Chapter 5: Qualitative Methodologies: An Overview

Quizzes give you the chance to test your knowledge through multiple choice questions, short answers, matching activities and other revision tools.

1. Match the definition to the correct research term:

Research term

  • Correlation
  • Hypothesis
  • Independent variable
  • Dependent variable
  • Probability sampling
  • Pilot study
  • Descriptive statistics
  • Non-probability sampling
  • Inferential statistics
  • Inductive reasoning
  • Deductive reasoning
  • Single blind study
  • Mode
  • Double blind study
  • Bias
  • Control group
  • Data saturation
  • Generalizability
  • Iterative process
  • Median
  • Placebo
  • Reflexivity

Definition

  • The presumed effect
  • A statement which predicts the relationship between the variables that are to be measured during a study
  • The constant review of data until data analysis has been completed
  • When the findings are distorted
  • When either the researcher or the participant does not know which intervention or treatment the participant has received
  • Enable extrapolations to be drawn to the wider population
  • A small scale version of the larger planned study
  • Development of a theory based on a study’s findings
  • A sampling strategy which means that potential participants have an equal or random chance of being invited to take part
  • Participants who receive the conventional (usual) or placebo intervention in a randomised controlled trial
  • When the researcher and the participant do not know which intervention or treatment that the participant has received
  • The middle value when all the scores or cases are placed in order
  • Testing a theory or hypothesis
  • Application of the findings to the wider population
  • Measures of central tendency
  • A mock or dummy treatment
  • The presumed cause that causes the effect
  • The most commonly occurring score or case
  • The researcher reflects upon the impact of their knowledge, experience and beliefs on the conduct of the research
  • When data collection and analysis does not reveal any new findings and so the recruitment of further participants is unnecessary
  • Link or association
  • Participants are recruited because they have ongoing or prior experience of the phenomena the researcher is exploring

Answer:

  • Correlation - link or association
  • Hypothesis - a statement which predicts the relationship between the variables that are to be measured during a study
  • Independent variable - the presumed cause that causes the effect
  • Dependent variable - the presumed effect
  • Probability sampling - a sampling strategy which means that potential participants have an equal or random chance of being invited to take part
  • Pilot study - a small scale version of the larger planned study
  • Descriptive statistics - measures of central tendency
  • Non-probability sampling - participants are recruited because they have ongoing or prior experience of the phenomena the researcher is exploring
  • Inferential statistics - enable extrapolations to be drawn to the wider population
  • Inductive reasoning - development of a theory based on a study’s findings
  • Deductive reasoning - testing a theory or hypothesis
  • Single blind study - when either the researcher or the participant does not know which intervention or treatment the participant has received
  • Mode - the most commonly occurring score or case
  • Double blind study - when the researcher and the participant do not know which intervention or treatment that the participant has received
  • Bias - when the findings are distorted
  • Control group - participants who receive the conventional (usual) or placebo intervention in a randomised controlled trial
  • Data saturation - when data collection and analysis does not reveal any new findings and so the recruitment of further participants is unnecessary
  • Generalizability - application of the findings to the wider population
  • Iterative process - the constant review of data until data analysis has been completed
  • Median - the middle value when all the scores or cases are placed in order
  • Placebo - a mock or dummy treatment
  • Reflexivity - the researcher reflects upon the impact of their knowledge, experience and beliefs on the conduct of the research

2. Identify which of the following characteristics apply to quantitative research and which apply to qualitative research:

Underpinning paradigm of positivism

Research methods include phenomenology and ethnography

Narrow, reductionist focus

Nature of evidence subjective  

Rigour determined by assessing validity and reliability

Aims to discover empirical evidence

Underpinning paradigm of interpretivism

Starts with an hypothesis or null hypothesis

Inductive reasoning

Uses fixed, structured designs

Nature of evidence objective

Aims to discover meanings

Involves large, representative samples

Extensive data collection with a narrow focus

Sample size often determined by data saturation

Often involves a pilot study  

Broad, holistic focus

Tests cause and effect relationships

Identifies correlations

Rigour determined by assessing trustworthiness

Generates rich, detailed narrative data

Intensive data collection with a wide focus

Carried out in a natural setting  

Deductive reasoning

Does not involve a pilot study

Sample size often calculated using a power calculation  

Starts with broad question, problem or idea

Structured data collection tools

Generates numerical, quantifiable data

Involves small, relevant samples

Results presented numerically using tables, charts and graphs

Uses flexible, evolving designs  

Attempts are made to control the environment

Findings presented as detailed descriptions often with direct quotes

Semi or unstructured data collection tools

Research methods include RCTs and cohort studies

Answer:

Underpinning paradigm of positivism – quantitative

Research methods include phenomenology and ethnography - qualitative

Narrow, reductionist focus - quantitative

Nature of evidence subjective - qualitative

Rigour determined by assessing validity and reliability - quantitative

Aims to discover empirical evidence - quantitative

Underpinning paradigm of interpretivism - qualitative

Starts with an hypothesis or null hypothesis - quantitative

Inductive reasoning - qualitative

Uses fixed, structured designs - quantitative

Nature of evidence objective - quantitative

Aims to discover meanings – qualitative

Involves large, representative samples - quantitative

Extensive data collection with a narrow focus - quantitative

Sample size often determined by data saturation - qualitative

Often involves a pilot study - quantitative

Broad, holistic focus - qualitative

Tests cause and effect relationships - quantitative

Identifies correlations – quantitative

Rigour determined by assessing trustworthiness - qualitative

Generates rich, detailed narrative data - qualitative

Intensive data collection with a wide focus – quantitative

Carried out in a natural setting - qualitative

Deductive reasoning – quantitative

Does not involve a pilot study - qualitative

Sample size often calculated using a power calculation - quantitative

Starts with broad question, problem or idea - qualitative

Structured data collection tools - qualitative

Generates numerical, quantifiable data - quantitative

Involves small, relevant samples – qualitative

Results presented numerically using tables, charts and graphs - quantitative

Uses flexible, evolving designs - qualitative

Attempts are made to control the environment – quantitative

Findings presented as detailed descriptions often with direct quotes - qualitative

Semi or unstructured data collection tools – qualitative

Research methods include RCTs and cohort studies – quantitative