CHAPTER 12 Qualitative Research: A Snapshot on Qualitative Data Analysis Understanding Statistics for International Social Work and Other Behavioral Sciences Serge Lee, Maria C. Silveira Nunes Dinis, Lois Lowe, and Kelly Anders (2015). Oxford University Press
OVERVIEW As human societies become more globalized, the traditional way of just doing quantitative research is no longer perceived as “that is it” Collecting data in the form of words that help explain meaning can be quite insightful Words allow flexibility to incorporate observations and use subjectivity to generate deeper understanding of the meaning of human experiences Findings from quantitative research are not generalizable between the data set of the sample group and the population in which the sample was drawn
TYPICAL DATA COLLECTION PROTOCOL No scientific assumptions or statistics rules regarding data collection procedures Use fieldwork or field notes from classical anthropological research Use field notes as memos or texts Consider mixed methods Use clear, open-ended, not double-barrel questions, and no prejudicial questions
THE FIVE CATEGORIES TO OBSERVE AND RECORD I. The setting. General physical and social setting of field being observed/studied. II. The people and its geographical setting. Describe the main characters that are the focus of the observation/study. III. Individual actions and activities. Individual behaviors IV. Group behavior V. Meaning and perspectives. Lee, Dinis, Lowe, Anders (2015). Understanding statistics for international social work and other behavioral sciences. Oxford University Press
QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS PROTOCOL Discovering patterns. Discovering patterns includes frequency, magnitude, structures, process, cause, and consequences. Content analysis. Content analysis includes manifest content, latent content, semiotics, and conversational Data analysis protocol may include: