Research Paradigms and Interview Techniques

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

An approach to interviews that treats responses as a mirror of reality to reconstruct events is best described as:

Interviews as data

Mutual construction

Purposive sampling

Interviews as resource (correct)

Which of the following best describes the perspective that the interviewer and the interviewee create an understanding of reality together?

Interviews as resource

Interviews as data (correct)

Positivist paradigm

Quantitative paradigm

What is most important for the selection of the people who should be interviewed?

Following a random recruitment process

Recruiting people until the researcher is satisfied

Ensuring a broad sample to gain varied points of view

Focusing on a small group to achieve an in depth understanding (correct)

Which paradigm emphasizes a singular, objective truth that can be discovered through quantitative methods?

Positivism (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using transparent and logical argumentation when selecting interviewees?

To ensure the research is systematic (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the central tenet of the constructivist perspective on reality?

Reality is actively constructed by observers and not independent of them. (B) Signup and view all the answers

When selecting participants, focusing on purposive sampling implies:

Selecting participants who are most informative in relation to the research question. (B) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher, exploring power dynamics in a community, is employing what research tradition?

Critical tradition (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which paradigm is characterized by researchers becoming co-researchers with their participants?

Participatory/Cooperative Inquiry (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of epistemology in the context of research?

The relationship between the inquirer and knowledge. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which paradigm acknowledges the possibility of a real world, but suggests human limitations may impede full understanding?

Post-Positivism (A) Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates methodology from methods in the context of social research?

Methodology consists of a set of beliefs about how to study the social world, while methods are practical instructions on how to study it. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which research paradigm operates under a 'descriptive' lens, focusing on multiple interpretations and the role of researcher subjectivity?

Constructivist (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interview focuses on how participants use specific symbols and arguments to defend their standpoint?

Discursive interviews (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of factual interviews?

To collect people's accounts of events and behaviors (B) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher aims to understand the varying perspectives on marriage. Which sampling strategy would be most suitable to capture a wide range of views?

Maximal variation samples (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'saturation' point in the context of interview research?

When new interviews start to produce the same insights (A) Signup and view all the answers

If a researcher is studying the impact of social media on political engagement and selects participants who are very active or completely inactive, which sampling strategy are they using?

Extreme/deviant samples (A) Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is interested in how journalists define 'objectivity'. Which of the following formulas should they use to develop their research question?

How + [group of people] + [verb related to meaning-making] + [topic] (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the purpose of conceptual interviews?

To understand how individuals interpret abstract ideas (B) Signup and view all the answers

What characterises 'typical samples' within interview research?

They include cases that represent the average based on the topic (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'taken-for-grantedness' in the context of qualitative data analysis?

When the researcher is no longer surprised by participants' actions or comments and sees no need for further investigation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'theoretical saturation' primarily refer to in qualitative data analysis?

The point at which new data no longer generates new critical theoretical insights. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a suggested method to combat the negative effects of immersion in qualitative data analysis?

Focusing solely on the detailed analysis of data for better understanding. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best description of 'reflexivity' within qualitative analysis?

Critically examining your own role and influence in the analysis and interpretation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Rhetorical analysis primarily focuses on:

Analyzing the composition and structure of text to understand persuasive strategies. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following rhetorical appeals relates to the use of emotional strategies?

Pathos (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'ethos' refer to in the context of rhetorical analysis?

The credibility and reputation of the speaker or author. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would be most suitable to analyze via rhetorical analysis?

An electoral campaign speech by a political candidate. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of skepticism in discourse analysis?

To challenge assumptions and taken-for-granted ideas within a text. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided materials, what is a key focus of discourse analysis?

Identifying competing perspectives and the dominant discourse within a text. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT identified as a guiding question in discourse analysis?

What are the demographic characteristics of the author? (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a primary advantage of discourse analysis?

It offers a comprehensive approach to meaning-making by connecting text to wider social structures. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a significant disadvantage associated with discourse analysis?

The process of analysis can appear opaque making it difficult for others to verify the interpretation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

To mitigate the ‘black box’ issue of discourse analysis, what strategy is recommended?

Providing a transparent protocol and detailed examples in the analysis. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean for a qualitative researcher to approach writing as an iterative process?

Writing is an ongoing process that influences ongoing data collection and analysis. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is at the heart of all research?

Discovery. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'discourse' as presented in the text?

A structured system of ideas and values that shapes how we talk and think about the world. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of discourse analysis as explained in the text?

To uncover the underlying ways of thinking and power dynamics embedded within texts. (C) Signup and view all the answers

When conducting discourse analysis, what does the 'semantic layer' primarily focus on?

The meaning of words, phrases, and figures of speech. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The 'syntactic layer' of a text in discourse analysis examines which aspect?

The structure of sentences and phrases. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'argumentative layer' of discourse analysis primarily explore?

The logic and reasoning underpinning the text. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'performative layer' of discourse analysis aim to identify?

What the text does by saying something, such as making a claim or providing an excuse. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Discourse analysis is particularly useful when questioning what aspect?

Whether texts are reproducing or resisting existing social structures and norms. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'meaning-making practices' in the context of discourse?

