Qualitative Research and Observing Behavior

Some review… Science is empirical = based on experience Science is empirical = based on experience historically, psychology was founded on the study of human experience historically, psychology was founded on the study of human experience e.g. William James and the Stream of Consciousness, Wundt and introspection e.g. William James and the Stream of Consciousness, Wundt and introspection

Impact of Behaviorism emphasis on measurable, observable data emphasis on measurable, observable data very quantitative in nature… very quantitative in nature… …though not exclusively …though not exclusively

A comparison Sue’s cumulative GPA = 3.21 Sue’s cumulative GPA = 3.21 Sue is a very bright but rather undisciplined student. She shows a great deal of curiosity and passion for specific subjects, periodically displaying brilliant insight far beyond what is typical of undergraduates. She also tends to avoid routine work and is often disorganized. Sue is a very bright but rather undisciplined student. She shows a great deal of curiosity and passion for specific subjects, periodically displaying brilliant insight far beyond what is typical of undergraduates. She also tends to avoid routine work and is often disorganized.

Quantitative Approach Numerical in nature Numerical in nature Tends to approach a population Tends to approach a population Uses objective measurement Uses objective measurement Often makes predictions Often makes predictions

Qualitative Approach Verbal or image-based data Verbal or image-based data has an individual focus has an individual focus Subjective reports Subjective reports Goal is to find meaning or understanding of a phenomenon Goal is to find meaning or understanding of a phenomenon phenomenological view phenomenological view

Which approach to use? It depends on the question being asked It depends on the question being askedExamples: Are children of parents who suffer from depression more likely to experience depression themselves? Are children of parents who suffer from depression more likely to experience depression themselves? Why do people seek help for depression? Why do people seek help for depression? What percentage of older adults suffer from depression? What percentage of older adults suffer from depression? What is it like to live with a depressed spouse? What is it like to live with a depressed spouse?

Collecting qualitative data Use open ended questions. Use open ended questions. Allow person to put experience in their own words. Allow person to put experience in their own words. Describe what you see, rather than look for particular behaviors. Describe what you see, rather than look for particular behaviors. Keep detailed notes. Keep detailed notes.

Coding qualitative data might have preconceived categories might have preconceived categories might look for emerging themes in the data might look for emerging themes in the data

Limitations of qualitative research generalizability generalizability prediction prediction

Qualitative Data Collection Naturalistic/Laboratory Observation Naturalistic/Laboratory Observation Archival Data Archival Data Interview/Survey Interview/Survey Survey Survey

Interview

Limitations of Observation Participation Nonparticipant = outsider Participant = loses objectivity Concealment can minimize reactivity…..but nonconcealed observation may be preferable from an ethics viewpoint

Qualitative Methods Case Study Case Study Phenomenological Inquiry Phenomenological Inquiry Grounded Theory Grounded Theory Ethnography Ethnography

Case Studies Case studies are done when an individual possesses a particularly rare, unusual, or noteworthy condition. A psychobiography is a type of case study in which a researcher applies psychological theory to explain the life of an individual Includes interview, observation, archival data, and perhaps other quantitative measures Includes interview, observation, archival data, and perhaps other quantitative measures

Phenomenological Inquiry What is this human experience like? What is this human experience like? assumes human experience is unique and subjective assumes human experience is unique and subjective importance of bracketting importance of bracketting can use interview and archival data can use interview and archival data

Grounded Theory Might ask “How does this happen?” or “Why does this occur?” Might ask “How does this happen?” or “Why does this occur?” observations and interviews aid understanding observations and interviews aid understanding goal is that theory will emerge that is grounded in the data goal is that theory will emerge that is grounded in the data

Ethnography study of a culture from the perspective of individuals in that culture study of a culture from the perspective of individuals in that culture important to recognize own cultural biases and lens important to recognize own cultural biases and lens interview, observation, archival data interview, observation, archival data