Summary Qualitative methods Mare 2019
Week 1 Brennen chapter 1 & 2
Qualitative research Does not provide us with easy answers, simple truths or precise
measurements. It can be controversial, contradictory and
ambiguous. However, it can also be insightful, enlightening,
emancipatory and fascinating.
interdisciplinary, interpretive, political and theoretical
Cultural approach to Understands the communication process as a means of
communication production that is based is produced within a specific context by
individuals and groups. is it through use of language that we
make meaning and construct our own realities?
More insightful research in Drew relevance and strength from the power of language,
media explanations and credibility
Paradigms Intellectual maps and models to help represent philosophical
worldviews. Provide a set of views and beliefs that researchers
use to guide their work.
Three conceptual elements of Epistemology: how do we know the world? What is the
a paradigm relationship between the inquirer and the known?
Ontology: raises basic questions about the nature of
reality
Methodology: focuses on how we gain knowledge about
the world
some researchers prefere not to see a paradigm but an
interndisciplinary theoretical response to and reaction against,
quantitative social science research
Guba and Lincoln Positivism: consider reality to exist and scientific truth to
qualitative research be knowable and findable through rigorous testing that is
influenced by several free from human bias. The aim focuses on explanation,
paradigms prediction and control while knowledge accumulates as
blocks in the form of “generalizations or cause-effect
linkages”
Post-positivism: quite similar to Positivism. However, it
responds to recent criticisms of Positivism in a few key
areas. Post-Positivists consider that because people are
flawed, they may not be able actually to understand it.
Post-Positivists use a variety of experimental methods,
including some qualitative methods, in an effort to falsify
their hypotheses.
Constructivism & critical theories: incorporate various
non Positivist alternative worldviews that blend research
issues and theoretical positions, blur disciplinary
boundaries and draw upon all types of qualitative
methodologies. They include a variety of theoretical
positions. Constructivism represents a theoretical shift
regarding the concept of reality from realism to
relativism.
Participatory/Cooperative Inquiry: is a transformative
perspective that emphasizes the subjectivity of practical
, knowledge and the collaborative nature of research.
Transmission view envisions communication as a process of sending, transmitting or
delivering information in order to control others. transmission
view focuses on sending messages over distances in order to
distribute common knowledge and ideas.
The ritual view associates the communication process with the ancient notion of
communion. People share customs, beliefs, ideas and
experiences, a process that reinforces and maintains a common
culture.
Language Fundamental aspect of all qualitative research. It is through our
discourse—or, in other words, our writing and speaking—that we
communicate ideas and information, create communities and
construct our social realities.
Ethics Individuals who participate in qualitative research projects must
voluntarily agree to participate in the studies without any
psychological or physical pressure, manipulation or coercion.
When appropriate, participants’ privacy and confidentiality
should be protected and secured, and all qualitative research
should be based on authentic and accurate research.
5 phases of the research 1. Choosing a topic of study
process 2. Constructing a research question and picking a
3. method of analysis based on an interpretive paradigm or
theoretical framework
4. Gathering evidence and interpreting evidence
5. Crafting a research report.
Research questions Should be open-ended
Encouraging to understand variety of responses,
experiences and connections
Context Central part of the interpretative process and researches must
place their interpretation within the relevant historical, cultural,
political and/or economic context.
Research report primarily descriptive in nature, many are analytical, drawing on
concepts and theories to analyze and interpret key findings.
Pauly research presented The realist tale: write in the third person, a strategy that
with one of the main conveys a sense of neutrality, impartiality and objectivity.
strategies The confessional tale: describe their own experiences,
often in the first person, to help understand their
personal cultural journeys in conducting the studies
The impressionist tale: attempt to challenge readers’
assumptions and expectations, and focus on the text’s
role in our interpretations
Elements of research report Introduction: addresses the theoretical framework used
to guide the research project.
Research Question(s)
Theoretical Framework
Literature Review
Methodology
, Analysis, Interpretations and Commentary: This section is
the most indepth portion of the research, and the
analysis should interact with conceptual issues and
respond to previous studies addressed in the literature
review.
Conclusion
References