further study and investigation of qualitative research Encourage the use of qualitative research methods 3 3 Learning objectives At the end of this presentation you should be able to: Distinguish between qualitative research and quantitative research in carrying out the following activities: Problem formation Research design development Selection of data sources Data collection Data analysis Conclusion and report writing Identify and distinguish the major types of qualitative research designs 4 4 5 What are the differences between qualitative research and quantitative research? Qualitative research is research primarily involving the collection and analysis of non-numerical data On the other hand, quantitative research is research primarily involving the collection and analysis of numerical data 6 6 Both follow the same major steps in carrying out a research study However, due to the nature of the data collected, important differences in how these steps are executed 7 7 Major Steps in Conducting Research Problem formulation Research design development Data analysis Selection of data sources Data collection Conclusion / Report Writing 8 Problem formation: Qualitative Research Theory development Exploratory purpose Description of participants Comparison of participants Create in-depth descriptions and understandings of characteristics Quantitative Research Hypothesis and theory testing Description of population Comparison of categories within the population Create in-depth descriptions and understanding of relationship among variables 9 Problem formation: Qualitative Research Elucidate findings of quantitative research Verify the presence of phenomena Purpose to research is to understand a problem Quantitative Research Verify findings of qualitative research Identify the causes of phenomena Purpose of research is to explain and predict the existence of a problem 10 Problem formation: Qualitative Research Understand from the point of view of the participants Interpret experiences and meaning s Discover theme and relationships Provide words for closed questions Quantitative Research Understand relationships among variables 11 Problem formation: Qualitative Research Discovery and identification of new thought and understandings Purpose to discover ideas Exploratory research Quantitative Research Verification of theory, predictions Purpose to test hypotheses Conclusive research 12 Problem formation: Qualitative Research Program aims at individual outcomes Theory developed during study Data precede theory Complex patterns of interactions among variables not investigated Quantitative Research Program aims at common outcomes Theory developed a priori Theory precedes data Complex patterns of interactions among variables may be investigated 13 Research design development: Qualitative Research Participant observation Focus group research Case studies In-depth interviews Typically no comparison groups Research design modified as it is implemented Quantitative Research Survey Numerical databases Comparison groups Research design predetermined 14 Selection of data sources (study participants) Qualitative Research Nonprobability sampling Availability sampling Purposive sampling Small n Data saturation, sequential sampling Quantitative Research Probability sampling Simple random sampling Stratified sampling Large n Sample size predetermined 15 Major Types of Purposive Sampling Selection criteria: Elements’ fit or lack of fit with central tendency Selection criteria: Variability of elements Selection criteria: Theory, model development, and hypothesis testing Confirmatory sampling Disconfirming sampling Homogeneous Bellwether case sampling Typical case sampling Reputational sampling Modal instance sampling Deviant case sampling Rare element sampling Extreme case sampling Intensity case sampling Dichotomous case sampling Outlier sampling sampling Selection criteria: Judgment, reputation, or specialized knowledge Judgment sampling Subjective sampling Negative case sampling Theoretical sampling Critical case sampling Systematic matching sampling Case control sampling Consecutive sampling Politically important cases Expert sampling Informant sampling Maximum variation sampling Heterogeneity sampling Diversity sampling 16 Data collection: Qualitative Research Observation Asking primarily openended questions Scalar items seldom used Unobtrusive data collection Data: words, pictures, behavior Greater ethical issues Quantitative Research Asking primarily closedended questions Scalar items primarily used Statistical databases Data: numbers Fewer ethical issues 17 Data collection: Qualitative Research Researcher interacts at personal level with respondents Personal values made explicit Flexible Unstructured Quantitative Research Researcher seeks to keep personal values, beliefs, and biases separate Personal values avoided Not flexible Structured 18 Data collection: Qualitative Research Researcher must be able to fit-in with events/people studied Data collection environment not controlled Same questions not necessarily asked to all participants Data collector may improvise Quantitative Research Researcher can be distant from events/people studied Data collection environment controlled Same questions asked to all participants Data collector should not improvise 19 Data collection: Qualitative Research Subjectivity focus Adaptive data collections Exact replication not possible Theory is “data driven” Probing Information per respondent is substantial Quantitative Research Objectivity focus Predetermined data collection Exact replication possible Data are “theory driven” Limited probing Information per respondent varies 20 Data collection: Qualitative Research Hardware: tape recorders, video, cameras Training of researcher: psychology, sociology, consumer behavior Conversation, unstructured Quantitative Research Hardware: computers, telephone Training of researcher: psychology, sociology, consumer behavior, statistics Structured observation, interviews, questionnaires 21 Data collection: Qualitative Research Contextual variables critical to study Collect verbatim responses More limited to collection of data on current patterns More flexible Quantitative Research Contextual variables not necessarily critical to study Collect responses to structured items Less limited to collection of data on current patterns Less flexible 22 Data analysis: Qualitative Research Limited statistical analysis Inferential statistics are generally irrelevant Lack of ability to control for extraneous variables Results cannot be generalized Quantitative Research Basic to advanced multivariate statistical analyses Inferential statistics are generally essential Results are generalizable based on inferential statistical analyses 23 Data analysis: Qualitative Research Lack of ability to control for extraneous variables Data processing and analysis time consuming Varied analyses Focus on themes and meanings Quantitative Research Potential to control for extraneous variables Data processing and analysis not as time consuming Standardized analyses Focus on trends, comparisons, predictions, explanations 24 Data analysis: Qualitative Research Inductive analyses “Thick descriptions” Validity based on honesty, richness, authenticity, depth, scope, subjectivity, strength of feeling, catching uniqueness, idiographic statements Quantitative Research Deductive analyses Control of extraneous variables Validity based on objectivity, generalizability, replicability, predictability, controllability, and nomothetic statements 25 Data analysis: Qualitative Research No testing of null hypotheses No confidence intervals Meaning rather than numeric descriptions sought Quantitative Research Null hypothesis testing Confidence intervals Numeric descriptions sought 26 Conclusions / report writing: Qualitative Research Focus on: Credibility Dependability Transferability Confirmability Quantitative Research Focus on: Internal validity Reliability, stability External validity Objectivity 27 Conclusions / report writing: Qualitative Research Conclusions based on understandings, insight Conclusions are subjective, speculative Quantitative Research Conclusions based on statistical analyses Conclusions stated in context of statistical degree of accuracy 28 Conclusions / report writing: Qualitative Research Replications lead to tentative generalizations Predicated on the assumption that each individual, culture, setting is unique Quantitative Research Generalizations based on probabilities Assume “law” or “trends” may be identified 29 Conclusions / report writing: Qualitative Research Reports are longer, written in narrative form and published in the form of books or monographs Narrative descriptions Quantitative Research Reports are commonly reported in journals and only 5-15 pages in length Statistical descriptions 30 31 What are the major types of qualitative research designs? Qualitative Research Designs In-depth Interviews Focus Groups Observation Qualitative Data Ethnography Projective Techniques Case Studies Action Research Grounded Theory 32 EXHIBIT 5.2 Common Qualitative Research Tools 33 EXHIBIT 5.2 Common Qualitative Research Tools (cont’d) 34 Choosing a Qualitative Method Purpose of study Researcher characteristics Factors Participant characteristics Ethical concerns Resources Nature of topic 35 Challenge: Mixed-Methods Research Designs Qualitative Research Design MixedMethods Research Design Quantitative Research Design 36