Module 6 - Qualitative Methods
Module 6 - Qualitative Methods
Module 6
Qualitative Research
Methods and
Techniques
Dr. Fatin Aliah Phang
Faculty of Education
Quantitative vs. Qualitative
Quantitative Qualitative
Number Text
Statistics Descriptions
Hypotheses In-depth inquiry
Deductive Inductive
Big sample Small sample
Objective Subjective
Can I use numbers in
qualitative research?
Theoretical
Perspective
Methodology
Method
(Crotty, 1998)
Objectivism vs. Subjectivism
Objectivism Subjectivism
Single reality Multiple reality
Deductive Inductive
Relationships among Descriptions of situations
variables
Researcher is detached Researchers is a tool
Context-free generalisation Context-bound descriptions
Generalisation is the Generalisation /
responsibility of the Transferability is determined
researcher by readers
Methodologies
• Grounded Theory
• Ethnography
• Action Research
• Case Study
Data Collection Methods
• Observation
• Interview
• Focus Group
Data Analysis Methods
• Trustworthiness:
– Dependability
– Credibility
– Transferability
– Confirmability
Researcher is the ONLY
Instrument / Tool in
Qualitative Research
Approach
Grounded Theory
• Glaser and Strauss (1967) and their work on the
interactions between health care professionals
and dying patients.
• Development of new theory through the
collection and analysis of data about a
phenomenon.
• The explanations that emerge are genuinely new
knowledge and are used to develop new theories
about a phenomenon.
Grounded Theory
• GT is one that will fit a situation being
researched, and will work when put into use.
• Fit - the categories generated through research
must be readily (not forcibly) applicable to and
indicated by the data under study.
• Work - those categories must be meaningfully
relevant to and be able to explain the behaviour
under study
Grounded Theory
Five premises underlying GT:
• The analysis of data is a ‘pragmatic’ one,
guidelines and rules of thumb
• Analysis generating new concepts/theories.
• ‘grounded’ in empirical - ‘constant comparison’
• ‘open-mind’
• ‘theoretical’ sampling
Grounded Theory
• Constant comparative method is the comparing of
(Glaser, 1978):
• different people
• data from the same individuals with themselves at
different points in time
• incident with incident
• data with category
• a category with other categories
Grounded Theory
• There are a few stages of data coding:
– open-coding
– axial-coding
– selective-coding
(Strauss & Corbin, 2008)
Grounded Theory
• The process of research will involve the continual
selection of units until the research arrives at the
point of theoretical saturation.
• It is only when new data seems to fit the analysis
without further modifications of the emerging
theory, rather than add anything new, that the
theory is saturated and the sample size is ‘enough’.
Grounded Theory
• The categories developed through this process
evolve as the researcher gain more theoretical
sensitivity.
• Make memos
• Keep going back to the data & theoretical
samples
• Until hypotheses / themes / theories emerge
Grounded Theory
• Bryant, A. & Charmaz, K. (2007). The Sage handbook of grounded theory. London: Sage.
• Charmaz, K. (2003). Grounded theory: objectivist and constructivist methods. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S.
Lincoln (ed.) Strategies of qualitative inquiry. (2nd ed.) (pp.249-291). Thousand Oaks: Sage
Publications.
• Charmaz, K. (2005). Grounded theory in the 21st century: applications for advancing social justice
studies. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Ed.) The Sage handbook of qualitative research. (3rd ed.)
(pp.507-536). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
• Glaser, B. G. & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory – Strategies for qualitative
research. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.
• Glaser, B. G. (1978). Advances in the methodology of grounded theory: theoretical sensitivity. San
Francisco: Sociology Press.
• Glaser, B. G. (1992). Basic of grounded theory analysis: emergence versus forcing. Mill Valley,
California: Sociology Press.
• Glaser, B. G. (1998). Doing grounded theory: issues and discussion. California: Sociology Press.
• Strauss, A. L. & Corbin, J. M. (2008). Basic of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and
techniques. (e ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.
Ethnography
• Has a background in anthropology.
• “portrait of a people”
• for descriptive studies of cultures & peoples.
• The cultural parameter - the people under
investigation have something in common -
geographical, religious, tribal, shared experience
Ethnography
• Observation
• Interview
• Focus Group
Observation
OBSERVATION
Participatory observation
Non-participatory
researcher immerses into the observation
research environment and
gains first hand experience resaearcher as outsider
Observation
Data collected during observation can be recorded
using the following methods:
Time-consuming
Observation
Preparing for Participant Observation
1. Determine the purpose of the participant
observation activity & research objectives
2. Determine the population(s) to be observed.
3. Consider the accessibility of the population(s)
and the venues.
4. Investigate possible sites
5. Select the site(s), time(s) and date(s)
Observation
Preparing for Participant Observation
6. Divide researchers to cover all sites
7. Consider how you will present yourself
8. Plan how and if you will take notes during the
participant observation activity.
9. Remember to take your field notebook and a
pen.
