Qualitative Interpretations PDF

1.​ What are the origins of interpretation, as a formal, purposeful activity and what is the well-known synonym for it?(slide 8) Interpretation is a construction of meaning. Interpretation as a formal, purposeful activity first emerged in the culture of late classical antiquity and it was cl...

1.​ What are the origins of interpretation, as a formal, purposeful activity and what is the well-known synonym for it?(slide 8) Interpretation is a construction of meaning. Interpretation as a formal, purposeful activity first emerged in the culture of late classical antiquity and it was closely connected to mythical/religious writings and biblical texts as if to ‘translate them’. The synonym for this term is ‘hermeneutics’ 2.​ Describe briefly, what are the underpinnings of interpretation?(slide 12) Underpinnings of interpretation are connected with our world frame and epistemology that its coming from. It includes our ethical views, political and in general world views and opinions including religion. These factors shape our interpretations and final outcome of the view. What some people might see as worthy of attention, other can completely disagree and not even look at it as an option 3.​ Describe briefly, what is “Suspicious interpretation” and its main characteristics.(slide 16) It means as ‘getting to the truth of the matter’. It tends to be theory-driven and appearances are used as cues. 'Suspicious' interpretations seek to account for phenomena; as such they make sense of phenomena (be this a text, a symptom, a behaviour or a wider social phenomenon) by pointing to invisible underlying processes and structures which generate them. 4.​ Describe briefly, what is “Empathic interpretation” and its main characteristics.(slide 17) 'Empathic' interpretations focus on what presents itself rather than what might be hidden; Complete the picture in a way and trying to understand from ‘within’ and creates an environment for the shared understanding from the experience that other people had or didn't have 5.​ Explain the relationship between suspicious and empathic interpretation.(slide 18) Both of the interpretation are working and producing reliable insights only when paired together, as ‘empathy’ produces understanding, and ‘suspicion’ produces explanation. So in order to produce an interpretation we need to understand how other people/a client views is and as if put those glasses on us and highlight what’s important or relevant. A person who is engaging in interpretation need to know about the ‘nature of knowledge’ and ‘nature of reality’ to draw a line and make conclusions 6.​ What types of orientations to the interpretation are in use in qualitative research?(slide 29) -​ psychoanalytic -​ phenomenological -​ discourse analysis -​ ‘Psychosocial’ approach -​ grounded theory  7.​ Explain the ethical challenges of the psychoanalytic research.(slides 30,31) Psychoanalytic case studies are a by-product of clincal work wich is not a free of use feature and it is protected by law and ethical committees. Confidentiality is of the main importance in psychotherapeutic practice because the client-therapist relationship is based on trust and collaboration. If the research is conducted, it means that the questions that are asked are not as straightforward and the answers are not only looked at but also the non-verbal communication that is presented. Usually the ‘research relationships’ is time limited and is not as deep as a regular client-therapist relationship. The interpretations in the publications have to be made with the critical caution to not to devalue or wrongly interpret the information given and not put the client on a spot 8.​ Describe briefly the main characteristics of phenomenological research.(slides 32, 33, 34) All forms of the phenomenological research are committed to staying very close to the text that is being analyzed. Researchers should be highly reflexive and think more critically. As well allowing himself to become aware and being able to detach from one's own assumptions and thoughts. Or notice at which times this happens and how to prevent it. Using the process of ‘ unknowing’ to increase understanding. Not only the text that is analyzed has an affect on the researcher but the other way around as well. Phenomenological analysis is in charge of WHAT is said 9.​ Describe briefly the main characteristics of discourse analysis.(slides 35, 36, 37) Discourse brings up a feature in the ways in which language constructs, so HOW the language is used. The detailed examination is conducted on the use of specific terminology, grammar, repetitions and use of other literary devices. Discourse analysis looks very specific into language as something constructive and performative. Language as well could reflect the emotions or the type of experience that person underwent at a certain age or environment. Discourse analysis is connected to the language, practice and context. 10.​Describe briefly the main characteristics of psychosocial approach to interpretation.(slides 38, 39, 40) It combines discourse analytic and psychoanalytic perspectives to ‘thicken’ the analysis of data. The aim is to recover an understanding of the dynamics of subjectivity without losing sight of the importance of the social and discursive context within which participants' narratives are produced. It’s about WHY stuff are said, what is the underlying factors to it, what hides behind what’s said - the origin 11.