Question 1

Qualitative research uses which approach to data analysis.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research uses inductive analysis, which involves identifying patterns and themes in the data and developing theories or concepts based on those patterns. Deductive analysis, on the other hand, involves testing pre-existing theories or hypotheses using data. Replication logic involves repeating a study to test the generalizability of its findings. Etic and emic comparison involves comparing outsider and insider perspectives on a culture or phenomenon. While both etic and emic perspectives can be used in qualitative research, they do not relate to data analysis.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Using a team approach in qualitative research increases the trustworthiness of the study. This is because team members can provide multiple perspectives, help ensure that bias is minimized, and offer feedback on the research process and findings. The other options (A, C, and D) are not accurate reasons for using a team approach in qualitative research.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of A level of abstraction beyond a category...

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research typically does not involve statistical analysis, as it focuses on understanding the subjective experiences and perspectives of participants rather than quantifiable data. The other options (A, C, and D) are all characteristics of data analysis in qualitative research.

Question 5

The appendix of a qualitative report should contain

Accepted Answer

The appendix of a qualitative report should contain copies of interview schedules or other data-gathering procedures. Other information such as review of literature or sampling techniques can be included within the body of the report itself. Results of tests of significance are not typically used in qualitative research.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Constant comparison is a widely used and well-established strategy for analyzing qualitative data, particularly in grounded theory methodology. The idea behind constant comparison is that the researcher continually compares new data to previously analyzed data in order to develop categories and themes that emerge from the data. This process helps to ensure that the categories and themes are grounded in the data, rather than being imposed by the researcher. Cross case analysis involves comparing cases or instances of a phenomenon, and is often used to identify patterns or commonalities across cases. Causal comparison involves comparing different causal mechanisms or factors that contribute to a phenomenon. Deviant analysis involves analyzing cases or instances that are in some way unusual, unexpected, or divergent from the norm. While these strategies may also be useful for analyzing qualitative data, constant comparison is typically considered the most fundamental and widely used approach.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Examining recent issues of the journal will help the writer determine if the topic and writing style are appropriate for the journal. It will also give the writer an idea of the type of articles that are typically published in the journal. Contacting the editor comes later in the submission process, after the article has been written and formatted to the journal's requirements. Deciding on the length of the article and setting the date for publication are also steps that come later in the process. Selecting an alternative publication source should only be considered if the article is not suitable for the desired journal.

Question 8

The first step in coding is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The first step in coding is typically referred to as axial or open coding, which involves examining the data and identifying concepts or categories that emerge. In vivo coding involves using participants' exact words as codes, category coding involves organizing codes into higher-level categories, and apriori coding involves using pre-determined categories or theories as the basis for coding.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

The suggestion of studying a group to which one already belongs and with which they are familiar can actually present bias and hinder the ability to view the group objectively. The other options are all useful suggestions for qualitative researchers.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

Using direct quotes and field note excerpts allows the reader to directly and vividly experience the research setting and understand how the researcher arrived at their conclusions. Organizing the report according to hypotheses or the order of data collection can be less effective in creating this sense of immersion and understanding. Describing data collection methods is important but does not necessarily help the reader experience the research setting in a rich, immersive way.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Discrepant cases should be considered as they provide a different perspective that can help to enrich the analysis. It is important to explore these cases to gain a deeper understanding of the phenomenon being studied. Ignoring such cases could limit the validity and reliability of the research findings.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Relevant research is usually presented and discussed in the introduction section of a qualitative report, as it provides context and background information for the study.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Generalizability is not a criterion for evaluating a research design in qualitative inquiry, as qualitative research is not concerned with statistical generalization to a population, but rather with in-depth exploration of a phenomenon or context. The other criteria mentioned - informational adequacy, efficiency, and ethical acceptability - are commonly used to evaluate the quality of qualitative research designs.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

Negative case and discrepant data analysis allow the researcher to look for data that contradicts their initial assumptions or expectations, which helps to minimize the influence of bias and subjectivity. This is a key strategy to counterbalance the tendency to hold on to first impressions or hunches about the data. Constant comparison, cross case analysis, and member checks are also important techniques in qualitative research, but they do not address this specific issue in the same way as negative case and discrepant data analysis.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research reports typically do not have a prescribed, formal style. Instead, they use a more flexible writing style that allows for the use of first-person voice, non-technical language, and the reporting of participants' thoughts and experiences in their own words.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The constant comparative method of data analysis is a grounded theory approach that involves comparing each unit of meaning to other selected units of meaning in order to identify patterns and themes that emerge from the data. The researcher does not begin with preconceived hypotheses, as the goal is to derive theory from the data rather than to confirm a predetermined hypothesis. Therefore, option A, which suggests that the researcher tests a priori hypotheses of the study, is not consistent with this approach. Options B, C, and D are all accurate descriptions of the constant comparative method of data analysis.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

The units of meaning in qualitative data analysis are referred to as categories. Reflections are personal thoughts or contemplations, deviation cases are outliers or exceptions that may be explored separately, and matrix patterns are not commonly used in qualitative analysis.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Organizational categories are often anticipated and established prior to data collection to help organize and manage the data effectively.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

All of the given options are true. Interpretation of qualitative data is a subjective process, which is heavily influenced by the researcher's personal background, theoretical orientation, and intellectual skills. Therefore, the researcher's biases, assumptions, and preconceived notions can shape their interpretation of the data.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

Setting aside personal experience is not a suggested strategy to aid in developing codes. The other three options (examining silence, using the flip-flop technique, thinking in metaphors or similes) are all suggested strategies to aid in developing codes.

Quiz 17: Analyzing and Reporting Qualitative Research