ARIN 2000

1
ARIN 2000

• Qualitative Research Methods

2
Lecture Overview

• Comparison of qualitative and quantitative
  researchstyles
• Overview of qualitative research methods
• Case Studies
• Participant Observation
• Action Research
• Validation Methods in Qualitative Research

3
Qualitative Research

• In qualitative research, the emphasis is on
  describing and understanding (Verstehen) rather
  than explaining and measuring.
• Qualitative research is predominantly used within
  the interpretive methodology (to investigate how
  social actors construct meaning)

4
Qualitative v. Quantitative
5
Qualitative v. Quantitative
6
Qualitative Research

• In qualitative research, the focus is on
• process rather than outcome (interested in
  studying social processes over time - researcher
  may spend considerable length of time living with
  the group or community they are studying)
• the actors perspective (the insider or emic
  view) is emphasised

7
Qualitative Research Methods

• Semi-structured interviewing
• Focus groups
• Observation field notes
• Document analysis (content analysis)
• Questionnaires
• Case studies, participant observation and action
  research can use any (or all) of these methods.

8
Case Studies

• A case study is an intensive investigation of a
  single unit
• Types of case study
• Individual case study detailed account of one
  person
• Community studies study of one or more
  communities
• Social group studies e.g. study of families,
  occupational groups etc
• Studies of organisations and institutions
• Studies of events
• Studies of countries or nations

9
Case Studies

• Analysing case study data establishing
  validity
• Using multiple sources of data and methods (eg
  multiple interviews, observation occasions,
  multiple informants, multiple researchers)
• Pattern matching patterns emerging from data
  matched with previously existing theories or
  alternative theories comparison with other case
  studies
• Explanation building generation of explanations
  about your case

10
Participant Observation

• Ethnographic research (from cultural
  anthropology) focus is on describing and
  understanding different cultures and societies -
  direct observation of behaviour
• ? Participant observation the researcher is a
  participant (or becomes a participant) in the
  group being studied
• Style of participant observation can vary from
  observer as participant to participant as
  observer- role of researcher can be disclosed to
  research subjects- research can be covert
  (undisclosed) - ethical issues?
• Example Participant observation of online
  role-playing games, chat rooms interactions,
  female students in a programming course

11
Action Research

• Action Research (Participatory action research)
• researcher is a change agent role and aim of
  researcher is to initiate and facilitate
  emancipatory change during the research process
  problem-solving approach
• Examples literacy programs, developing
  information systems
• subjects of research are defined as research
  participants
• action is planned and implemented in consultation
  with participants and in the interests of the
  participants

12
Action research process
Action research is a cyclical process
Diagnosing planning
Observationreflectionevaluation
Action
13
Action Research

• social verification and validation of data the
  responsibility of participants and researcher
  an ongoing process
• two-way education and learning process -
  participants learn from researcher researcher
  learns from participants
• fosters empowerment and autonomy among research
  subjects

14
Validation Methods in Qualitative Research

• Triangulation use of multiple methods and
  researchers (this can help overcome biases or
  deficiencies of individual methods and
  researchers)
• Comprehensive field notes so they can be
  re-analysed at a later date if necessary and used
  as evidence of findings
• Member checks - checking accuracy of data with
  subjects (are you representing their viewpoints
  accurately?)
• Peer review debate between two or more
  researchers to reach consensus
• Audit trial handing over data to independent
  researcher or supervisor

15
References

• ARIN 2000 Reader
• 3-3 Baskerville and Wood-Harper, A critical
  Perspective on Action Research as a Method for
  Information Systems Research
• 3-2 Tim May, Participant Observation
  perspectives and practice
• Fisher Reserve
• Earl Babbie, 2001, The Practice of Social
  Research, pp.314-332 and pp.270-81
• Lawrence Neuman, 2000, Social Research Methods,
  pp.344-378.