Qualitative Research and Data Analysis

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Qualitative Research and Data Analysis

• Prof Marcus Ormerod

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Qualitative Paradigms

• Usually concerned with a deep understanding of
  real world issues
• Hypothesis generating
• Insider researcher approach compatible
• Techniques can be developed as research unfolds
• Roots based in accepted scientific principles
• Emerged from Social Science research
• Still gaining credibility in some disciplines
• Criticised for its subjective nature

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Qualitative Techniques

• Survey (can also be quantitative)
• Case Study
• Action Research
• Archival analysis
• Grounded theory
• Participation observation
• Naturalistic enquiry

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Comments

• Bad studies have tarnished some methods
• Analysis techniques can lack robustness
• The study may not reveal what you were looking
  for, but others things may emerge
• Can lead to inductive logic breakthroughs
• Supports lateral thinking
• Uniqueness of study can prevent generalisation

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Qualitative research

• Research questions rather than hypothesis
• Do the questions raised form a coherent set?
• Are there too many issues covered for one
  research project?
• Are they answerable - specific, measurable,
  achievable
• Connect questions to appropriate methods

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• Will the right data flow from the methods chosen?
• What are the threats to validity?
• Do you need to triangulate your study?
• How much do you need to conform to the research
  discipline you are in?
• What is the sample from which the data will be
  drawn?

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Yin, R.K. (1994).
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Case study

• Cases can be anything you want to focus on
• Cases studied in their context and comparison can
  be made between them
• Gives chance for in-depth study
• Can use a variety of techniques to collect data
• The timing of cases needs to fit

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Archival/Documentary analysis

• Reviews existing documents and records
• Assumes you can get access to the records
• Assumes the documents are accurate reflection of
  what happened
• Weaker method if used on its own

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Action Research

• The researcher is involved in the situation and
  trying to resolve a problem, or implement a
  change
• More suitable to practitioners in the workplace
• Resolves practical problems
• Difficult for the novice researcher
• Needs the organisation to commit to the project

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Ethnographic research

• Seeks to understand the life and customs of
  people in a particular culture
• Involves participant observation
• Needs careful ethical consideration
• A very flexible approach is needed
• Difficult for the novice researcher

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Feminist/Emancipatory research

• Usually applied with research involving groups
  that are marginalised by a society
• Researching with, rather than on, a group
• Tendency towards qualitative data collection

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Grounded theory approach

• Not suitable for novice researchers
• Researcher immerses themselves in area to be
  studied in order to determine the research
  questions that emerge
• Requires careful coding and analysis of
  qualitative data

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Rigour in the research

• Credibility - comparable to internal validity
• Transferability - external validity
• Dependability - reliability
• Confirmability - is it objective

Robson, C. 1993 pp402-407
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Yin, R.K. (1994) p33
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Analysis

• Quasi-statistical - frequencies
• Patterns matrices, network maps, flow charts,
  diagrams, rich pictures
• Themes keywords and phrases, cross-cutting,
  differences
• Relationships people, activities, objects,
  processes
• Sequences order of events

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Approach to analysis

• Data reduction
• Coding data
• Adding comments, reflections

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Approach to analysis

• Data analysis and display
• Quasi-statistical - frequencies
• Patterns matrices, networks, maps, flow charts,
  diagrams, rich pictures,
• Themes keywords and phrases, compare and
  contrast
• Trends/Relationships people, activities,
  objects, processes
• Sequences order of events

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Approach to analysis

• (Possible further data collection requirement
  before moving to this next stage)
• Conclusion drawing and verification
• Synthesis of analysis into a small set of
  generalisations that cover the data
• Linking generalisations to literature

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Coding using computers

• Word
• Access
• Excel
• NVivo (specialist software package)