Module 3: Qualitative Data Analysis

Which of the following is a primary characteristic of qualitative research?

• It focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis.
• It aims to quantify variables and test hypotheses.
• It emphasizes in-depth understanding, rich description, and interpretation of meanings.
• It typically involves large sample sizes for generalizability.

Answer explanation

Qualitative research explores complex phenomena in depth, seeking to understand underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. It generates non-numerical data like text, audio, and video.

Qualitative research is often described as:

• Deductive
• Objective and detached
• Exploratory and inductive
• Hypothesis-driven

Answer explanation

Qualitative research is generally exploratory, aiming to generate new theories or hypotheses from the data (inductive approach), rather than testing pre-existing ones.

Which of the following is a common qualitative research technique?

• Survey
• Experiment
• Focus Group Discussion
• Content Analysis (Quantitative)

Answer explanation

Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) are a prominent qualitative method involving a small group of people guided by a moderator to discuss a particular topic, aiming to gather collective opinions and insights.

What is the main purpose of a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) in qualitative research?

• To generalize findings to a larger population.
• To obtain precise numerical data for statistical analysis.
• To explore participants' perceptions, opinions, attitudes, and experiences in a group setting.
• To test cause-and-effect relationships between variables.

Answer explanation

FGDs are designed to elicit a range of perspectives and interactions among participants, providing rich qualitative data on specific issues.

When analyzing data from Focus Group Discussions, what is a key step?

• Performing t-tests or ANOVA.
• Identifying recurring themes, patterns, and insights from transcripts.
• Calculating means and standard deviations.
• Converting all data into numerical codes for SPSS.

Answer explanation

Analysis of FGD data primarily involves transcribing discussions and then systematically identifying, coding, and interpreting recurring themes, patterns, and insights to answer research questions.

Which of the following is a benefit of using Focus Group Discussions?

• High generalizability of findings.
• Ability to quantify opinions precisely.
• Opportunity to observe group dynamics and interaction.
• Minimal cost and time commitment.

Answer explanation

FGDs allow researchers to observe how opinions are formed, expressed, and influenced within a group, providing insights into social dynamics that individual interviews might miss.

What is a Case Study research method primarily used for?

• Conducting large-scale surveys.
• In-depth investigation of a single or a few instances of a phenomenon.
• Testing hypotheses with experimental manipulation.
• Comparing numerous variables across many subjects.

Answer explanation

A case study involves an intensive, in-depth investigation of a single entity (individual, group, organization, event) or a small number of entities, aiming for a holistic understanding of a complex issue.

Which type of data is most central to a Case Study analysis?

• Pre-coded numerical data from questionnaires.
• Statistical figures and percentages.
• Rich, detailed narratives, documents, interviews, and observations.
• Highly structured experimental results.

Answer explanation

Case studies rely on multiple sources of evidence to provide a comprehensive and detailed account, including interviews, documents, observations, and archival records, which are typically rich in narrative and descriptive data.

What is a common challenge in analyzing Case Study data?

• The simplicity of data coding.
• The need for precise mathematical models.
• Managing and synthesizing vast amounts of diverse, unstructured data.
• Lack of depth in data collected.

Answer explanation

Case studies often generate a large volume of varied qualitative data from multiple sources, making the process of organizing, coding, and synthesizing it into coherent themes and findings a significant challenge.

What does "triangulation" mean in the context of qualitative research, particularly in case studies?

• Using three different researchers to analyze the same data.
• Using three statistical tests to validate findings.
• Employing multiple data sources, methods, or investigators to enhance the credibility and validity of findings.
• Collecting data from three distinct geographical locations.

Answer explanation

Triangulation involves using multiple perspectives or approaches to study a phenomenon. In case studies, it often means drawing on different data sources (interviews, documents, observations) to confirm or corroborate findings, thereby increasing trustworthiness.