Observation
After Participant Observation
10.Schedule time soon after participant
observation to expand your notes.
11.Type your notes into computer files using the
standard format set for the study.
Observation
• Adler, P. A., & Adler, P. (1998). Observational techniques. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Yvonna
(eds.), Collecting and interpreting qualitative materials (pp.79-109). Thousand Oaks:
Sage Publications, Inc.
• Angrosino, M. V. (2005). Recontextualizing observation. In. N. K. Denzin & Lincoln, Y. S.
(eds.) The Sage handbook of qualitative research (3rd ed.) (pp.729-745). Thousand Oaks:
Sage.
• Tedlock, B. (2005). The observation of participation and the emergence of public
ethnography. In. N. K. Denzin & Lincoln, Y. S. (eds.) The Sage handbook of qualitative
research (3rd ed.) (pp.467-482). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Interview
Semi-structured Unstructured
Structured interview
interview interview
• ask respondents a • a set of prepared • the interview
set of prepared questions is used starts with a
questions like during the question or topic
questionnaire in interview but can and followed by
the form of face- be modified and more questions
to-face interview. added based on as the
There is an the respondents’ conversation goes
opportunity to answers. This is on. This is usually
explain the good for used by expert
meaning of the beginners in using interviewers
questions and to interview to
clarify the collect data
meaning of the
answers
Interview
• Should be fairly informal
• Interviewees should feel as though they are
participating in a conversation or discussion
rather than in a formal Q & A situation.
• Needs rigorous preparation, careful planning and
skills in conducting good interview.
• Consider the interviewees are the experts,
interviewer is the student who wants to learn
from the experts.
Interview
Getting familiar with the instruments
1. Study the interview guide.
2. Study the informed consent document.
3. Practice with a partner.
Interview
Day of the interview
4. Use a checklist to ensure that you have all the
equipment.
5. Label all data documentation materials (index)
6. Arrive early at the site to set up equipment.
7. Test your recording equipment.
Interview
Conducting the Interview
8. Greet the participant in a friendly manner to
begin establishing positive rapport.
9. Describe the steps of the interview process.
10.Obtain informed consent.
11.Turn on the tape recorder and check that it is
working.
12.Check informed consent orally with the tape
recorder on.
Interview
13.Conduct the interview according to the
interview guide.
14.End the interview.
15.Let the participant ask questions.
16.Reconfirm the participant’s consent while the
tape recorder is still on.
17.Thank the participant.
18.Clarify any factual errors expressed by
participants during the interview.
Interview
After the Interview
19.Check the tape to see if the interview was
recorded. If not, expand your notes
immediately.
20.Make sure all materials are labeled with the
index number.
Interview
After the Interview
21.Assemble all materials into one envelope.
Double-check that you have completed all forms
and that all materials are appropriately labeled.
Note and explain any missing materials on the
index sheet.
22.Expand your notes within 24 hours if possible.
Interview
• Fontana, A. & Frey, J. H. (2005). The interview: From neutral stance to political
involvement. In. N. K. Denzin & Lincoln, Y. S. (eds.) The Sage handbook of qualitative
research (3rd ed.) (pp.695-728). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
• Gillham, B. (2000). The research interview. London: Continuum.
• Gubrium, J. F. & Holstein, J. A. (2001). Handbook of interview research: Context &
method. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
• Kvale, S. (1996). InterView: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing.
Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
• Seidman, I. (1998). Interviewing as qualitative research (2nd ed.). New York: Teachers
College Press.
Focus Group
• Similar to interview but with more than 1
interviewees at a time.
• Group interviews can be used when:
– Limited resources prevent more than a small number
of interviews being undertaken.
– Can to identify a number of individuals who share a
common factor & to collect the views of several
people within that population sub group.
– Group interaction among participants has the
potential for greater insights to be developed.
Focus Group
• A group is of 6 – 10 people.
• More than 1 group for a study - to provide
adequate breadth and depth of information
• The members of each focus group should have
something in common - important to the topic of
investigation.
• Specially formed groups.
• Needs a few skills in facilitating, moderating,
listening, observing and analysing in groups.
Focus Group
• Kamberelis, G. & Dimitriadis, G. (2005). Focus groups: Strategic articulations of
pedagogy, politics and inquiry. In. N. K. Denzin & Lincoln, Y. S. (eds.) The Sage handbook
of qualitative research (3rd ed.) (pp.887-908). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
• Krueger, R. A. (1994). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research (2 nd ed.).
Thousand Oaks: Sage.
• Litoselliti, L. (2003). Using focus groups in research. London: Continuum.
• Macnaghten, P. & Myers, G. (2004). Focus groups. In C. Seale, Gobo, G., Gubrium, J. F. &
Silverman, D. (eds.) Qualitative research practice (pp.65-79). London: Sage.
• Stewart, D. W., Shamdasani, P. N. & Rook, D. W. (2007). Focus groups: Theory and
practice. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
Data Analysis Methods