Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods

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Questions and Answers

What is necessary when a research question requires determination of causation?

A descriptive study design
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) (correct)
A prospective cohort study
An ecological study

Which of the following best describes a cross-sectional study?

It provides a snapshot of a population at a single point in time. (correct)
It follows participants over time to measure outcomes.
It compares groups over an extended period.
It investigates the cause of rare diseases specifically.

Which type of study design assumes a hypothesis and requires comparisons between groups?

Ecological study design
Retrospective study design
Analytical study design (correct)
Descriptive study design

What is a key feature of a cohort study?

Participants are followed over time based on exposure. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes observational studies from experimental studies?

Experimental studies involve random assignment and control groups. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately represents a retrospective study design?

It looks back at data already collected to analyze outcomes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of using a prevalence study?

It cannot establish causal relationships. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about ecological/correlational studies?

They aggregate data, which may obscure individual variations. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which study type is particularly appropriate for investigating diseases with long induction and latent periods?

Case-control Study (D) Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concern might arise from an experimental study?

Inability to obtain informed consent (A) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a phenomenological study?

Interpretation of subjective lived experiences (B) Signup and view all the answers

In which situation is a quasi-experimental study most suitable?

When ethical constraints prevent random assignment (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of research focuses on understanding a phenomenon through the eyes of participants?

Ethnography (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a correlation study typically examine?

Types of people experiencing specific phenomena (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ethnographic research?

Statistical analysis of data (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common topic for ethnographic research in public health?

Worker safety (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of grounded theory in qualitative research?

To develop new theories based on data (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves the constant comparative analysis of qualitative data?

Grounded theory approach (A) Signup and view all the answers

In qualitative research, how is a case study defined?

A detailed examination of a single or few units (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common limitation noted in case study research across different disciplines?

Lack of consensus on how to frame case studies (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is most likely to influence how case studies are framed in public health studies?

Social perspectives or community impacts (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of Grounded Theory in qualitative research?

To develop new theory based on data analysis (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is characteristic of case studies?

In-depth analysis of a small number of units (C) Signup and view all the answers

In qualitative research, which method is commonly used for data collection?

Open-ended interviews (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the flexibility of study design in qualitative research?

It is marked by an evolving and iterative process (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of sampling is usually utilized in qualitative research?

Non-probability sampling designs (A) Signup and view all the answers

What best represents the data analysis process in qualitative research?

Categories are derived from the data itself through inductive reasoning (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary emphasis of quantitative research?

Quantifying variations and predicting relationships (A) Signup and view all the answers

In which scenario is mixed-methods research most beneficial?

When combining qualitative and quantitative insights offers a fuller understanding (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of question format is typical for quantitative research?

Closed-ended questions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one key difference between qualitative and quantitative research regarding data presentation?

Quantitative data is presented in numerical tables and graphs (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following objectives best describes qualitative research?

To describe and explain complex relationships (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the analytical objectives of qualitative research?

To provide in-depth insights into individual and group experiences (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which research design would be most appropriate for studying a unique and rare institution?

Case study design (C) Signup and view all the answers

What primarily distinguishes the data format in qualitative research from that in quantitative research?

Qualitative data is non-numeric and descriptive (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Qualitative Study Designs

Grounded Theory: A method for creating new theory by observing and analyzing data about a phenomenon - theory must be grounded in observation.
Case Study: Deeply analyzes a single or few subjects - could be a person, organization, institution, or approach.

Research Process Phases

Exploration: Explores a topic or phenomenon in depth.
Description: Details characteristics of a group or population.
Explanation: Analyzes the "why" behind a phenomenon.
Evaluation: Assesses the effectiveness of a program or intervention.

Types of Research

Quantitative: Measures numerical data to quantify and predict variation.
Qualitative: Analyzes text-based data to describe and explain relationships and individual experiences.
Mixed Methods: Combines both quantitative and qualitative methods in a single study for a more comprehensive understanding.

Quantitative Methods

Descriptive: Describes characteristics of a group or phenomenon without explanation.
- Case Report/Case Series: Describes the experiences of one or several similar cases of unusual medical events.
- Ecological/Correlational Study: Analyzes aggregated data.
- Prevalence Study: Provides a snapshot of a population at a particular point in time.
Analytical: Examines relationships and explores causes.
- Cross-Sectional Study: Collects data at one point in time - difficult to establish a temporal relationship.
- Cohort Study: Follows groups with different exposures over time to measure outcomes - not suitable for rare outcomes.
- Case-Control Study: Identifies cases with an outcome and controls without the outcome to compare past exposures - good for rare outcomes or long latency periods.
- Experimental Study: Randomly assigns participants to treatment or control groups - provides the strongest evidence for cause-effect relationships but may be unethical in some cases.

Qualitative Methods

Phenomenology: Focuses on understanding subjective lived experiences and interpretations.
Ethnography: Seeks to understand a culture or people through their own perspectives by observing them in their natural environment.
Grounded Theory: Develops theory based on collected data, using constant comparison analysis to refine themes and patterns.
Case Study: In-depth analysis of a specific case or group.

Choosing the Most Appropriate Study Design

Factors to Consider: Feasibility, sample size, budget, and time frame.
If Causation is Needed: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) is required.

Categorizing Study Designs

Objective: Descriptive (describes, focuses on "what") or Analytical (explains, focuses on "why").
Control of Exposure Variable: Observational (observes natural exposure) or Experimental (manipulates exposure).
Outcome Occurrence: Retrospective (looks back in time) or Prospective (follows forward in time).
Data Collection: Retrospective (uses existing data) or Prospective (collects new data).

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Description

This quiz covers essential qualitative and quantitative research designs and processes. Explore grounded theory, case studies, and different phases of research from exploration to evaluation. Understand how mixed methods combine both types for comprehensive study insights.