Qualitative Research and Trustworthiness

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Questions and Answers

What is a characteristic of qualitative research?

It primarily involves numeric data analysis.

It is limited to lab-based research methods.

It utilizes formal statistical methods for conclusions.

It focuses on collecting non-numeric data. (correct)

Which component of trustworthiness in qualitative research refers to the accurate representation of subjects and context?

Transferability

Dependability

Credibility (correct)

Confirmability

What is a primary method of data collection in qualitative research?

Surveys with fixed responses

Statistical data analysis

Experimental trials

Interviews and focus groups (correct)

What ensures the adaptability of a research study to changes that may occur during the research process?

Dependability Signup and view all the answers

In experimental research, what is required for establishing a cause-and-effect relationship?

Cause must precede effect. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes observational research from experimental research?

Experimental research involves deliberate manipulation of variables. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of validity ensures that the observed changes are due to the treatment applied?

Internal validity Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a threat to external validity?

Interaction of testing with treatment Signup and view all the answers

Which study design is best suited for long-term follow-up of a large group?

Cohort study Signup and view all the answers

Which design type refers to studies that only involve one participant tracked over time?

Quasi-experimental design Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a systematic review in research?

To summarize research on a specific topic. Signup and view all the answers

In which type of regression is the outcome variable binary?

Logistic regression Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the meta-analysis process?

Register the study team Signup and view all the answers

What defines the term 'determinants' in epidemiological concepts?

Characteristics affecting health outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential characteristic of meta-analysis?

It uses a standard metric to evaluate multiple studies. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about correlation is true?

Correlation examines relationships between two or more variables. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Qualitative Research

Involves analyzing non-numeric data such as language
Used across disciplines like anthropology, psychology, sociology, and kinesiology
Also known as ethnographic, grounded theory, phenomenological research
Involves defining the problem, formulating questions and frameworks, collecting data, and analyzing results
Data collection methods include interviews, focus groups, and observations
Ensuring trustworthiness in research using credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability

Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research

Credibility - accurately representing the subjects and context
Transferability - the ability of the findings to be applied to similar contexts
Dependability - consistency of the results over time and through different researchers
Confirmability - the validity of findings when verified by others
Can be supported through data quality, bias management, triangulation, and member checking

Data Analysis in Qualitative Research

Step 1: Transcribe interviews
Step 2: Sort and categorize data
Step 3: Merge insights
Techniques include: analytic narrative, narrative vignette, use of direct quotes

Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research

Examines cause and effect relationships
Requires a strong theoretical framework, experimental design, proper variables, and statistical analysis
Criteria for causality includes:
- Cause precedes the effect
- Cause and effect correlate
- No other variable can explain this correlation

Types and Threats to Validity

Internal Validity: Assesses whether the treatment actually caused the observed change
External Validity: Assesses whether the findings can be generalized to other contexts
Threats to internal validity include:
- History
- Maturation
- Testing effects
- Selection biases
Threats to external validity include:
- Interaction of testing with treatment,
- Biases in participant selection

Experimental Design Types

Pre-experimental: Simple designs with limited control, such as one-shot studies or one-group pretest-posttest designs
Experimental: Involves random assignment of participants to groups and manipulation of the independent variable
Quasi-experimental: Does not involve random assignment, but tracks a single participant over time

Epidemiology

Examines the distribution and determinants of health outcomes in populations
Observational research: Examines naturally occurring differences without intervention
Experimental research: Tests the effects of treatments, often ethically limited

Key Epidemiological Concepts

Distribution: Frequency (prevalence and incidence) and patterns (person, place, time)
Determinants: Factors that influence or contribute to the health outcome

Epidemiological Study Designs

Cross-sectional: Compares different groups of participants at the same time
Cohort: Tracks a group over time to observe changes in health outcomes
Case-controlled: Matches participants with and without a condition to explore potential risk factors

Correlation & Regression

Correlation: Examines relationships between two or more variables
Types of correlation: Positive or negative
Regression: Predicts outcomes from one or more variables
Simple regression: Predicts outcomes from a single predictor variable
Multiple regression: Uses several predictor variables to predict a complex outcome
Logistic regression: Used to predict binary outcomes (e.g., yes/no)

Research Synthesis, Systematic Reviews, and Meta-Analysis

Purpose of Research Synthesis: Clearly defined purpose to identify and analyze existing research
Literature Review: Exploratory, often used to find a research purpose
Meta-Analysis: Analyzing data from multiple studies to answer research questions
Steps involved in meta-analysis:
- Define research objectives
- Conduct a literature search using specified databases and criteria
- Select studies based on pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria
- Evaluate and code data to extract important details
- Calculate effect sizes for each study
- Conduct statistical analysis to summarize the effects across studies
- Report findings
Systematic Review: Summarizes research on a specific topic, often without the quantitative focus of meta-analysis
Steps involved in a systematic review:
- Forming a research team
- Registering the review protocol (e.g., PROSPERO)
- Screening studies for eligibility
- Including relevant studies in the review
- Flowchart is used to visually track the steps of the review.
Considerations in Meta-Analysis:
- Effect Size Coding - selecting the appropriate statistics and accounting for group differences

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Description

This quiz explores qualitative research methodologies and the principles of trustworthiness within qualitative studies. It covers data collection methods, analysis frameworks, and essential components such as credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. Test your understanding of these crucial concepts in the realm of qualitative research.