Deck 17: Analyzing and Reporting Qualitative Research

Question 1

The final step in qualitative data analysis is

A) organizing the data.
B) summarizing the data.
C) searching for patterns in the data.
D) interpreting the data.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

"Triangulation" in qualitative inquiry means

A) developing three alternatives to each null hypothesis.
B) attempting to get the observer, the observed subject, and a disinterested third party to reach consensus on the meaning of the data.
C) assessing the quality of observational data by having two observers simultaneously recording the behavior of one human subject.
D) using multiple sources of data, multiple observers, and/or multiple methods of data collection.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following is not a part of qualitative data analysis?

A) reducing the data
B) organizing the data
C) using tests of significance
D) coding the data

Answer 3

C

Question 4

A major difference in assessing external validity in quantitative and qualitative studies is that: in quantitative, the ____ makes the generalization; in qualitative studies, the ____ makes the generalization.

A) potential user; researcher
B) researcher; potential user
C) participant; researcher
D) potential user; participant

Question 5

Dependability in qualitative research is concerned with

A) consistency of results.
B) external validity.
C) the extent to which variation can be tracked or explained.
D) the extent to which the findings can be applied to other groups or contexts.

Question 6

Transferability in qualitative research is similar to____ in quantitative research.

A) internal validity.
B) external validity.
C) triangulation.
D) objectivity.

Question 7

Reliability in qualitative research is demonstrated through

A) being value-free.
B) tight control of the setting and independent variables.
C) trustworthiness techniques.
D) removing the experimenter from the setting.

Question 8

A classification of similar ideas and concepts in qualitative data analysis is called a

A) case.
B) comparison unit.
C) category.
D) code.

Question 9

Objectivity in quantitative research is analogous to ____ in qualitative research.

A) credibility
B) transferability
C) confirmability
D) reflexivity

Question 10

Internal validity is to quantitative research as ____ is to qualitative research.

A) transferability
B) confirmability
C) neutrality
D) credibility

Question 11

Internal validity in qualitative inquiry is enhanced by

A) the observer acting as the instrument.
B) repeating the observation.
C) member checks and participant feedback.
D) reducing threats such as pretesting and selection bias.

Question 12

The main purpose of coding is basically to

A) reduce the data.
B) identify patterns.
C) organize the data.
D) summarize the data

Question 13

In qualitative research, having multiple researchers collecting data independently is called

A) Investigator triangulation.
B) focusing the investigation on three aspects of the problem.
C) Multi- coder data analysis process.
D) Data triangulation.

Question 14

To enhance the interpretative adequacy in qualitative research, one uses

A) replication logic.
B) low-inference descriptors
C) reflexivity.
D) a and c

Question 15

Data analysis in qualitative research differs from quantitative data analysis in that

A) Data analysis in qualitative research is not started until after data collection is complete.
B) Data analysis in qualitative research may begin during the process of data collection.
C) Data analysis in the field may influence the direction a qualitative study takes.
D) a and c
E) b and c

Question 16

Categories in qualitative data analysis should be

A) distinct from one another.
B) internally consistent.
C) similar in theme.
D) a and b
E) a and c

Question 17

Qualitative data requiring analysis are typically in the form of

A) field notes.
B) interview transcripts.
C) documents.
D) audio-tapes.
E) All of these are true.

Question 18

Qualitative researchers check the credibility of their data by

A) the use of multiple sources of data.
B) prolonged engagement at the site.
C) spit-half, Cronbach alpha, and other reliability assessment procedures.
D) a and b
E) a, b, and c

Question 19

The best way for a qualitative researcher to reduce the potential for bias in a study is to use

A) reflexivity.
B) negative-case sampling.
C) thick, rich description.
D) a and b
E) b and c

Question 20

The first step in qualitative data analysis involves

A) summarizing the data.
B) stating the hypotheses.
C) writing reflective notes.
D) organizing the data.

Question 21

Qualitative research uses which approach to data analysis.

A) Deductive analysis
B) Inductive analysis
C) Replication logic
D) Etic and emic comparison

Question 22

The most important reason for using a team approach in qualitative research is that

A) the researcher has less to do in developing a research design and carrying out the study.
B) it increases the trustworthiness of the study.
C) it increases the generalizability of the study.
D) it establishes an audit trail.

