Qualitative

Question 1

What does qualitative research aim to do?

Answer 1

• Understand and interpret local meanings
• Explore differences and divergence within data
• values personal involvement and subjective interpretations.

Question 2

What is the philosophical foundation of quantitative methodology?

Answer 2

Positivist-epistemological tradition

This tradition believes that reality can be measured objectively.

Question 3

What is the philosophical foundation of qualitative methodology?

Answer 3

Hermeneutic-phenomenological tradition

This tradition aims to understand phenomena within their context.

Question 4

What is the difference between Big Q and Small q in qualitative research?

Answer 4

• Big Q: Deeply rooted in qualitative, interpretive perspectives
• Small q: Uses qualitative methods within a quantitative paradigm

Big Q focuses on understanding human experiences, while Small q aims for more objective results.

Question 5

What is the purpose of a theoretical model in research?

Answer 5

• Increases focus
• Creates structure
• Explains concepts

It helps refine research questions and clarifies theoretical assumptions.

Question 6

What is the goal of data collection in qualitative methods?

Answer 6

To make the data as rich in information as possible

This involves understanding phenomena in their context rather than generalizing statistically.

Question 7

What is a recruitment based on typical case

Answer 7

identifying the most “typical” participant in a specific context

Question 8

Recruitment based on a critical case:

Answer 8

identifying participants who share a specific characteristic

Question 9

What is the role of gatekeepers in recruitment?

Answer 9

Establishing trust through a leader or representative of a group

This can facilitate participant engagement.

Question 10

In the context of qualitative research, what does saturation refer to?

Answer 10

The point where no new themes or codes emerge

It is based on the idea of discovering and extracting meaning from data.

Question 11

What are the two types of qualitative research mentioned?

Answer 11

• Experiential qualitative research
• Critical qualitative research

Each type has a different focus on understanding perspectives and constructing realities.

Question 12

What is the role of instruments in qualitative methodology?

Answer 12

• Facilitate data collection
• Maintain flexibility

Instruments like interview guides and field notes are commonly used.

Question 13

What is the purpose of field notes or a research diary in qualitative research?

Answer 13

To continuously record important findings or thoughts

They help track discoveries throughout the research process.

Question 14

What does thematic analysis aim to identify in qualitative data?

Answer 14

Patterns in data

It focuses on recurring experiences and perceptions that transcend multiple interviews.

Question 15

What is a codebook approach in thematic qualitative research?

Answer 15

Development of a codebook based on initial data review

It is more flexible than coding reliability approaches.

Question 16

What is the significance of reflexivity in qualitative research?

Answer 16

Emphasizes the researcher’s subjectivity and active role in theme development

Reflexive analyses generate themes rather than passively extracting them from data.

Question 17

What is the first step in Reflexive thematic analysis?

Answer 17

Familiarization

This involves immersing yourself in the data by reading and re-reading it.

Question 18

What is the second step in Reflexive thematic analysis?

Answer 18

Coding: Generating succinct labels that capture important features of the data

This often requires multiple rounds of coding.

Question 19

What should a theme in qualitative research represent?

Answer 19

A coherent and meaningful pattern in the data

It should go beyond mere description and provide interpretation.

Question 20

What is the sixth step in Reflexive thematic analysis?

Answer 20

Writing up Weaving together the analytic narrative and data extracts

This contextualizes the analysis in relation to existing literature.

Question 21

What is the focus of critical qualitative research?

Answer 21

Functions of language and how phenomena are constructed.
Discourse analysis -
focus shifts to how we construct the experience of different realities through language

It is more abstract and conceptual compared to experiential qualitative research.

Question 22

What is the role of the researcher in generating themes?

Answer 22

Themes are actively generated by the researcher through their thoughtful and reflexive engagement with the data

This contrasts with themes that are seen as passively emerging.

Question 23

What characterizes a good theme

Answer 23

• Demonstrates depth and nuance
• Aligns with the overall approach
• Can be explained clearly
• Is supported by data
• Reflects researcher reflexivity

Good themes offer nuanced insights and are consistent with the reflexive nature of research.

Question 24

What is the MOST common pitfall in theme development?

Answer 24

• Being topic-based rather than meaning-based

Themes should represent coherent patterns of shared meaning.

Question 25

What must qualitative research establish to ensure **trustworthiness**?

Answer 25

* Credibility * Transferability * Dependability * Confirmability ## Footnote These criteria help assess the reliability of qualitative research results.

Question 26

What does **credibility** in qualitative research refer to?

Answer 26

The extent to which the results are plausible based on information about the original data ## Footnote Credibility is essential for establishing trust in qualitative findings.

Question 27

What is meant by **transferability** in qualitative research?

Answer 27

The extent to which the results can be transferred to a new context or different participants ## Footnote This concept emphasizes the applicability of findings beyond the original study.

Question 28

What does **dependability** refer to in qualitative research?

Answer 28

The extent to which the results hold over time and in relation to the participants ## Footnote Dependability ensures that findings are consistent and reliable.

Question 29

What does **confirmability** mean in the context of qualitative research?

Answer 29

The extent to which the results can be confirmed by other researchers and additional research ## Footnote Confirmability enhances the credibility of qualitative findings.

Question 30

What strategy involves **staying in the social environment** for a sufficient duration?

Answer 30

Longer engagement ## Footnote This strategy helps build trust with participants and gain a better understanding of the data.

Question 31

What does **reflexivity** acknowledge in qualitative methodology?

Answer 31

The researcher's influence on their study in all phases, especially data collection and analysis ## Footnote Reflexivity emphasizes the importance of the researcher's subjectivity.

Question 32

What does **methodological congruence** refer to?

Answer 32

Alignment between the research question, data collection, analysis method, and theoretical assumptions ## Footnote This ensures consistency and avoids mixing positivist and non-positivist approaches.

Question 33

What should themes in qualitative research be based on?

Answer 33

Meaning-based interpretations of the data, not just topic summaries ## Footnote Themes should capture patterns related to the research question.

Question 34

What is important in the **reporting** of qualitative research?

Answer 34

The analysis should go beyond mere description to provide deeper insights.