Qualitative

Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative

Research
Types of Qualitative Research
Data Collection in Qualitative Studies
Sample Size in Qualitative Studies
Reliability and Validity of data
Analysis
Critiquing

Quantitative--based on manipulation and control,

results verified by sense data (by the researcher)

Qualitative--based on insights and understandings

about individual perception of events (by the
subjects)

Quantitative research--rich, real and valid data ,

hard, replicable and reliable data, deductive, theory
testing approach, whereas:
Qualitative research
in-depth descriptions of people or events
researcher focuses on patterns and themes, rather
than the testing of hypotheses
Inductive approach--open to new ideas and theories
not as well circumscribed as quantitative and more
difficult for novice

Phenomenological Studies
Ethnographic Studies
Grounded Theory Studies
Historical Studies
Case Studies

Examine human experiences through the

descriptions of the people involved-- lived
experiences
Involves the qualities of humanness, e.g.:
individualism
self determination
wholeness
uniqueness
open system

In order to understand others lived

experiences the researcher must first
determine what she expects and deliberately
put this aside.
Example, bereft mother of SIDs infant-researcher says what would I feel and then
put that feeling aside

No preconceived notions
Researchers must dwell with the subjects
descriptions
Grounded in philosophy

Collection of data and analysis about cultural

groups
Explaining how actions in one world make sense
from the point of view of another world
The systematic process of observing, detailing,
documenting, the lifeways of one culture in
order to understand our own.

Researcher goes native and lives with and adopts the

culture of another.
Interview key informants about the meaning of
cultural rites and rituals.
Participant

observation

interviews
genealogy
demography
life

histories

New questions emerge as data is analyzed.

The nurse can explore health care from the

point of view of health care consumers.

Developed by Glaser and Strauss

Data are collected and analyzed and then a theory

is developed that is grounded in the data.
A major source of theory development

The process by which data collection and

analysis occur simultaneously--new data is
compared to that which has already been
gathered. Pertinent concepts are assigned
codes which are reviewed with new data and
interpretations.(soothing, placating,
asserting)
Literature consulted to determine if these
codes have been identified before--no
preliminary review avoids premature
closure.(problem with early ROL)

Identification, Location, Evaluation and

Synthesis of data from the past to connect
past happenings to the present and
future.
Problem

identified
Literature reviewed
Research questions formulated
Data collected and analyzed.

The researcher becomes a detective

Documents (newspapers, journals, legal

documents, diaries)
relics
artifacts
photographs
oral history

Oral histories
Written records
Diaries
Eyewitnesses
Photographs
Physical evidence

External Criticism--authenticity of the data

Internal Criticism--accuracy of the data

In-depth examinations of people or groups of

people. Organizations, services or experiences
may be the focus.
May be qualitative or quantitative
Content Analysis used to examine themes
Selection bias and attrition may be difficulties.

No specified time or end point

Methods
semistructured interviews
participant observation
focus groups, etc.
Saturation
Data become redundant, no new information
generated

No set sample size (N)

Usually smaller than quantitative
Most qualitative samples range from 6-30

No rigor, objectivity, nor replicability

Relevance of findings more important
Triangulation of data sought for reliability
Saturation used for both reliability and
validity

Compared by the grading of multiple choice

(quantitative) to essay (qualitative) exams
word analysis
content analysis
identification of themes
on going and circular