Research Methods in Sociology

Study Notes

Formal Systems for Qualitative Data Analysis

Formal systems aid researchers in understanding and interpreting qualitative data effectively.
Key techniques include coding for identifying core ideas, categorizing similar information, and connecting various themes.

Manual Guide by O’Connor & Gibson (2003)

Provided researchers with a structured manual for analyzing qualitative interviews with a step-by-step process.
Essential components include a six-step framework for thorough data interpretation.

Steps for Qualitative Data Analysis

Organizing Data: Utilize the interview guide to distinguish between critical questions/topics and less essential ones.
Finding and Organizing Ideas: Identify recurring themes, language patterns, and beliefs that link participants and contexts. Focus on frequently used phrases and unexpected responses.
Building Over-Arcing Themes: Consolidate individual response categories under broader themes for deeper insights.
Ensuring Reliability and Validity:
- Validity reflects accuracy in measuring intended constructs.
- Reliability indicates consistency across findings, requiring thoroughness in interviews, transcriptions, and analysis.

Interview Techniques

Funneling: Start interviews with broad questions and gradually narrow down to specific topics.
Probing: Employ techniques like 'laddered questions' for obtaining deeper insights.
Paraphrasing: Restate participant responses to ensure clarity without altering meaning.

Focus Groups

Conducted in group settings to gather a wider range of experiences and perspectives.
Benefits include larger sample sizes and a more inviting environment for participant engagement.

Observation Methods

Complete Participant: Researcher fully integrates into the community with covert observation.
Participant as Observer: Researcher engages intermittently, with open presence.
Observer as Participant: Researcher primarily observes but occasionally participates, can be known or covert.
Complete Observer: Researcher only observes without participation, can be known or concealed.

Data Analysis Process

Begins with familiarizing oneself with the data to inform a comprehensive understanding and interpretation of qualitative findings.

Description

Test your knowledge of research methods in sociology, including funneling, probing, paraphrasing, and focus groups. Learn about laddered questions and other techniques used in research interviews. Assess your understanding of data collection and analysis methods.