Qualitative research

About: Qualitative research is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 39957 publications have been published within this topic receiving 2390470 citations. The topic is also known as: Qualitative method.

Introduction to Research Methods in Education

Abstract: Introduction Theory and Method in Education Research The Contexts for Education Research Ethics in Educational Research Research Questions From Research Questions to Data Literature Searching and Reviewing Qualitative Research Design Collecting Qualitative Data The Analysis of Qualitative Data Quantitative Research Design Collecting Quantitative Data The Analysis of Quantitative Data Mixed Methods Research Research Writing

Focus-group interview and data analysis.

Abstract: In recent years focus-group interviews, as a means of qualitative data collection, have gained popularity amongst professionals within the health and social care arena. Despite this popularity, analysing qualitative data, particularly focus-group interviews, poses a challenge to most practitioner researchers. The present paper responds to the needs expressed by public health nutritionists, community dietitians and health development specialists following two training sessions organised collaboratively by the Health Development Agency, the Nutrition Society and the British Dietetic Association in 2003. The focus of the present paper is on the concepts and application of framework analysis, especially the use of Krueger's framework. It provides some practical steps for the analysis of individual data, as well as focus-group data using examples from the author's own research, in such a way as to assist the newcomer to qualitative research to engage with the methodology. Thus, it complements the papers by Draper (2004) and Fade (2004) that discuss in detail the complementary role of qualitative data in researching human behaviours, feelings and attitudes. Draper (2004) has provided theoretical and philosophical bases for qualitative data analysis. Fade (2004) has described interpretative phenomenology analysis as a method of analysing individual interview data. The present paper, using framework analysis concentrating on focus-group interviews, provides another approach to qualitative data analysis.

Qualitative Methods in Social Research

Abstract: 1. WHAT IS SOCIAL RESEARCH? SOME PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL CONCERNS / What Is Social Research? / Why Do Research? / Developing a Sociological Imagination / The Research Process: Moving Between Theories and Data / Paradigms / Traditional Approaches to Social Research (Positivism) / Challenges to Traditional Ways of Doing Social Science / You Are Here: Locating the Self in Social Research / Naturalism / Social Constructionist and Interpretive Approaches / Feminist and Other Critical Approaches / Postmodernism / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Suggestions for Further Reading 2. STRATEGIES FOR BEGINNING RESEARCH / Getting Started: Where to Begin? / Where Do Ideas Come From? / A Problem Is Always a Problem for Someone / Deciding What to Research / Developing a Research Strategy / Reading the Literature / Summary: The Research Process in View / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Additional Readings 3. ETHICAL ISSUES / Sleeping Well at Night: A Practical Ethics / Ethical Codes / Confidentiality and Informed Consent / Controversies in Social Research / Feminist Approaches to Research Ethics / Institutional Review Boards / Ethical Concerns in Qualitative Research / Practical Concerns in Protecting Privacy / Conclusion / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Suggestions for Further Reading 4. OBSERVATION: PARTICIPANT AND OTHERWISE / Participating and Observing / The Self as Instrument / Thinking About Settings: Selecting a Site / Getting In, Gaining Access / Emotions in The Field / Writing Field Notes / Leaving the Field / Focusing / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Suggestions for Further Reading 5. INTERVIEWS / Interviewing as a Relationship / Types Of Interviews / Closeness and Distance In Interview Situations / Developing Relationships / Getting Ready to Begin: Preparing For The Interview / Before the Interview / During the Interview / After The Interview / Group Interviews / Making Meaning / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Suggestions for Further Reading 6. UNOBTRUSIVE MEASURES: ANALYZING TEXTS AND MATERIAL ARTIFACTS / Physical Traces / Material Artifacts / Documents and Records / Electronic Texts / Historical Research / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Suggestions for Further Reading 7. ACTION RESEARCH / Varieties of Action Research / Research for Whom? / Empowerment / The Process of Action Research: Look, Think, Act / Identifying Stakeholders / Formulating a Collective Problem / Think: Exploring the Problem / Act: Defining an Agenda for Action / Sharing the Results / Some Problems and Opportunities in Action Research / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Suggestions for Further Reading 8. MAKING SENSE OF DATA / Making Sense of Qualitative Data: A Process of Making Meaning / Managing Data / Getting Intimate With Your Data / Coding / Memos / Asking Questions / Developing an Analysis / Content Analysis / Semiotic Analysis / Grounding the Analysis / Computer-Assisted Data Analysis / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Suggestions for Further Reading 9. NARRATIVE ANALYSIS / What Is a Narrative? / The Structure of Stories / Other Structures of Stories / Structure, Story, and Social Context / Some Practical Advice / Evaluating Narratives / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Suggestions for Further Reading 10. WRITING / Writing as a Process / Audiences and Venues / Useful Ways to Structure Qualitative Research / Making Writing Vivid / Other Genres of Qualitative Research / Questions for Thought / Exercises / Suggestions for Further Reading Appendix A American Sociological Association Code of Ethics Appendix B Sample Informed Consent Form References