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qualitative research (RSCH)

Terms in this set (119)

what is qualitative research
-phenomena studies in naturalistic settings
-used when attempting to understand the nature of a phenomenon
what does qualitative research attempt to interpret
phenomena int terms of the meanings people bring to them
naturalistic setting
-setting that people live in daily
what is naturalistic setting important
because qualitative researchers consider the context to be very important in understanding a phenomenon
beliefs of qualitative researchers
multiple realities
-similarities and differences in every person's experience

reality is socially constructed and context dependent
-meaning of an observation is defined by its circumstance or context (varies)
components of qualitative research report
review of literature
explanation of study design
description of the sample
data collection
description of the setting
data analysis
findings
conclusions
qualitative review of literature
-usually less published literature available
-may need to review studies with related or similar subjects or concepts
-may wait to do literature review until after study (after gathering data and beginning of analysis) but still need basic review for justification
explanation of the study design
-should be congruent with the philosophy of the researcher (what they feel is important or a design they have expertise in)
-may use a particular qualitative method or may follow the general tenets of qualitative research
-"softer explanation"
description of the sample
-usually purposive sample (not random) because the researcher is looking for the particular person who can elucidate the phenomena being studied
-often a convenient sample
inclusion and exclusion of sample description
-description of what characteristics a person must have to be selected or excluded from the study
-sample size is determined when data saturation occurs (when into being shared with researcher becomes repetitive)
data collection
-usually words (interview or description)
when is sample size determined (qualitative)
after you develop themes and repetitive ideas related to the phenomena
data collection describes
steps from when the participant contacted the researcher until the end of the study
description of setting
-rich source of data in qualitative research
-contains detail about how long the researcher spent collecting data
data collection starts when
when participant begins an interaction or interview with a participant until the end of the study
settings (2)
1. place where recruitment occurred
2. place where data collection occurred
what is described in data
-how long researcher spent collecting data
-how researcher decided data saturation had been reached
-kinds of questions asked
data analysis
-how raw data are handled
-usually transcripts of taped interviews
goal of data analysis
to find commonalities and differences and then group these into broader categories that capture the phenomena
findings
describe a process, set of conditions, or description of experience
themes in findings
identifies and the process used to distinguish themes - described
-quotes are used to support themes
conclusions
-summarization of results
-similarities/ differences with existing literature
-new findings or conceptual conclusions
-suggest how to use findings in practice or future research
descriptive categories
phenomenon is vividly portrayed from a new perspective
descriptive categories provide what
a map into a human experience that previously was not well understood
kearny's categories of qualitative findings
1. shared pathway or meaning
2. depiction of experimental variation
3. dense explanatory description
kearny's shared pathway or meaning
synthesis of a shared experience or process; integration of concepts
= providing a complex picture of the phenomenon
depiction of experimental variation (kearny's)
describes main essence of an experience but also shows how the experience varies- depending on the individual or context
kearny's dense explanatory description
-rich, situated understanding of multifaceted and varied human phenomenon in a unique situation
-highest level of complexity and discovery
kearny's dense explanatory description does what
-portrays full range and depth of complex influences
-provides a densely woven structure to findings
how do nurses use qualitative research
-understand experiences of patients
-assess patient status or progress
-understand range of responses from patients
-provide anticipatory guidance
-provide information helpful for coaching patients
-improve communication between nurses and patients
pg 96 in book
pg 103
...
qualitative research does NOT test
interventions
qualitative research does what
-seeks to understand the patient's experience
-provide info necessary to pursue quantitative studies
-may be used for theory development or extension
qualitative research collects data until
saturation
qualitative research considers this very important
context
qualitative research uses this in testing
purposeful samples
qualitative research usually describes what
a process, set of conditions, or experience
(and identifies themes)
qualitative research may be used for ______ or _______
theory development or extension
in qualitative data- objective / subjective
objective doesn't necessarily capture the whole of human experience
-subjective data are also needed
humans attribute this to their experiences
meaning
where does experience evolve from
social and historical context
(well suited to central concern of nursing)
managing ______ in qualitative data is expected
managing personal bias
-because each human being is unique with their own perspectives
phenomenology
process of learning and constructing the meaning of human experience through intensive dialogue with persons who are living the experience
goal of phenomenology
to understand the meaning of the experience as it is lived by the participant- the lived experience
meaning of phenomenology is pursued how
through a dialogic process
researchers perspective in phenomenology
must use some strategy to identify personal bias about phenomenon
in phenomenology, sampling is
purposive sampling
-researcher seeks individuals who are either living or have lived the experience being studied
data collection in phenomenology
-consists of written and oral data
-may return to this to clarify a response
-data saturation guides the decision concerning the number of interviews needed
data analysis in phenomenology
-thorough and sensitive readings of participants descriptions
-identifies shift in participants thoughts and divide thoughts into segments
included in each segment of phenomenology
specification of significant phrases in each thought segment
distillation of each significant phrase is used to
express the central meaning
(phenomenology)
data analysis in phenomenology groups ......
