Qualatative

Question 2

Characteristics of qualatative research

Answer 2

Key Characteristics of Qualitative Research
Based on the text, qualitative research isn’t just about collecting stories; it follows a specific set of rigorous principles:

Natural Settings: Research is conducted where the participants live or experience the topic, rather than in a controlled lab.

The Power of Rapport: The quality of the data depends heavily on the researcher’s ability to build trust and rapport with participants.

Data Types: The information collected is typically textual (words) and experiential.

Methodological Flexibility: It involves multiple sources of data and “emergent methods,” meaning the process can adapt as new insights are discovered.

The Concept of Reflexivity
The text highlights a critical term that is unique to qualitative work: Reflexivity.

In quantitative research, the goal is often “objectivity.” However, in qualitative research, the researcher acknowledges they are an active part of the process. Reflexivity is the researcher’s formal acknowledgment of their own personal biases and experiences that might influence how they interpret the study’s findings.

Question 3

Gap of knowledge

Answer 3

Finding the “Gap” in Knowledge
A research problem is essentially a “hole” or a gap in what we know.

The Gap: There were very few studies about the specific experiences of young women (ages 25–39) with advanced breast cancer.

The Missing Piece: Even when a topic has been studied a lot, we often miss the perspectives of the people actually living it.

Question 4

Methodology

Answer 4

Methodology: The General vs. The Specific
As your notes show, Methodology can mean two things:

The General Type: Simply deciding the study will be Qualitative.

The Specific Type: Deciding on a branch like Phenomenology (lived experience) or Ethnography (culture/ethnic groups).

2. Matching the Method to the Problem
   The researcher selects the methodology that best allows the “research gap” to be addressed.

If the gap is Culture: Use Ethnography (studying the shared patterns of a group).

If the gap is Lived Experience: Use Phenomenology (like the Lundquist study on the “feeling” of having cancer).

If the gap is a Social Process: Use Grounded Theory (to see how people interact over time).

Question 5

Why looking at literature is delayed

Answer 5

The “Cautious” Literature Review
This is a unique part of the qualitative process. Researchers often review the literature cautiously.

The Reason: They want to remain “open to the insider’s perspective” without being biased by what other people have already written.

The Timing: They might identify the problem early, but they often delay the deep dive into other people’s research until after they have collected their own data.

Question 6

Samples of qualitative

Answer 6

Qualitative Sampling: Why No Random Selection?

In qualitative research, the goal is to understand a problem from the specific perspective of the participants. Therefore, researchers do not choose people randomly for the following reasons:

Deliberate Recruitment: Researchers purposefully select participants who have direct experience with the research topic or culture.

Rich Data: Each participant is chosen because they can provide “rich data” that allows the researcher to identify unique meanings and perspectives.

Saturation vs. Math: Unlike quantitative studies that use a “power analysis” to find a number, qualitative studies stop when they reach saturation—the point where additional participants no longer provide new information.

Sample Size Overview by Method

The number of people needed depends on the “blueprint” of the research method you choose:

Phenomenological Studies (10 or fewer participants): These are used when the topic is narrow and the goal is to understand the “essence” of a specific feeling or moment.

Grounded Theory Studies (More than 30 participants): These require more people to ensure there is enough “adequate detail” to develop and prove an emerging theory.

Marcil et al. (2020) Example (26 participants): This grounded theory study used 26 interviews to achieve “thematic saturation” and develop a theory on financial strain.