Lecture 12

Question 1

What to include in qualitative purpose statement:

Answer 1

• include action verbs: develop, explore, describe
• strategy of inquiry (sometimes philosophical worldview)
• phenomenon
• participants
• research site

Question 2

What to remember in qualitative purpose statement:

Answer 2

neutral wording

Question 3

Qualitative research questions can assume 2 forms:

Answer 3

• central question

- associated subquestions

Question 4

Central question:

Answer 4

• focus on single phenomenon or concept
• uses exploratory verbs
• nondirectional (eg. do not use words such as influence, cause, relate)
• open-ended

Question 5

Research sample can include…

Answer 5

• individuals
• organizations
• teams
• schools

Question 6

The intent of purposeful sampling is to…

Answer 6

recruit a sample of information-rich participants that will purposefully inform an understanding of the topic being studied

Question 7

Purposeful sampling is sometimes referred to as ….

Answer 7

purposive sampling

Question 8

3 types of purposeful sampling:

Answer 8

• extreme case
• maximum variation
• snowball

Question 9

Describe extreme case purposeful sampling:

Answer 9

• identifying participants who are unusual or represent extremes
• also called deviant cases

Question 10

Give an example of extreme case purposeful sampling:

Answer 10

selecting kin professors who are rated as the best and worst instructors

Question 11

Describe maximum variation purposeful sampling:

Answer 11

• heterogeneity is sought in people, experiences, places, perspectives etc.
• participants who represent diversity

Question 12

Give an example of maximum variation purposeful sampling:

Answer 12

sampling rehabilitation centre programs in urban and rural areas in different parts of Canada (diversity in location)

Question 13

Describe snowball purposive sampling:

Answer 13

participants identify other potential participants that are deemed fitting to the research purpose

Question 14

Remember that the intent of qualitative research is not to ______ findings …. but instead to…

Answer 14

• generalize findings to a broad range of people

- provide in-depth detail and understanding about the topic being studied

Question 15

Breadth vs. depth:

Answer 15

• breadth: full span of knowledge

- depth: extent to which specific topics are explored

Question 16

_____ is often used to justify sample size.

Answer 16

saturation

Question 17

Saturation:

Answer 17

researchers recruit participants until no (or very little) new information is being uncovered through data generation

Question 18

5 considerations for saturation and determining sample size:

Answer 18

• scope of the study
• nature of the topic
• quality of data
• number of interviews per participant
• study design

Question 19

General guidelines: sample size for narrative:

Answer 19

1-2 participants

Question 20

General guidelines: sample size for phenomenology:

Answer 20

5-8 participants

Question 21

General guidelines: sample size for grounded theory:

Answer 21

30-50 participants

Question 22

General guidelines: sample size for ethnography:

Answer 22

typically a single group

Question 23

General guidelines: sample size for case study:

Answer 23

• as single case
  OR
• 4-5 cases (collective case study)

Question 24

Qualitative description:

Answer 24

• takes on the tones of other study designs

- depends on which type of study design it is mirroring in that instance

Question 25

Recruiting participants in qualitative research is often done through _____ because qualitative research is ______.

Answer 25

- relationships | - relational

Question 26

Known sponsor approach:

Answer 26

- person who has a legitimate relationship with the group of interest - gives you credibility right from the start

Question 27

How does the known sponsor approach differ from snowball?

Answer 27

snowball = someone who has participated in the research tells someone else

Question 28

_____ is paramount to achieving understanding.

Answer 28

rapport

Question 29

Gaining _____ is essential to an interviewer's success.

Answer 29

trust

Question 30

Once trust is gained, it can be very _____.

Answer 30

fragile

Question 31

In qualitative research, the researcher is a ____ ______.

Answer 31

key instrument

Question 32

There is often a _____ and/or _____ experience between participants and researcher.

Answer 32

- sustained | - intensive

Question 33

Qualitative research involves _______ of....

Answer 33

- interpretation - one's own experiences, values, beliefs influence what is seen, what is deemed important, and what conclusions are drawn

Question 34

Since the researcher is the ______ in qualitative research, ______ is essential.

Answer 34

- instrument | - reflexivity

Question 35

Reflexivity:

Answer 35

- what you see and what you don't | - how your assumptions impact study

Question 36

How can we keep track of reflexivity?

Answer 36

keep a research journal

Question 37

How can qualitative research be emotional?

Answer 37

- topic explored - relational nature - lack of definitive structure (emerging nature) - time intensive - insecurity with interpretations and representations