Question 23

A level of abstraction beyond a category is known as a?

A) Construct
B) Finding
C) Theme
D) Super category

Question 24

Which of the following is not a characteristic of data analysis in qualitative research?

A) data are analyzed inductively.
B) data are analyzed statistically.
C) analysis focuses primarily on process.
D) purpose of analysis is to seek meaning.

Question 25

The appendix of a qualitative report should contain

A) review of literature.
B) sampling techniques used to select subjects.
C) results of any tests of significance that were used.
D) copies of interview schedules or other data-gathering procedures.

Question 26

One of the most widely used strategies for analyzing qualitative data is

A) cross case analysis.
B) constant comparison.
C) causal comparison.
D) deviant analysis

Question 27

The writer of a qualitative report who knows the journal to which he/she might want to submit the article should first

A) contact the editor of the journal.
B) examine recent issues of the journal.
C) decide on the length of the article.
D) set the date for publication.
E) select an alternative publication source.

Question 28

The first step in coding is referred to as

A) In vivo coding
B) Axial or open coding
C) Category coding
D) Apriori coding

Question 29

Which of the following is not a suggestion to guide the work of qualitative researchers?

A) Have an outside reader of your fieldnotes.
B) Look for points of conflict and contradictions in the data.
C) Try to study a group to which you already belong and with which you are familiar.
D) Allow as much time for data analysis as was required for data collection.

Question 30

To help a reader to vicariously experience the research setting and to understand how the conclusions of a qualitative study were reached, a qualitative report should

A) organize the report according to the hypotheses that guided the study.
B) use direct quotes and field note excerpts.
C) organize the data according to the order in which they were collected.
D) describe the data collection methods that were used.

Question 31

A qualitative researcher is analyzing data and comes across quotes and descriptions that provide a completely different perspective.These data represent

A) negative cases that should be considered.
B) discrepant cases that should be considered.
C) negative cases that should be ignored.
D) discrepant cases that should be ignored.

Question 32

Typically, in what section of a qualitative report is relevant research presented and discussed?

A) introduction
B) research design
C) methods
D) appendix

Question 33

According to the text, which one of the following is not a criterion for evaluating a research design in qualitative inquiry?

A) informational adequacy
B) generalizability
C) efficiency
D) ethical acceptability

Question 34

To counterbalance the tendency to hold on to first impressions or hunches about the data, a qualitative researcher uses

A) negative case and discrepant data analysis.
B) constant comparison and correlational data analysis.
C) negative case and cross case analysis.
D) constant comparison and member checks.

Question 35

Which of the following is not a characteristic of qualitative research reports?

A) First-person voice is acceptable.
B) A prescribed, formal style is used.
C) Non-technical language is typical.
D) Participants' thoughts may be reported in their own words.

Question 36

In the constant comparative method of data analysis, the researcher does each of the following except

A) tests the a priori hypotheses of the study.
B) compares each unit of meaning to other selected units of meaning.
C) sets up new categories if similar units are not found.
D) looks for relationships across categories.

Question 37

In qualitative data analysis, one reads through the data and looks for words/phrases, ways of thinking, and events that appear regularly and seem to be important.These units of meaning are referred to as

A) reflections.
B) categories.
C) deviation cases.
D) matrix patterns.

Question 38

What type of category might be anticipated and established prior to data collection?

A) Substantive category
B) Organizational category
C) Theoretical category
D) None

Question 39

The interpretation of qualitative data is influenced by the researcher's

A) personal background.
B) theoretical orientation.
C) intellectual skills.
D) All of these are true.

Question 40

Which of the following is not a suggested strategy to aid in developing codes?

A) Examining silence
B) Setting aside personal experience
C) Using the flip-flop technique
D) Thinking in metaphors or similes

Question 41

Technology is used in qualitative analysis to

A) store and manage data.
B) search for and retrieve data.
C) help show relationships.
D) All of these are true.

Question 42

Confirmability and objectivity both address the concept of

A) the neutrality of the study.
B) the dependability of the study.
C) the credibility of the study.
D) the reliability of the study.

