Qualitative Research(the ridiculously short introduction)

Heather Moorefield-LangVirginia Tech

If you want to trly understand something, try to change it.

- Kurt Lewin

Question

What do you know about qualitative research?

Handout

Our Assumptions About Research

Truth Is Absolute. Truth Is Relative.

VOCABULARY

LINGO

JARGON

Our view of research is often shaped by language which

can be familiar or foreign to us

Based on NCLB, the school didn’t make

AYP according to SOLs. GRE has a weak

correlation to GPA

IMHO, my BFF is not LOL about the 411 on

her BF. 911!

My HokieSPA PID is not working in Scholar

VOCABULARY

LINGO

JARGON Familiar or Foreign?

What to Know About Qualitative Research

The goal of qualitative research is to achieve, as best as possible, understanding – a deep knowledge of a social setting or phenomenon. Understanding requires time in the field. -Creswell, 1998

Qualitative Research requires a desire to understand

Time makes more converts than reason.-Thomas Paine

Qualitative Research Requires Time in the Field

The creative person is willing to live with ambiguity.-Abe Tannenbaum

Qualitative Research Requires a Tolerance for Ambiguity

We were born to unite with our fellow men, andto join in community with the human race.

-Cicero

Qualitative Research requires community with those we research

Qualitative Methods

Interviews

• Conversation with a purpose• Participants views are valuable and useful• There to listen, not to talk• There to yield data in quantity quickly• Cooperation is necessary• Interviewer is involved with participants

Example for Libraries

• Interviewing instructional librarians in how they incorporate technology into their teaching.

Ideas?

Focus Groups

• Also interview based but with groups• Usually range from 4-12 in number• Large amounts of data• Can be very useful• Method is socially oriented• Have to be careful of Groupthink. Everyone of

agreeing, or overpowering others in thought

Example for Libraries

• Focus group of students on ideas in how to use empty classroom space in library

Ideas?

Questionnaires

• Standardized format• Very similar to surveys• Typically contain open ended content• Useful in gaining a sample• Useful in narrowing a large group down to a small

(for interviews, focus groups, etc)• Rapid data• Poor return rates unless you are aggressive in

collection

Example for Libraries

• How librarians use social media in their professional practice.

Ideas?

Case Studies

• Usually looking at groups of people or an organization

• Typically involves multiple qualitative methods (interviews, questionnaires, observations, document analysis, etc)

• Time consuming• Very involved• Small numbers of groups or orgs. Sometimes

only one

Examples for Libraries

• Case Study of the administrative practices of minority female deans of libraries.

Ideas?

Observations

• Popular Qualitative Method• Noting and recording events and behaviors • Commonly referred to as “Field Notes”• Observer is meant to blend in, not to be a part

of the environment• Observer is looking for recurring behaviors,

patterns. • Have to be in the moment, always

Example for Libraries

• Observing student use of learning commons areas.

Ideas?

Ethnography

• Looking at cultural data• Culture through the participant’s perspective• Rich narrative descriptions• Interviewer has to build rapport. Very

important in a cultural study• These types of study can be done with

photography and video as well. Very expressive

Example for Libraries

• Libraries in Appalachian Culture• Building of libraries in other countries

Ideas?

Phenomenology

• Study of lived experiences. A phenomenon!• Study a concept or phenomenon that a group

of people share• Focus on deep, lived situations• Very labor intensive• Can be highly emotional• Highly reflective• Connection and relationships commonly built

Example for Libraries

• Experiences of librarians who built the 4/16 collection or a similar collection in Archives

Ideas?

Narrative Inquiry/Text Analysis

• Sometimes spoken, sometimes written• Analysis of text• Participants can write or tell stories• Takes in depth listening skills• Can rely on journals, photos, autobiographical

writing, messages, and more• More story based

Example for Libraries

• Storyteller experiences• Stories of storytellers• Career choice of librarians

Ideas?

Qualitative Involves

• Good listening skills• Multiple devices for recording• Patience• Time• Desire to learn • Interest to be involved (What makes data

weak in some researchers opinion)

Proposal for Study Should Include

• Plan for Entry and Ethical Considerations• Data Collection Techniques• Data Recording Techniques• Strategies for Data Analysis• Management Plan/Timeline for final reporting

of study• IRB for University will have other items to

consider as well (Interview protocols, consent forms, email formats, etc)

Data Analysis

Data Can be Analyzed Multiple Ways

• By hand• Word Processing• Data Analysis Software

• No matter how you analyze your data you are always looking for themes or codes

By Hand

Word Processing

Software/Nvivo

Image courtesy of www.qsrinternational.com

Software/Atlas.ti

Image courtesy of www.atlasti.com/

Good Reads for Qualitative Research

Designing Qualitative Research: By Marshall and Rossman

Very down to earth, easy to use, user friendly. A great introduction.

Interviewing as Qualitative Research by Seidman.

If you are planning to interview this is a great short read. Some love it, some hate it but it’s a good one for interviews.

John Creswell

Denzin and Lincoln

Writing Literature Reviews by Galvan

Probably the best book I have encountered for writing literature reviews regardless of Qual or Quan. Incredibly User Friendly!

Decide you Want to go Qual?

Contact me• Heather Moorefield-Lang• hmlang@vt.edu• Happy to talk anytime about research,

methods, questions, plan, and more