Deck 12: Qualitative Research Methods

Question 1

A researcher is interested in studying the experiences of gay (G), lesbian (L), and transgender (T) youth in the middle school setting. With parental consent and the students' assent to participate, the researcher provided a group of 12 students with disposable digital cameras and had them each take 15 photos that illustrated their experiences, both positive and negative, as a GLT adolescent. The researcher then developed the photos and asked participants to discuss what they documented. This is an example of what type of qualitative data collection technique?

A)Thick description
B)Photovoice or photo novella
C)Participatory research
D)Data immersion

Answer 1

Photovoice or photo novella

Question 2

What is the typical size and duration of a focus group interview?

A)4 to 12 participants; 3 1/2 hours
B)3 participants; 30 minutes
C)At least 12 participants; 3 hours
D)4 to 12 participants; 45 minutes to 2 hours

Answer 2

4 to 12 participants; 45 minutes to 2 hours

Question 3

Which of the following are true statements about the qualitative research methodology?

A)Inductive reasoning is used in the data analysis process.
B)Qualitative analyses involve using words rather than numbers as the basis of analysis.
C)The researcher who is more sensitive to the participant's feelings is able, through empathy, to make the participant feel valued and to establish rapport.
D)The CAQDAS computer program converts qualitative data to quantitative data, preparatory to statistical analysis.
E)As opposed to the case of quantitative research, qualitative researchers are able to modify sampling and data gathering processes once the study begins.
F)Part of using oneself as a data-collection instrument is being cognizant that it is not about the researcher: the focus is on the participant's perceptions and experiences.

Answer 3

Inductive reasoning is used in the data analysis process.
Qualitative analyses involve using words rather than numbers as the basis of analysis.
The researcher who is more sensitive to the participant's feelings is able, through empathy, to make the participant feel valued and to establish rapport.
As opposed to the case of quantitative research, qualitative researchers are able to modify sampling and data gathering processes once the study begins.
Part of using oneself as a data-collection instrument is being cognizant that it is not about the researcher: the focus is on the participant's perceptions and experiences.

Question 4

The role of the facilitator in focus group qualitative interviewing involves many techniques and skills. Indicate which of the following are appropriate to the role.

A)To question or challenge ideas and increase group interaction, once rapport has been established
B)To moderate the discussion
C)To contribute to the discussion
D)To ask participants to justify their positions, especially for controversial content
E)To use probes to elicit details, or to refocus the discussion
F)To clarify, paraphrase, and reflect back what group members have said
G)Late in the session, to encourage group members to go beyond the current discussion or debate and reflect on differences among the views of participants and inconsistencies within their own thinking
H)Set the stage by explaining to participants what the goal of the session is

Question 5

In addition to the aim or goal of the study, the purpose statement for a qualitative study should include the population, and often the setting. What else should be included in the qualitative purpose statement?

A)The phenomenon of interest
B)The justification for conducting the study
C)The theoretical framework used
D)The hypothesis

Question 6

Which statement related to sample size is true of qualitative methodologies?

A)An adequate sample size for qualitative research is between 25 and 50 participants.
B)Samples used in qualitative research are typically much larger than in quantitative research.c.The size of the qualitative sample to be used is decided upon in the design phase of a study.
D)The criterion of data saturation, or theoretical sufficiency, is used to determine the point at which the sample size is adequate.

Question 7

If a researcher decides to transcribe a recorded one-hour interview or focus group in order to better understand the data and the views expressed by the participants, the researcher might need to spend up to how much time creating a verbatim transcript?

A)2 hours
B)5 hours
C)6 hours
D)8 hours

Question 8

Which of the following are accurate statements about the interview process used by qualitative researchers?

A)During the interview, participants should be discouraged from talking about anything that is not on the interview schedule.
B)In qualitative research, the interview is a cooperative and interactive process.
C)The interviewer should dress in either business attire or a nursing uniform when conducting interviews or focus groups.
D)When a study participant cries or expresses strong emotion, the researcher should stay with the person and display empathy while listening to what the participant has to say.
E)For the novice researcher, preparation for interviewing includes becoming familiar with the philosophical base of the method chosen.
F)Persons experienced in qualitative interviewing can provide the novice researcher information and guidance on techniques.

Question 9

Quantitative research study subjects are selected so that they are as representative of a population as possible. What is the principal reason behind the selection of qualitative study participants?

A)The participants are philosophically attuned to the use of narratives and narrative analysis as the best means to convey their experience to the researcher and to others.
B)The participants meet the requirements for involvement in the study that the researcher specified at the outset of the study's implementation.
C)The participants are as representative of the population as possible.
D)The participants have experienced the phenomenon of interest.

Question 10

What is the term that signifies the qualitative researcher's awareness of personal biases and past experiences that might influence the researcher's interpretation of participants' responses or other data, allowing accurate and honest assessment?

A)An etic view
B)Reflexivity
C)Bracketing
D)An emic view

Question 11

A clinical nurse at a large urban hospital decides to conduct a descriptive qualitative study related to staff nurses' perceptions of the causes of various types of violence against nurses in that facility. As part of the research design, the nurse hosts a series of focus groups with staff nurses during each of three shifts. What is considered the main advantage of using a focus group strategy as opposed to one-on-one interviews for data collection?

A)People from differing social and cultural backgrounds tend not to share information as well as those who have common experiences.
B)Focus groups allow full expression of individual voices and contrasting viewpoints, controlling bias.
C)Focus groups can be spontaneous, and they require little advance planning or forethought.
D)A focus group makes it possible to obtain the prevailing opinion of a small cluster of people in a fairly short period of time, as opposed to the strategy of one-to-one interviewing.

Question 12

Which of the following are true statements regarding data analysis in qualitative research?

A)Qualitative data analysis involves examining and interpreting data in order to elicit meaning, gain understanding, and develop knowledge.
B)Although qualitative data analysis may identify additional data that may need to be collected, once the data collection period is over, the researcher is discouraged from contacting participants again to gather additional information.
C)Data analysis in some types of qualitative research occurs concurrently with data collection.
D)Researchers "dwell with the data" by immersing themselves in transcripts, tapes, and interview notes, and then reflecting, to make sense not only of what participants have said but also of meanings underlying expressions, emphasis, and nonverbal communications.
E)In all qualitative methods, data are analyzed according to the theoretical connections of the study framework.
F)Qualitative researchers may defer the literature review until after data analysis is complete, to avoid bias.
G)Hypotheses guide qualitative data analysis.

Question 13

Choose the disadvantages to the use of Internet-based data collection.

A)It can be difficult to obtain consent.
B)It limits the sample to those who can read and write, use computers, and have Internet access.
C)It can be used only with quantitative research methods.
D)It can provide only a small number of participants.
E)Fewer and fewer studies are being conducted using Internet-based data, because of security concerns.

Question 14

Probing is a strategy used in interviews to:

A)Make it clear that the interviewer is in charge.
B)Limit the range of responses.
C)Elicit more information in a specific area.
D)Ensure a variety of interpretations of the question by different subjects.