Question 43

Plausibility refers to

A) the degree to which findings can be applied to other contexts or groups.
B) the degree to which a theoretical explanation fits the data and is defensible.
C) the degree or relationship between the investigator and the informants.
D) the degree to which the behavior of the subjects under study is consistent.

Question 44

Criterion used to look at dependability in a qualitative study include

A) documentation.
B) corroboration.
C) coding agreement.
D) All of these are true.

Question 45

Replication logic involves

A) conducting the same study in multiple locations or with multiple groups.
B) having two investigators divide the data, analyze it independently and compare.
C) randomly selecting transcripts and asking a peer to code them.
D) documenting how a study was conducted.

Question 46

Threats to transferability in a qualitative study include

A) selection effects.
B) setting effects.
C) history effects.
D) All of these are true.

Question 47

In which section of a typical qualitative report would you find the steps taken to ensure trustworthiness of the data?

A) Abstract
B) Introduction
C) Research design
D) Methods
E) Implications

Question 48

Which of the following is more likely to be in a quantitative report compared to a qualitative report

A) Visual representations
B) Data tables
C) Participant quotes
D) Researcher reflections.

Question 49

In which section of a typical qualitative report would you find the meaning of the reported outcomes?

A) Abstract
B) Introduction
C) Research design
D) Methods
E) Implications

Question 50

Strategies for demonstrating corroboration in qualitative studies include

A) data triangulation.
B) methods triangulation.
C) interdisciplinary triangulation.
D) a and b
E) b and c

Question 51

In which section of a typical qualitative report would the instruments used to gather the data be described?

A) Abstract
B) Introduction
C) Research design
D) Methods
E) Implications

Question 52

In which section of a typical qualitative report would you find a description of the participants?

A) Abstract
B) Introduction
C) Research design
D) Methods
E) Implications

Question 53

Theoretical adequacy may be enhanced by

A) extended fieldwork.
B) interdisciplinary triangulation.
C) pattern matching.
D) All of these are true.

Question 54

A strategy used by researchers to examine a study to determine the dependability of procedures and the confirmability of findings is the

A) literature comparison.
B) reflective statement.
C) audit trail.
D) cross-case comparison.

Question 55

Reactivity is a more serious threat in studies involving

A) observations.
B) interviews.
C) document analysis.
D) All of these are true.

Question 56

The term used in qualitative research to address the issue of consistency in the data is

A) Generalizability.
B) credibility.
C) dependability.
D) confirmability.

Question 57

Credibility in qualitative research can be enhanced through techniques designed to demonstrate interpretive adequacy such as

A) member checks.
B) extended fieldwork.
C) reflexivity.
D) All of these are true.

Question 58

Strategies for enhancing credibility in a qualitative study do not include

A) methods triangulation
B) peer debriefing
C) pattern matching
D) audit trail

Question 59

Transferability of findings to another context depends on the "goodness of fit" between the context of the study and the other context.This is also known as

A) similarity
B) cross case comparison
C) Generalizability
D) descriptive adequacy

Question 60

In which section of a typical qualitative report would you find a statement of the focus of inquiry?

A) Abstract
B) Introduction
C) Research design
D) Methods
E) Implications

Question 61

MATCHING
Match the procedures in qualitative research listed below with the descriptions of the procedures provided.
a.Data triangulation
b.Peer debriefing
c.Audit trail
d.Reflexivity
e.Replication logic
f.Cross-case comparison
g.Intra-rater agreement
h.Inter-rater agreement
i.Member checks
j.Stepwise regression
k.Negative case sampling
l.Methods triangulation
A researcher uses both phenomenological interviews and document analysis of participant's diaries as part of a research study

Question 62

When the researcher actively seeks discrepant information and considers alternative explanations, the type of evidence for credibility that is provided is known as

A) structural corroboration.
B) consensus.
C) referential adequacy.
D) theoretical adequacy.
E) control of bias.

Question 63

Technology can be used in qualitative research to

A) Store and manage data.
B) code.
C) Develop and test theories.
D) Retrieve data.
E) All of the above.

Question 64

Using a combination of data sources such as interviews, observation and documents is known as

A) methods triangulation.
B) data triangulation.
C) researcher triangulation.
D) evidence triangulation.

