Qualitative Research Methods - SoHP503

Qualitative SoHP503 Project Research Studies

• The presentation is about qualitative research projects for SoHP503, delivered by Rebecca Slee and Fiona Fraser at the University of Plymouth.
• The session overview includes an introduction to qualitative methods, a self-directed activity, feedback from the self-directed activity, and the transition to Qualitative Research 2 and qualitative analysis.

Qualitative Research Session Objectives

• By the end of the session, participants will have explored key characteristics of qualitative research.
• They will also have compared qualitative and quantitative research features.
• Participants will have identified approaches used in qualitative research.
• The presentation also emphasizes trustworthiness and robustness within qualitative research.

The Research Process

• The research process is presented as a flow chart.
  • It begins with developing the research question.
  • Steps include searching and evaluating literature, choosing methodology and research design, preparing a research proposal, sampling and recruitment of participants, data collection, and data analysis.
  • Finally, there's dissemination of results.
• The steps are presented with a visual representation.
• The presenter mentions Lacey (2010) in connection with the research process.

Some Characteristics of Qualitative Research

• Qualitative research deals with multiple versions of reality, emphasizing the world's inner workings and people's understanding, beliefs, and experiences.
• It avoids preconceived notions.
• Qualitative data is in words and is not reducible to numbers.
• Qualitative research is an inductive approach, which means it generates theories based on observed data.
• Researchers' reflexivity (self-awareness) is a crucial consideration.
• The presentation highlights the subjective nature of the researcher, and the importance of considering context and bias.
• It should adhere to rigour.
• It uses purposive sampling.

Building Blocks of Qualitative Research

• The presentation covers various research designs such as ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and action research.
• Specific data collection methods like personal interviews, focus groups, observation, and document analysis are mentioned.
• Common data collection tools like semi-structured interview schedules, field notes, audio/video recordings, journals, and diaries are discussed.
• Gray (2014) is cited in relation to these aspects.

Links Between Research Design and Purpose

• Specific research designs like ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and action research are linked to particular research purposes.
• Ethnography focuses on describing cultural practices and social interaction.
• Phenomenology focuses on understanding personal experiences.
• Grounded theory clarifies concepts and develops new theories.
• Action research solves practical problems and provides guidelines.
• Mixed-methods approaches also come into the discussion.

Building Blocks of Quantitative Research

• The presentation details quantitative research design.
• Types of quantitative research design like Experimental, Quasi-Experimental, and Observational are mentioned.
• Methods of data collection, including surveys, randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, observation schedules, experiments, and document analysis.
• Tools such as measurements, questionnaires, official statistics, and business data are also part of the overview.
• The presentation references Gray (2014).

Activity

• Students are asked to produce a list of qualitative research features and quantitative research features.
• This will help in a discussion of the differences between qualitative and quantitative research.

Qualitative Research Article

• Participants are asked to review a qualitative research article by Lea, Kirby, and Tilley (2024).
  • This article details "Dogs as a gateway to the good life".

Sampling in Qualitative Research

• Qualitative research uses smaller samples than quantitative research.
• The aim is not to generalize findings.
• Instead, qualitative research stresses transferability.
• Sampling depends on factors like the research method, availability of subjects, resources, and depth of information required.
• The presenters introduce the concept of saturation when evaluating sample size.

Some Sampling Strategies

• The presentation lists purposive sampling, convenience sampling, snowball sampling, and theoretical sampling.

Judging the Quality of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

• Credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability are mentioned in the context of judging the quality of qualitative research.
• Internal validity, external validity, reliability, and objectivity are part of the assessment of quantitative research.
  • The presenter cites Lincoln and Guba (1985) in this context.

Activity: Journal Article Discussion

• Participants should review the qualitative journal article and be ready to discuss the research question, design, data collection method, and tools used in the article.
• Discuss whether the research design is appropriate for the research question.

Feedback from Activity

• The presenter asks participants to keep their chosen paper for future use.
• They will be needed in the next session and will be needed again.

Additional Information

• The presentation concludes by recommending the discussion board for questions not answered during the presentation.

This quiz explores qualitative research methods presented in the SoHP503 session by Rebecca Slee and Fiona Fraser. Participants will learn about the key characteristics of qualitative research, the differences between qualitative and quantitative approaches, and the significance of trustworthiness in research. Additionally, the quiz will cover the research process from developing questions to literature evaluation.