HOMEWORK TWELVE: PART H QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Topics 64 -70: Qualitative Research
Isabel Cabrera
EDCI-6300.61 Foundations of Research in Education
Dr. Alberto Jose Herrera
The University of Texas at Brownsville
April 22, 2012
HOMEWORK TWELVE: PART H QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Exercise on Topic 64: Sampling in Qualitative Research
1. Is purposive sampling widely used by “qualitative researchers: or by
“quantitative researchers”?
Purposive sampling is widely used by qualitative researchers.
2. Qualitative researchers make subjective judgments regarding the individuals
to select on the basis of likelihood of what?
They make subjective judgments on the likelihood that the individuals will be able to
provide the needed information.
3. What is the proper name for purposive sampling when there are a number of
criteria to be applied in the selection of a sample?
The proper name for purposive sampling is known as purposive criterion sampling.
4. Do all qualitative researchers seek diversity in their samples?
Sometimes, qualitative researchers seek diversity in their samples.
5. In a qualitative study, is the sole purpose for collecting demographic data to
assist in the selection of participants?
No, the demographics are used to describe in detail for consumers of the research.
Exercise on Topic 65: Sampling in Qualitative Research: II
1. Are qualitative researchers always interested in problems that extend beyond
one location or institution?
No not always, but sometimes they are interested in problems that extend beyond one
location or institution.
2. The use of participants from diverse sources is a methodological strength of a
qualitative study when the researcher has what?
When the researcher has a broader interest than just a single source.
3. How might a qualitative researcher obtain names and addresses for a
national sample?
One method to obtain data from diverse sources is to rent a list of names and addresses of
potential participants.
HOMEWORK TWELVE: PART H QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
4. On the basis of the brief survey reported in this topic, what was the average
sample size for qualitative studies?
The average sample size is 13 in qualitative studies.
5. Do “qualitative researchers” or “quantitative researchers” tend to use more
expensive data collection methods?
Qualitative researchers use more expensive data collection methods.
6. At what point might a qualitative researcher conclude that the data
collection process has become “saturated”?
The data collection process has becomes saturated when participants fail to respond with
new information.
Exercise on Topic 66: Measurement in Qualitative Research I
1. Are semi-structured interviews widely used for data collection in qualitative
research?
Yes, semi-structured interviews are widely used in qualitative research.
2. An interview protocol consists of what?
It consists of written directions for conducting the interview as well as a standard set of
predetermined questions to be asked of all participants.
3. With whom should a pilot test of the interview questions be conducted?
The questions should be pilot-tested with at least a few individuals who will not be
participants in the study.
4. The initial questions should be designed to do what?
They should be designed to establish rapport.
5. In a semi-structured interview, is it ever acceptable for an interviewer to ask
questions not included in the list of predetermined questions?
Yes, it is acceptable to ask questions not included in the list of predetermined questions.
6. What is the name of the process through which an interviewer can clear the
air and clear the mind?
Self-disclosure is the process to clear the air and clear the mind.
HOMEWORK TWELVE: PART H QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Exercise on Topic 67: Measurement in Qualitative Research: II
1. Examining perceptions is known as what type of approach to acquiring
knowledge?
This type of approach is known as a phenomenological approach.
2. A focus group usually consists of about how many participants?
A focus group usually consists of 12 participants.
3. What are the two names for the individual who leads a focus group?
Facilitators or moderators lead focus groups.
4. According to this topic, what is a “clear advantage” of using focus groups?
This method reveals the evolution of perceptions in a social context.
5. What is the name of the type of observation in which the researcher observes
as an outsider?
In nonparticipant observations they observe individuals as an outsider.
6. When the emphasis in field research is on cultural issues, the research may
be referred to as what?
When the focus is on cultural issues, the research may be referred to as ethnography.
Exercise on Topic 68: Quality Control in Qualitative Research
1. Suppose a researcher interviewed participants and then observed the
behavior of the same participants. Is this an example of “data triangulation”
or of “methods triangulation”?
Methods triangulation is used when two or more methods are used to collect the data.
2. In data triangulation, how many types of participants are used?
In data triangulation, two or more types of participants are used.
HOMEWORK TWELVE: PART H QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
3. What is the name of the type of triangulation that reduces the possibility that
the results of qualitative research represent only the idiosyncratic views of an
individual researcher?
It is known as researcher triangulation, such as it represents only the idiosyncratic views
of an individual researcher.
4. Is it ever desirable for a team of researchers to consist of individuals with
diverse backgrounds?
Yes, sometimes it is helpful for a team of researchers with diverse backgrounds.
5. In peer review, what is a peer?
A peer is another experienced qualitative researcher.
6. Who are the members in member checking?
The participants are “members” of a research team.
Exercise on Topic 69: Grounded Theory for Data Analysis
1. In the term “grounded theory,” does the term “theory” refer to a theory that
existed prior to conducting the research?
Grounded theory does not refer to an existing theory of human behavior.
2. Does the grounded theory approach use the “inductive approach” or the
“deductive approach”?
The grounded theory approach uses the inductive approach.
3. The grounded theory approach starts with what type of coding?
It starts with an open coding.
4. What is the name of the second step in the grounded theory approach?
The second step is called the axial coding.
5. In which type of coding is there an emphasis on identifying relationships?
Axial coding identifies relationships.
6. What is the technical term that refers to constantly comparing each new
element of the data with all previous elements that have been coded in order
to establish and refine categories?
HOMEWORK TWELVE: PART H QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
The technical term is referred as the constant comparison.
Exercise on Topic 70: Consensual Qualitative Research: Analysis
1. Unlike the grounded theory approach in Topic 69, CQR is deductive. Is this
statement “true” or “false”?
False, CQR is inductive.
2. What is the first step in analyzing data using the CQR approach?
The first step in the CQR method is to code into domains.
3. Which step includes writing short summaries of participants’ ideas?
The second step is to develop ideas within domains.
4. What is done in the cross-analysis?
The core ideas are grouped into categories based on similarities.
5. In CQR, what term is used for domains that apply to all participants?
The term general is used for domains that apply to all participants.
6. Does the auditor review the work of the research team only at the conclusion
of the study?
No, the auditor reviews the work of the research after each major step in a study, not just
at its conclusion.