The ways in which we talk about and make sense of discourse objects. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Qualitative Methods in Media and Communication (QUAL)

Qualitative research is interpretive, political, theoretical, and interdisciplinary
It focuses on understanding experiences, relationships, and the meanings of words, concepts, and ideas.
It considers reality as socially constructed.
Quantitative research attempts to determine validity, reliability, objectivity, and truth.
It uses numbers to quantify data and measure causal relationships.
It is often seen as more authentic, important, and scientific.

Cultural Approach to Communication

Communication is a process of production within a specific cultural, historical, and political context.
Meaning is constructed through language.

Paradigms

Paradigms are intellectual maps and models that guide research.
They provide different ways of conceptualizing the research process.
Key paradigms in qualitative research:
Predictive: Belief in a singular truth, with researchers as neutral observers.
Positivist: Belief that reality exists and can be known through rigorous testing, free from human bias.
Post-Positivist: Acknowledges the limitations of humans, acknowledging the existence of truth though imperfection in the approach.
Descriptive: Belief in multiple interpretations of truth; Acknowledges researcher subjectivity
Constructivist/Constructionist: Belief that truth is not universally known; acknowledges researcher subjectivity,
Critical: Focuses on power relations and social inequalities.
Participatory/Cooperative: Focuses on collaboration and empowering participants.

Doing Qualitative Research

Qualitative research involves drawing out the connotative meanings of words and experiences.
It seeks to understand experiences within specific historical and social contexts.
Focuses on the process inherent in social and cultural practices
Quantitative research can explain and predict human culture in a general sense.

The Qualitative Research Process

Choosing a research topic: identify relevant issues.
Constructing research questions: formulate focused, answerable questions.
Gathering evidence: collect relevant data.
Analyzing and interpreting data: analyze collected data within context.
Crafting a research report: articulate findings and conclusions within a logical structure.

Ethics in Qualitative Research

Informed Consent: Participants must be fully informed about the research and allowed to refuse participation.
Deception should be avoided, as well as participants' privacy violated.
Researchers are responsible for accurate data collection and analysis.
Respectful and fair treatment of participants.
Avoiding harm to participants
Including diverse perspectives in the focus group

Ethnography & Participant Observation

In-depth study of people's experiences in their natural environments.
Focuses on observing, talking to, and interacting with people.
May include interviews, observations, and interviews.
Emphasizes the context of culture
Uses a cyclical and iterative data collection method.
Primary emphasis is on the experiences of the participants within this setting.

Qualitative Interviews and Sampling

Using interviews to understand how people make sense of the world and their experiences.
Interviews gather in-depth information about experiences, meanings.
Types of interviews: structured, semi-structured, unstructured.
Sampling strategies: purposive, snowball, maximal variation.

Focus Groups

A group discussion guided by a moderator to understand interactions within a social group.
Focuses on the interaction and shared experiences within a group.
A flexible approach to understanding patterns, and how a particular group perceives issues.

Data Analysis

Process of ordering, categorizing, and organizing data to answer research questions.
Data can be qualitative (observations, interviews, textual material) or quantitative (numerical data).
Using tools for identifying patterns and themes in the data.
Methods include: Thematic Analysis, Constructivist Grounded Theory, Discourse Analysis, Narrative Analysis, and Semiotic Analysis.

Material and Textual Data

Qualitative analysis of non-verbal/human-made material as social objects
Includes images and physical objects, texts.
Analysis considers how materials shape and are influenced by social practices.
Interprets how data, texts and images create or reflect social realities.

Rhetorical Analysis

Examines how persuasive messages are constructed and organized.
It looks at the methods of persuasion, appeals, and the speaker's credibility.
Analysis focuses on who, what, and why the message is conveyed.
Examines the elements of a persuasion (logos, pathos, ethos).

Semiotic Analysis

Examines signs and symbols to understand meaning-making.
A model for how signs and languages are used to communicate meaning.
Key concepts: denotation and connotation, signified and signifier, icon, index, symbol.
Uncovers implicit meanings in images, texts.

Narrative Analysis

The study of stories and narrative structure to make sense of experiences.
Identifies the elements of a narrative: characters, plot, setting, resolution.
How stories express experiences and social/cultural values.
Recognizes that stories shape meaning and understanding across different cultures and contexts.

Thematic Analysis

Identifies patterns and themes within data, particularly rich data sets.
Used to describe patterns, determine connections, and analyze the broader, underlying issues.
The structure of the analysis includes steps to follow to ensure a sound analysis.

Grounded Theory

Grounded in observations, interviews, experiences; focuses on generating theory from data.
Inductive method: moves from empirical data to generate new theories.
Analysis is context-dependent: considers that reality is continually constructed.

Discourse Analysis

Discovers the recurring patterns and shared understandings in communication.
Analyzes texts, communication, conversations, behaviors.
Reveals the dominant discourse and questions its power relation.

Writing and Assessing Qualitative Analysis

The writing process, structure, and ethical considerations
Developing compelling, and detailed explanations, conclusions, and understandings.
Attention to various audiences.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your understanding of various research paradigms and interview techniques. This quiz covers key concepts such as constructivism, epistemology, and sampling methods in qualitative research. Perfect for students looking to deepen their grasp of research methodology.