segments together that contain similar central meanings
-preliminary synthesis of grouped segments focusing on the essence of the phenomena
final synthesis of data analysis in phenomenology
final synthesis of the essences that have surfaces in participant descriptions to produce an exhaustive description of the lived experience
describe findings in phenomenology
-research question (beginning)
-through samples of patiricpants words and researchers interpretation to a final synthesis that tells a story about the lived experience
grounded theory
inductive approach to construct a theory about basic human social processes
grounded theory- theory
theory emerges based on observations and perceptions of the social context and evolves during data collection and analysis
grounded theory- resulting theory
should be useful in explaining, interpreting, or predicting the phenomena
identifying phenomena in grounded theory
basic social process or gerund indicating change across time as social reality is negotiated
structuring the study of grounded theory
-appropriate research questions are those that address basic social processes that shape human behavior
-extensive literature review might not be done- allowing the theory to emerge from the data
sample selection of grounded theory
-purposive; participants are chosen b/c they are experiencing the phenomena
-events and incidence are selected that are related to the social process under investigation
data gathering in grounded theory
-collected through interview and skilled observations of social process being investigated
-usually start with open-ended questions
-researchers record observations as field notes
grounded theory- data collection and analysis occur how
simultaneously
data collection/ analysis (grounded)
-hunches about emerging patterns in data are noted in memos
-researcher directs activities in field by pursuing hunches = "theoretical sampling"
-using coding, researcher examines data carefully line by line -- breaks it down into discrete parts and compares it for similarities and differences
codes in grounded theory
clustered to form categories; categories then expanded and developed or they collapse into one another
-diagram of theoretical model is often constructed
findings in grounded theory
-explains process in steps
-logic of the method
-theory that has emerged
-descriptive language/ diagrams = used as evidence
ethnography focus
scientific description and interpretation of cultural/ social groups and systems
goal of ethongraphy
understand the native's view of their world or the emic view
emic view in ethnography
insider's view is contrasted to the etic outsider's view
ethnography means
both the research process and the study itself
ethnography in identifying the phenomena
-describes world of people being studied
-includes: cultural, political, economical, institutional, and social-relational aspects
ethnography identifies phenomena by answering
how:
cultural knowledge
norms
values
other contextual variables
-influence the health experience
ethnography structuring the study
-research questions focus on lifeways or particular patterns of behavior
-culture is viewed as the system of knowledge and linguistic expressions used by social groups
researchers perspective in ethnography
-attempts to make sense of world from insider's point of view
-researcher brackets personal biases
ethnographic sample selection
purposive as information is gathered from individuals who have special knowledge, status, or communication skills
-& willing to teach ethnographer
"key informants"
ethnographic data gathering
participant observation as the researcher is immersed in the setting
-interviews with informants
-interpretation of cultural patterns
-takes place in natural setting
major focus in data gathering (ethno)
field work
-photos or other objects also may be considered data and are called artifacts
interviews in ethnography
(data gathering)
-often semistructured interviews
-descriptive, broad, open-ended questions
-structural (in depth) questions that expand and verify the unit of analysis
-contrast questions that further clarify and provide criteria for exclusion
data analysis in ethno
-begins with research domains or symbolic categories that include smaller categories
language in data analysis (ethno)
language is analyzed for semantic relationships and questions are formulated to expand and verify data
data analysis (ethno) leads to
hypothetical propositions about the cultural phenomenon under investigation
techniques for findings in ethno
pulling reader in
recreating experiential mood
adding surprise
reconstructing ethnographic experience and creating closure for the study
findings in ethno
-thorough description of the analytic process
-statements of hypothetical propositions and their relationship to the ethnographers frame of reference
case study
in depth study of the peculiarities and commonalities of a single case
-may include quantitative or qualitative data or both
intrinsic case study
undertaken to have a better understanding of the case
instrumental case study
when researcher is pursuing insight into an issue or wants to challenge some generalization
identify phenomenon in case study
focus: individual, family, community, or organization
-some complex phenomenon that demands close scrutiny for understanding
structuring a case study
questions developed around issues hat serve as foundation to uncover complexity and pursue understanding
-evolve over time and new questions emerge as data is collected (iterative process)
researchers perspective in case study
-etic perspective is reflected in the questions
-(eventually) perspective begins to shift from etic (outsiders) to emic (insiders) perspective
sample selection case study
ranges from choosing the most unusual case
-cases selected b/c they offer the best opportunities for learning/ best inform us about the phenomena if interest
data gathering in case study
uses interviews, observation, document review, and other method that enables understanding of the complexity of the issue
data analysis of case study
-reflection/ revising the meanings
-closely aligned to data gathering and description of findings
-findings are usually reported
findings of case study (in data analysis)
1. chronological development of case
2. researchers story of coming to know the case
3 one-by-one description of case dimensions
4. vignettes that highlight these qualities
historical research
systematic approach for understanding the past through collection, organization, and critical appraisal of facts
goal of historical research
illuminate the past so that it can guide the present and the future
research question in historical research
often- implicit in the phenomena being studied
sample in historical research
-data sources = sample (reference list)
-primary source = eye witness
-secondary source = provide view of the phenomenon from another's perspective rather than a first-hand account

