scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Book

Qualitative research & evaluation methods

01 Jan 2002-Iss: 1
TL;DR: In this paper, conceptual issues and themes on qualitative research and evaluaton methods including: qualitative data, triangulated inquiry, qualitative inquiry, constructivism, constructionism, complexity (chaos) theory, qualitative designs and data collection, fieldwork strategies, interviewing, tape-recording, ethical issues, analysis, interpretation and reporting, observations vs. perceived impacts and utilisation-focused evaluation reporting.
Abstract: This book explains clearly conceptual issues and themes on qualitative research and evaluaton methods including: qualitative data, triangulated inquiry, qualitative inquiry, constructivism, constructionism, Complexity (chaos) theory, qualitative designs and data collection, fieldwork strategies, interviewing, tape-recording, ethical issues, analysis, interpretation and reporting, observations vs. perceived impacts and utilisation-focused evaluation reporting.
Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A critical reflection upon the two doctoral pedagogies as they relate to experiences of doctoral candidates as intentional learners, doctoral students' engagement with information, and information literacy learning is posed.
Abstract: This paper centers on doctoral-level education candidates in the United States and Australia and their realms of engagement with information. On the basis of in-depth interviews with American and Australian doctoral students and academic librarians, we pose a critical reflection upon the two doctoral pedagogies as they relate to experiences of doctoral candidates as intentional learners, doctoral students' engagement with information, and information literacy learning. Rather than viewing commencing doctoral students as information deficient, we prefer to value their experiences, their profiles, and the ways that existing understandings about information shape their information engagements.

65 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a mixed-methods evaluation model based on the qualitative method phenomenography is proposed to evaluate how learners think in multiple contexts, from skills training to employee development to higher education, and how their thinking may change over time.
Abstract: Increasing calls for accountability in education have promoted improvements in quantitative evaluation approaches that measure student performance; however, this has often been to the detriment of qualitative approaches, reducing the richness of educational evaluation as an enterprise. In this article the authors assert that it is not merely performance but also how learners think and how their thinking changes that we should be measuring in educational program evaluation. They describe a mixed-methods evaluation model based on the qualitative method phenomenography that can be used to evaluate how learners think in multiple contexts, from skills training to employee development to higher education, and how their thinking may change over time. They then describe two evaluation studies making use of this approach and provide suggestions for evaluators interested in using the phenomenographic model.

65 citations


Cites methods from "Qualitative research & evaluation m..."

  • ...We used a semistructured interview guide, which encouraged students to talk about issues important to them that related to the research question, even if those issues were not explicitly addressed in the interview guide (Patton, 2002)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In the context of the growing popularity of the ethical consumer movement and the appearance of different types of ethical collective communities, this paper explored the meanings drawn from the participation in Responsible Consumption Cooperatives and found that ethical consumption in a group project offers a greater sense of effectiveness and control when compared to individual actions.
Abstract: In the context of the growing popularity of the ethical consumer movement and the appearance of different types of ethical collective communities, the current article explores the meanings drawn from the participation in Responsible Consumption Cooperatives. In existing research, the overriding focus has been on examining individual ethical consumer behaviour at the expense of advancing our understanding of how ethical consumers behave collectively. Hence, this article examines the meanings derived from participating in ethical consumer groups. A qualitative multi-method approach is adopted to increase the validity of findings. This includes focus groups, in-depth interviews, observation and document analysis. Results show that ethical consumption in a group project offers a greater sense of effectiveness and control when compared to individual actions. Furthermore, these groups facilitate the creation of a social circle and encourage new learning as a result of the social interaction that takes place in the ethical community of the cooperative.

65 citations


Cites background from "Qualitative research & evaluation m..."

  • ...Document Analysis Document analysis facilitated a broader understanding of how the cooperative members construct their reality through means of expression not co-produced with the researchers (Patton 2002)....

    [...]

  • ...Subsequently, the sampling decisions were based on theoretical sampling which focuses on selecting information rich cases that could further advance our knowledge (Patton 2002)....

    [...]

  • ...Document analysis facilitated a broader understanding of how the cooperative members construct their reality through means of expression not co-produced with the researchers (Patton 2002)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This qualitative study explored GPs' views of this role and factors influencing their engagement with cancer care, and found key needs included accessible competency training and mentoring for doctors unfamiliar with the system.
Abstract: Effective cancer care depends on inter-sectoral and inter-professional communication. General Practitioners (GPs) play a pivotal role in managing the health of most Australians, but their role in cancer care is unclear. This qualitative study explored GPs’ views of this role and factors influencing their engagement with cancer care. Twelve metropolitan and non-metropolitan GPs in Queensland, Australia, were recruited between April and May 2008, and three focus groups and one interview were conducted using open-ended questions. The transcripts were analysed thematically. The first theme, GPs’ perceptions of their role, comprised subthemes corresponding to four phases of the trajectory. The second theme, Enhancing GPs’ involvement in ongoing cancer care, comprised subthemes regarding enhanced communication and clarification of roles and expectations. GPs’ role in cancer care fluctuates between active advocacy during diagnosis and palliation, and ambivalent redundancy in between. The role is influenced by socioeconomic, clinical and geographical factors, patients’ expectations and GPs’ motivation. Not all participants wanted an enhanced role in cancer care, but all valued better specialist–GP communication. Role clarification is needed, together with greater mutual trust between GPs and specialists. Key needs included accessible competency training and mentoring for doctors unfamiliar with the system. Existing system barriers and workforce pressures in general practice must be addressed to improve the sharing of cancer care. Only one metropolitan focus group was conducted, so saturation of themes may not have been reached. The challenges of providing cancer care in busy metropolitan practices are multiplied in non-metropolitan settings with less accessible resources and where distance affects specialist communication. Non-metropolitan GPs learn from experience how to overcome referral and communication challenges. While the GPs identified solutions to their concerns, the role can be daunting. GPs are motivated to provide long-term care for their patients, but need to be acknowledged and supported by the health system.

65 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate that certain teams were found to work consistently well over the project due to homogeneity in personality type and others were finding to be very cohesive due to a mixture of types.
Abstract: The aim of the research described in this paper is to gain a qualitative understanding of how cohesiveness relates to personality type, performance and adherence to a particular software engineering methodology (XP). A variety of research methods were employed including ethnographic methods, questionnaires and interviews. An online personality test based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) was used to ascertain the personality types, and questionnaires were used throughout the project to measure levels of cohesiveness. Examples of how the teams worked together throughout the project are described, and whether and how this relates to the personality types of the individual members. The results indicate that certain teams were found to work consistently well over the project due to homogeneity in personality type and others were found to be very cohesive due to a mixture of types.

65 citations


Cites methods from "Qualitative research & evaluation m..."

  • ...Focus group interviews were chosen because they are the most appropriate method for studying attitudes and experiences, for exploring exactly how opinions are constructed (Kitzinger 1995 ), and understanding behaviours, values and feelings (Patton 2002 )....

    [...]

  • ...Focus group interviews were chosen because they are the most appropriate method for studying attitudes and experiences, for exploring exactly how opinions are constructed (Kitzinger 1995), and understanding behaviours, values and feelings (Patton 2002)....

    [...]