​ Explain what is “interpretative violence” as well as “epistemological violence” and illustrate them with examples.(slide 49) Interpretative violence - the interpretation that is causing any sort of damage and is unethical towards the group that was included in the trial or the group that received the information. E.g traditions of one or the other ethnically groups are considered as something demonic when interpreted on the other side of the globe, or by another ethnical or religious group. Epistemological violence - the interpretation of social-scientific data on the Other and is produced when empirical data are interpreted as showing the inferiority of or problematizes the Other, even when data allow for equally viable alternative interpretations. E.g when the data by its origin is considered bad by the choice 12.​ Explain the main ethical issues of interpretation in qualitative research and the basic strategies to address ethical concerns.(slide 50 + 51, 52, 53 - just to better understand the 3 strategies) Interpreter has to be well aware of other people, his own thoughts and his surroundings when building interpretations, as well as not confuse his own beliefs and projections onto the other people/or the test group. Political, social contexts are as of importance while also taking in consideration possible limitations of one’s interpretation. Basic strategies to address ethical concerns: -​ Keeping the research question in mind and knowing that the information that is revealed is a small piece of a bigger picture, it’s considered more as an attempt rather than the whole study -​ Ensuring that participants voices are included. As the researcher alone, most of the time, gives a meaning to the text without the involvement of the participant. It means not giving out the interpretations as the participants own ‘truth’ -​ Being open to alternative interpretations. Meaning avoiding the ‘top-down’ assertations but engaging in ‘careful examination of textual material’. Contextualizing and Narrativizing. Researchers have to consider social, political and other environmental aspects when creating the hypothesis, research question and theories 13.​ What is the relationship between experience and it’s description in language according to Polkinghorne (2005)?(slide 58) -​ Expressive approach explains that language is used to express preexisting thoughts and feelings - words used are secondary to the feelings that they attempt to capture -​ Performative approaches sees language are more in a way of construction of the meaning rather than just reflecting it. Those could be socio-cultural sayings or a celebratory saying what's' meaning can not be translated to the other languages without loosing its own value -​ Polkinghorne describes something like a middle position - experience is seen as more complex than literal language is capable of capturing, but at the same time metaphors reflect both at some point 14.​ What are different approaches in which qualitative research can engage with the problem of language according to Carla Willig?(slide 59) Paying attention to the form and content because of their co-existence. In combination they creat a somewhat clear picture of the experience and the reaction of the participant on the events and in general their world view. The approaches that are introduced by Clara Wilig are: -​ Realist -​ Phenomenological -​ Social constructionist 15.​ What are the main characteristics of the realist approach to qualitative research according to Carla Wilig?(slide 60) It’s used in qualitative research to obtain the understanding the social world and human psychology. The assumption under this approach stated that there are certain processes and patterns of social/psychological nature that influence or defines the participants behavior or the thinking process. This includes as if being a ‘detective’ to uncover the hidden meaning and facts and to have a broader view from a different perspective. It as well includes the psychoanalytic approach. It has a primary interest in the CONTENT. Function of the language is EXPRESSIVE. It also points out that there is something’s existing apart from the participant himself, as he can not view it from hos standpoint 16.​ What are the main characteristics of the phenomenological approach to qualitative research according to Carla Wilig?(slide 62) It’s about producing knowledge about the nature and quality of the subjective experience. The interpreter listens to the experience but does not necessarily takes it as for the only truth, but leaves space. Such research aims to UNDERSTAND experience. “What is the world like for this participant?” Function of language is still primarily expressive 17.​ What are the main characteristics of the social - constructionist approach to qualitative research according to Carla Wilig?(slide 63) ‘How people talk about the world’ and how they construct versions of reality through the use of language. To know how things are known. Discourse analysis is the best fit to gather this type of data. Primary interest in the FORM of data and language is seen as a CONSTRUCTIVE and its function is PERFORMATIVE