-examined for authenticity or external criticism
-reliability within the documentation (internal criticism)
presentation of a historical study should be:
logical
consistent
easy to follow
community-based participatory research
-systematically accesses the voice of community to plan appropriate action
-involves members of population as active, equal participants
community-based participatory research AKA
community-based action research
three phases of community based participatory research
look phase
think phase
act phase
look phase
getting to know stakeholders - define problem on their terms reflecting community
think phase
interpretation and analysis of what was learned in the look phase
act phase
planning, implementing, and evaluating, based on information collected and interpreted in the other phases
goal of community based participatory research
democratic process through which members of a group identify a problem, collect/analyze data, and then formulate solutions to effect social/ political transformation
ethical concerns in qualitative research
naturalistic setting
-some researchers may believe consent is not always possible/necessary

respect for human participants and efforts to collect meaningful data MUST be balanced and continuously negotiated

researcher-participant interaction
-relationship developed may blur the focus of interaction

researcher experience may become a therapeutic experience
issues in qualitative research
emergent nature of design (plan for ? and observation)
-difficult to inform participant precisely of all potential threats before consent

participant must be offered the opportunity to renegotiate consent as the study progresses
credibility in qualitative research
truth of findings as judges by participants and others within the discipline
-researcher returns to the participants to share their interpretation of findings
auditability (qual)
-adequacy of information leading the researcher from research question and raw data to the interpretation of findings
-should be able to follow the reasoning of the researcher step by step
fittingness (qual)
faithfulness to everyday reality of the participants, described enough detail so that others in the discipline can evaluate importance
-experience being reported should "ring true"
triangulation (qual)
expansion of research methods in a single study or in multiple studies to enhance diversity, enrich understanding, and accomplish specific goals
-using 2 pieces of info to find a third, unique findings by combining research methods
computer management of data (qual)
-various computer programs are available to assist in the sorting, coding, and synthesizing of data
-these programs do not analyze data but allow the researcher to organize and group data more easily
issues synthesizing qualitative evidence
-meta synthesis is a type of systematic review
meta analysis
integrates qualitative research findings and is based on comparative analysis and interpretive synthesis of qualitative research findings
-seeks to retain essence and unique contribution of each study
ask this when identifying phenomenon
-is it focused on human experience within a natural setting
-is the phenomenon relevant to nursing and/or health
question to ask when identifying research question
-does it specify distinct process to be studies
-does it identify context of process studied
-does choice of a specific qualitative method fit with the research question
asking about researchers perspective
-are biases of researchers reported
-do researchers provide a structure of ideas that reflect their beliefs
what should sample section answer
is it clear that selected sample is living the phenomenon of interest
data gathering should answer
-are data sources and methods for gathering data specified?
-is there evidence that participant consent is an integral part of the data gathering process
describing findings should answer
-are examples provided to guide reader from raw data to researchers synthesis
-does researcher link findings to existing theory or literature -- or is a new theory generated?
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