Question 65

MATCHING
Match the procedures in qualitative research listed below with the descriptions of the procedures provided.
a.Data triangulation
b.Peer debriefing
c.Audit trail
d.Reflexivity
e.Replication logic
f.Cross-case comparison
g.Intra-rater agreement
h.Inter-rater agreement
i.Member checks
j.Stepwise regression
k.Negative case sampling
l.Methods triangulation
Conducting the study in multiple locations or with multiple groups.

Question 66

When colleagues are provided with the raw data and the researcher's interpretation, and they agree that the researcher's interpretation is reasonable, the type of evidence for credibility that is provided is known as.

A) structural corroboration
B) consensus
C) referential adequacy
D) theoretical adequacy
E) control of bias

Question 67

The levels of data analysis in a qualitative study include all except

A) data pieces.
B) themes.
C) categories.
D) data points.

Question 68

Credibility is to qualitative research as ____ is to quantitative research.

A) internal validity
B) external validity
C) reliability
D) objectivity

Question 69

Low inference descriptors refers to the use of which of the following in a qualitative report

A) visual images.
B) descriptive language.
C) verbatim quotes.
D) concept maps.

Question 70

MATCHING
Match the procedures in qualitative research listed below with the descriptions of the procedures provided.
a.Data triangulation
b.Peer debriefing
c.Audit trail
d.Reflexivity
e.Replication logic
f.Cross-case comparison
g.Intra-rater agreement
h.Inter-rater agreement
i.Member checks
j.Stepwise regression
k.Negative case sampling
l.Methods triangulation
Keeping thorough notes and records of the exact data gathering, analysis, and interpretation procedures.

Question 71

Strategies for enhancing confirmability include all of the following except

A) audit trail.
B) triangulation.
C) replication.
D) peer review.
E) reflectivity.

Question 72

Extended fieldwork enhances credibility of a qualitative study because it

A) allows the researcher the time to observe a full range of behaviors or activities.
B) enables the researcher to gain the trust of participants and thus increase the likelihood of honest responses.
C) allows the informants to become accustomed to the researcher's presence and thus reduces the likelihood of different than normal behaviors being exhibited.
D) a and b
E) a, b and c

Question 73

When the research participants' viewpoints, thoughts, feelings, and experiences are accurately portrayed with thick, rich description the type of evidence for credibility that is provided is known as

A) structural corroboration
B) consensus
C) referential adequacy
D) theoretical adequacy
E) control of bias

Question 74

Validity based on consensus is primarily demonstrated through

A) peer debriefing.
B) investigator triangulation.
C) member checks.
D) a and b
E) a and c

Question 75

Trustworthiness is to qualitative research as ____ is to quantitative research.

A) internal validity
B) external validity
C) reliability
D) objectivity

Question 76

Confirmability is to qualitative research as ____ is to quantitative research.

A) internal validity
B) external validity
C) reliability
D) objectivity

Question 77

When different interviews, related documents, and recollections produce the same descriptions of an event, the type of evidence for credibility that is provided is known as.

A) structural corroboration
B) consensus
C) referential adequacy
D) theoretical adequacy
E) control of bias

Question 78

MATCHING
Match the procedures in qualitative research listed below with the descriptions of the procedures provided.
a.Data triangulation
b.Peer debriefing
c.Audit trail
d.Reflexivity
e.Replication logic
f.Cross-case comparison
g.Intra-rater agreement
h.Inter-rater agreement
i.Member checks
j.Stepwise regression
k.Negative case sampling
l.Methods triangulation
A researcher analyzes the data, sets it aside for a period of time, then comes back and repeats the analysis, and compares the two.

Question 79

When the general explanation developed from the study is judged to fit the data gathered and is plausible, the type of evidence for credibility that is provided is known as

A) structural corroboration.
B) consensus.
C) referential adequacy.
D) theoretical adequacy.
E) control of bias.

Question 80

Pattern matching involves

A) making predictions based on theory and determining whether the data match the prediction.
B) reviewing the coded data to see which pieces of data match.
C) intentionally seeking examples that confirm the researcher's beliefs.
D) None of these are true.
E) All of these are true.