Chapter 10

Critical realist perspective

A philosophical view that reality exists, but knowledge is constructed through multiple meanings.

Sensitizing concepts

A term coined by Blumer (1954) that is general references and guides about what to look for in the data. They are derived from themes or existing theories.

Thinking units

A term coined by Lofland and Lofland (1984) that is a simple framework or loose coding device used to make sense of the narratives.

Grounded theory

A type of inductive theory that is based on (grounded in) field observation. The researcher makes observations in natural settings and then formulates a tentative theory that explains those observations.

Audit trail

An all-inclusive document of the research process that can include field notes, memos etc. This record enhances the trustworthiness of your research.

Unstructured conversation

An informal "chat" where participants may forget that they are being interviewed and the conversation flows organically. It can be used in exploratory studies but is traditionally used during participant observation or ethnographies.

Semi-structured interview

An interview that may have standardized questions, but allows for unscheduled probes or spontaneous questions.

Focus group

An interview with a group of participants. This format is best for uncovering the perspective of a particular group where group dynamics between group members generate data.

Structured interview

An interview with a set of specific questions and answer choices. Consists of predetermined questions and answer sets. The questions and sometimes the answers are standardized

Unstructured interview

An open style of interviewing that is more akin to a conversation, but there may be a list of topical areas for discussion.

Diachronic delivery of data starts at the beginning and progresses:

Chronologically

Qualitative interview

Contrasted with survey interviewing, the qualitative interview is based on a set of topics to be discussed in depth rather than based on the use of standardized questions. It's more a verbal interaction between an interviewer and a participant where the interviewer has a general plan of inquiry.

T/F Reflexivity refers to objectivity in the interview process.

False

T/F Studying how people think is not an appropriate topic of study for a qualitative interview.

False

Themes

In grounded theory, they are higher-level concepts (usually derived from selective codes) that include a group of lower level concepts (usually from open coding).

Unstructured interview guide

Includes a list of topical areas that you want to cover in a conversation. While this guide is used as a reference, conversation still can flow freely.

The primary advantage of the unstructured interview is that it provides:

More breadth of information

The relationship between synchronic questions and time is:

Non existent

The most basic level of compensation for participating in research is:

Payments, goods, and services

A variety of approaches towards compensating research participants exist, one of the most rewarding is:

Providing them with a stake in the project

Which of the following is not a type of interview used in qualitative research:

Structured, semi-structured, and unstructured

Memoing

The act of writing documents about research decisions made such as adding a question or creating a code as well as personal feelings about the process.

Rapport

The connection between researcher and participants usually formed through informal conversation.

Reflexivity

The researcher's awareness of his/her perspectives, i.e. subjectivity, includes his/her personal biases.

Insider/outsider status

The researcher's level of closeness to the group of interest, with outsiders having little or no affiliation/relationship to the group. "Insiderness" may be through membership, connection or similarity to location in the social structure.

Interview schedule

The structure of the interview that may have predetermined questions or topical areas to be discussed with participants. It determines how in-depth and interactive you will be.

T/F A structured interview schedule refers to a predetermined question and answer set.

True

T/F Both structured and semi structured interviews have standardized questions.

True

T/F Qualitative data may be recorded through a variety of mediums.

True

Artificial group

a focus group that includes people selected according to some criteria and brought together for research purposes.

Ground theory stems from:

analysis of patterns and themes

Which of the following is not utilized in the process of gaining access to formal organizations:

cold call

Unstructured interviews taking the following shapes:

conversational shape

The first step in creating questions is typically what:

determining whom you will interview

Unstructured interviews are typically best for what kind of study

exploratory studies

The first step in gaining access to formal organizations is typically:

finding a sponsor

Natural group

individuals in the focus group may already be acquainted, have an existing connection, or shared cultural base.

Knowledge is typically constructed from:

multiple perspectives

Qualitative data interpretation is different than that of quantitative data interpretation in that it accepts:

multiple realities

High-caliber qualitative studies:

retain richness, recognize meaning, do not lose track of context

Gaining access to underground or illicit populations is best achieved through:

sponsors

What is a line of questioning relating to qualitative interviews?

tree-and-branch approach

Semi-structured interviews are helpful when:

two or more people are doing the interviewing

A primary advantage of the semi-structured interview when compared to the structured interview is that it allows:

unscheduled probes to be used